Developing an Equity Impact Statement

Legislative bodies must pay close attention to the impact of their policies and play an active role in ensuring that both their intent and impact are consistent with a jurisdiction's expressed values. Developing an equity impact statement for a policy proposal helps assess whether laws and rulemaking advance a shared agenda of fairness; spread the burden of regulation fairly; and help address historic patterns of institutional bias and discrimination. This guide serves as a resource developing an equity impact statement as a tool for policymaking.