The proposed bill, titled the "Residence of Individuals in Government Custody Act," aims to ensure that individuals in government custody are counted at their actual residences for redistricting purposes. It introduces a new chapter (CHAPTER 30) to Title 17 of the General Laws, which mandates the Department of Corrections to maintain an electronic record of the legal residence and demographic data of individuals entering custody after January 1, 2026. This record will include the last known address prior to incarceration, race, ethnicity, and age. The Department is also required to report this information annually to the Secretary of State, ensuring that the data does not include identifiable information about the incarcerated individuals.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the Secretary of State must prepare redistricting population data reflecting the actual residences of incarcerated individuals, thereby preventing their classification as residents of correctional facilities. The Secretary of State is tasked with ensuring that population counts do not include individuals whose legal residence is known and within the state, while also providing annual reports on the completeness of the data submitted. The act will take effect upon passage, emphasizing the importance of accurate representation in the redistricting process.