Disaggregation of Data on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders By: Jennifer Proto, Principal Analyst November 21, 2017 2017-R-0301 Issue Identify and briefly describe legislation proposed or enacted in other states on disaggregation of data on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Disaggregation of AAPI Data Advocates of collecting and separating data by ethnicity, known as disaggregation, argue that doing so for AAPI can help expose and effectively target disparities in areas such as education and healthcare. Opponents of disaggregating AAPI data cite privacy and discrimination concerns, suggesting that data should be disaggregated across all racial groups. Federal executive orders enacted in 1999, 2004, and 2009 address the increasing participation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in federal programs, by requiring, among other things, enhanced data collection for AAPI populations and subpopulations. Five states have also addressed this trend by considering and enacting proposed legislation as described in Table 1. www.cga.ct.gov/olr OLRequest@cga.ct.gov Connecticut General Assembly Office of Legislative Research Stephanie A. D’Ambrose, Director (860) 240-8400 Room 5300 Legislative Office Building Table 1: Proposed or Enacted State Legislation on the Disaggregation of AAPI Data Year 2016 (enacted) State California Bill AB-1726 2016 (proposed) Massachusetts H 3361 2017 (passed one chamber) New York A7352 2017 (enacted) Rhode Island S0439 2016 (enacted) Washington HB 1541 Description Existing law requires certain state agencies, boards, and commissions to collect data for at least 11 AAPI categories. The bill extends this requirement to the Department of Public Health, aligning its data collection practices with those of the U.S. Census Bureau. It takes effect in 2022, contingent on funding. Requires all state agencies, quasi-state agencies, entities created by state statute, and sub-divisions of state agencies to identify AAPI as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau in all types of data collection, reporting, or verification. These entities must also collect individually reported data on the state’s five largest AAPI ethnic groups as part of this requirement. Requires state agencies, boards, and commissions that directly, or by contract, collect demographic information, to (1) use separate collection categories and tabulations for specified AAPI ethnic groups and (2) annually post the data on their respective websites starting July 1, 2018. Requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to (1) use separate collection categories and tabulations for specified Asian ethnic groups in every demographic report according to the latest decennial census and (2) annually post the data on its website starting July 1, 2018. Beginning with the 2017-18 school year, requires disaggregation of student data collected and submitted using U.S. Department of Education 2007 race and ethnicity guidelines, with further disaggregation of Black, White, Asian, and multi-racial categories. JP:bs 2017-R-0301 November 21, 2017 Page 2 of 2