B 26-0204 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Safe Passage Training and School Engagement Amendment Act of 2025

This bill requires Safe Passage ambassadors - community workers supporting students traveling to school - to complete monthly training in de-escalation, conflict resolution, cultural competency, and recognizing signs of abuse or neglect. It also mandates bi-annual meetings between ambassadors and school administrators to coordinate support for students’ needs. The training focuses on practical interaction guidance (not diagnosis) for students with neurodivergence, special needs, or diverse backgrounds. The bill directly affects ambassadors, schools, and students in 12 designated "priority areas" across Washington, D.C., aiming to improve safety and engagement during school commutes.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Jun 2025

Council Passage

Jul 2025

Signed into Law

Sep 2025

Introduced Mar 25, 2025 Signed Sep 19, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossment → Enrollment · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was finalized and enacted into law, changing the target legal section from the School Proximity Traffic Calming Act to the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Establishment Act. This shift clarifies that the new safety requirements apply specifically to personnel funded by grants from the Deputy Mayor, rather than all Safe Passage staff. The core policy requirements, including mandatory bi-annual meetings with school administrators and specific training topics like bystander intervention and cultural competency, remain substantively the same.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed and clarified to apply specifically to Safe Passage personnel hired by organizations receiving grants from the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice, rather than all personnel under the broader School Proximity Traffic Calming Act.

REQUIREMENT

The legal authority for the bill was moved from the School Proximity Traffic Calming Act to the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Establishment Act.

New Section 3(c) requires the Budget Director to publish a notice of certification in the District of Columbia Register, adding a formal transparency step to the implementation process.

Added Section 4 to formally adopt the fiscal impact statement included in the committee report.

Added Section 5 to confirm the bill's effective date is contingent on Mayor approval, a veto override, and the completion of the 30-day congressional review period.

Floor votes · Council Jul 1, 2025

How they voted

12–0

Passed

Total votes 12

Jul 1, 2025

D Democratic10

10 Yea

100% Yea

I Independent2

2 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jul 1, 2025

Council · Passed

Council Vote: pass (12-0)

council

Jul 1, 2025

Introduced

Amendment (Pinto)

legislature

Jun 11, 2025

Legislature · Passed

Committee Mark-up of B26-0204 by the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee

legislature

Apr 4, 2025

Committee

Re-Referral published.

legislature

Apr 1, 2025

Committee

Re-Referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

legislature

Apr 1, 2025

Committee

Referred to Committee of the Whole with comments from the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

legislature

Mar 25, 2025

Introduced

B26-0204 Introduced by Councilmember Pinto at Office of the Secretary

legislature

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors