Legislature hears broad support for bill to protect civic engagement rights of incarcerated and institutionalized people

The State Government & Tribal Relations Committee on Jan. 15 heard hours of testimony on House Bill 1147, a proposed substitute that would establish a legal right to civic engagement for people who are incarcerated or detained in state hospitals and other state-operated facilities.

The substitute, described by Connor Schiff of the Office of Program Research as staff counsel to the committee, lists civic activities covered by the right — forming political advocacy organizations, communicating with community groups and elected officials, accessing meeting space, registering to vote, and participating remotely in hearings — and requires that any restriction be narrowly tailored to a compelling state interest. It also would create a civic engagement coordinator position in the Office of Equity and direct agencies to implement an accountability process for transparency.

Supporters — many with lived experience of incarceration or institutionalization, advocates and several nonprofit organizations — told the committee the measure would connect isolated people to community supports and improve outcomes after release. “Community groups like Beyond These Walls…