SB 5287, sponsored by Sen. Jeannie Darneille (D–Tacoma), proposes to require inmates and custodial patients be considered residents of their last known address for redistricting purposes. The bill passed the Senate 27-21.

Washington law does not specify whether persons:

• Incarcerated in Department of Corrections (DOC) facilities;
• Residing in facilities under the supervision of the Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS); or
• Residing in facilities under the supervision of the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF);

Are considered residents of those locations or their last known address when calculating population for redistricting purposes.

The bill also states that if such a person’s last known address is outside the state or unknown, that person will be deemed to reside at an unknown geographical location in the state and exclude the inmate or patient from the population count for any district, ward, or precinct.

SB 5287 applies to individuals in:

• Adult correctional facilities
• Involuntary treatment facilities
• Juvenile justice facilities

Dates to remember

SB 5287 will be heard on Tuesday, March 26 at 1:30 pm in the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee.