Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S0524

Introduced
2/26/25  

Caption

Requires state use actual residences of persons in government custody for redistricting purposes. Information would be collected by the department of corrections and forwarded to the division of statewide planning, to be utilized for redistricting.

Impact

The expected impact of S0524 is significant, as it directly influences the composition of legislative districts based on accurate population data. By counting incarcerated individuals at their last known addresses prior to incarceration, the bill aims to correct what is seen as a distortion in population counts that can affect congressional districts, state legislative districts, and local government districts. This move seeks to promote equitable representation and address longstanding concerns about the disenfranchisement of communities with high incarceration rates.

Summary

S0524, known as the 'Residence of Individuals in Government Custody Act', seeks to amend the method of counting individuals in government custody for redistricting purposes in the state of Rhode Island. The bill mandates that these individuals be counted at their actual residences, instead of at the facilities where they are held. This legislative change aims to rectify the current practice where census data classifies incarcerated persons as residents of their places of incarceration, which does not accurately reflect their home addresses. The bill intends to ensure fair representation by utilizing the true residential locations of these individuals during the redistricting process.

Contention

Debates surrounding S0524 may spark contention regarding the implications of redefining residence for individuals in custody. Proponents of the bill argue that it is a necessary step toward equity, ensuring that all individuals are counted where they truly belong and thereby restoring fairness in representation. Critics, however, may express concerns that this redefinition could lead to unintended consequences, such as impacting the allocation of state and federal resources or creating challenges in accurately gathering data on this population. The bill's handling of sensitive data, especially regarding confidentiality of incarcerated individuals' demographics, may also raise privacy concerns.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI H7070

Requires state use actual residences of persons in government custody for redistricting purposes. Information would be collected by the department of corrections and forwarded to the secretary of state to be utilized for redistricting.

RI S0628

Residence Of Individuals In Government Custody Act

RI H5613

Residence Of Individuals In Government Custody Act

RI H7985

Requires the department of administration to publish a report to the speaker of the house, president of the senate, and secretary of housing evaluating the cost to establish and maintain a statewide geographic information system.

RI S2995

Requires, by January 1, 2026, the creation of an online, publicly available, comprehensive statewide geographic information system of land related resources to include information from all towns and cities.

RI H7205

Requires that Medicaid enrollment be maintained or provided to all inmates in the first 30 days of incarceration at the adult correctional institutions within the department of corrections and the last 30 days of incarceration.

RI S2354

Requires that Medicaid enrollment be maintained or provided to all inmates in the first 30 days of incarceration at the adult correctional institutions within the department of corrections and the last 30 days of incarceration when possible.

RI S2462

Establishes the restrictive housing oversight committee ("committee") for the purpose of monitoring the use of restrictive housing (solitary confinement), as well as disciplinary and administrative confinement at the department of corrections.

RI H7637

Establishes the restrictive housing oversight committee ("committee") for the purpose of monitoring the use of restrictive housing (solitary confinement), as well as disciplinary and administrative confinement at the department of corrections.

RI S3053

Establishes a restrictive housing oversight committee for the purpose of monitoring the use of restrictive housing, as well as disciplinary confinement at the department of corrections.

Similar Bills

RI H5538

Requires state use actual residences of persons in government custody for redistricting purposes. Information would be collected by the department of corrections and forwarded to the division of statewide planning, to be utilized for redistricting.

CA AB581

Rehabilitative program providers.

CA AB2172

Redistricting: inmates.

CA SB75

Employment: Preapprenticeship Pathways to Employment Pilot Program.

ME LD1978

Resolve, to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Programs Within the Department of Corrections That Prepare Correctional Facility Residents for Employment and Self-sufficiency Upon Release from Incarceration

CA AB428

California Department of Reentry.

CA SB950

Energy: transportation fuels: inventories: turnaround and maintenance.

LA HCR146

Directs the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections to conduct a comprehensive statewide review of factors affecting the state's incarceration and recidivism rates