RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- RESIDENCE OF INDIVIDUALS IN GOVERNMENT, CUSTODY ACT
Summary
S2304 creates the “Residence of Individuals in Government Custody Act” and directs Rhode Island to count incarcerated people at their actual legal residence, rather than at the correctional facility where they are confined, for redistricting purposes. The bill states that this is intended to correct a discrepancy between existing voting-residence law and census-based population counts that currently treat incarcerated individuals as residents of the facility location.
To implement that policy, the bill requires the Department of Corrections to collect and maintain electronic records for people entering custody after January 1, 2027, including last known street address and limited demographic information. The department must annually report specified data to the Division of Statewide Planning, which must use it to prepare redistricting population data for congressional, state legislative, and local districts. The bill also addresses people with unknown or out-of-state residences and federal correctional facilities, and it requires publication of findings on missing or un-geocodable records.
Impact
The bill would amend Title 17 of the General Laws by adding a new chapter governing how incarcerated people are counted for redistricting. It would change the population base used to draw congressional, state House, state Senate, and local government districts by reallocating incarcerated individuals from prison locations to their home addresses when known, and by excluding facility-based counts for people whose residence is unknown or outside Rhode Island. It also creates confidentiality rules for the data, limits disclosure of names, and prohibits use of the redistricting data for state or federal aid distribution.
Sentiment
The bill’s framing is strongly reform-oriented and appears aimed at a fairness-based redistricting policy, with sponsors emphasizing that incarcerated people should be counted where they actually live for voting and representation purposes. No committee transcript or recorded vote is available in the provided materials, so there is no documented opposition or support beyond the bill text and sponsor list. Overall, the available context suggests a policy-driven, pro-reform sentiment rather than a contested or compromise measure.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are the redistricting consequences of moving incarcerated populations away from prison districts, the administrative burden on the Department of Corrections and statewide planning officials, and the handling of confidential personal data. Another likely issue is whether the state can or should rely on last known addresses for people whose residence is uncertain, as well as how to treat people in federal facilities or with out-of-state addresses. The bill also raises possible debate over whether excluding prison populations from facility-based counts could alter political representation in districts that contain correctional institutions.
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.
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.
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.
Prohibits members of law enforcement from engaging in sexual penetration with individuals in their custody. The act also provides that a person convicted of custodial law enforcement sexual penetration would face imprisonment for not more than 3 years.
Allows a minor between the ages of 14 - 17 without a permanent residence/in custody of the DCYF to get state identification card without a signature from parent, guardian or foster parent as well as a certified copy of minor's birth certificate at no cost
Allows a minor between the ages of 14 -17 without a permanent residence/in custody of the DCYF to get state identification card without a signature from parent, guardian or foster parent as well as a certified copy of minor's birth certificate at no cost.
Provides for a cause of action against an individual or entity that prohibits the possession of firearms on real property, except residences, by an individual that is authorized and licensed to carry a firearm.
Permits the division of unclaimed property within the office of the general treasurer to accept miscellaneous intangible property belonging to Rhode Island residents.