This bill would increase wages for participants in the District of Columbia's Summer Youth Employment Program. It raises the hourly rate for 14- and 15-year-olds from $6.25 to $10.00 and sets the rate for 16- to 24-year-olds at the District's minimum wage. The amendment updates the Youth Employment Act of 1979 to reflect these new wage rates, directly affecting young workers in the summer job program. The change aims to provide fairer compensation for youth contributions to the workforce.
This bill amends the Clemency Board Establishment Act to allow the Board to waive the 5-year waiting period for pardon applicants when the federal government has already approved a waiver (per DOJ guidelines), but only if the applicant is not on probation, parole, or supervised release. It also updates the Second Chance Amendment Act’s effective date from March 1, 2025, to October 1, 2027. The Board must provide written decisions on waiver requests and may ask for additional information from applicants. As an emergency measure, the bill takes effect immediately but expires after 90 days.
This resolution amends two laws to address immediate needs. It authorizes the District of Columbia Clemency Board to grant 5-year waiting period waivers for pardon applicants (mirroring federal DOJ practice), ensuring applicants with federal waivers aren't deemed ineligible. It also delays implementation of the Second Chance Amendment Act of 2022 from March 1, 2025, to October 1, 2027, giving agencies more time to prepare. The changes directly affect clemency applicants and local agencies implementing the Second Chance Act.
This bill (B 26-0050) reforms Washington, D.C.'s Rapid Re-Housing Program to directly affect homeless individuals and families currently in the program. It requires that participants pay no more than 30% of their income toward rent and mandates that the District assess them for permanent housing vouchers (including Targeted Affordable Housing) within six months of program entry. The bill makes case management services optional for participants and establishes new eligibility rules prioritizing those exiting Rapid Re-Housing without sufficient income to cover market-rate rent. It also defines "Targeted Affordable Housing" as long-term rental assistance for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with specific prioritization criteria for those transitioning from Rapid Re-Housing.
This bill requires all lead service lines (pipes carrying water) in Washington, D.C. to be removed from public property, District government buildings, and private properties by January 1, 2030. DC Water must create and maintain a detailed inventory of all water service lines, achieving 99% accuracy in identifying lead pipes by 2030. Property owners can receive tax credits until 2026 to voluntarily replace lead lines on their private property. The bill also establishes job training programs at the DC Infrastructure Academy to prepare District residents for lead pipe removal work, directly supporting the 2030 cleanup goal.
This bill requires the District of Columbia's Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) to survey local businesses and develop a city-wide strategy to help owners transition their businesses to worker cooperatives - where employees become owners - particularly when owners retire or seek succession. It directly affects small businesses (58% close within 5 years) by creating a structured pathway for cooperative conversions, which studies show have higher survival rates (90% after 5 years vs. 3-5% for traditional businesses). The key mechanism is a DLCP-led initiative to identify at-risk businesses and co-create support systems, including outreach to communities with unmet needs like grocery access or childcare. This policy change mandates a new DLCP program focused on economic resilience through worker ownership, without altering existing business regulations.
This bill would require all public, charter, and participating private schools in Washington, D.C., to provide free breakfast, lunch, and after-school snacks to every student starting in the 2025-2026 school year, eliminating current income-based eligibility requirements. It amends the Healthy Schools Act to mandate universal access, building on the District’s existing National School Lunch Program participation. The policy change directly affects all students in participating schools, removing barriers that previously left families earning above 185% of the federal poverty line without free meals. The legislation aims to reduce food insecurity and stigma while aligning with federal eligibility rules that now lower implementation costs.
This bill requires all District of Columbia public and public charter schools to provide at least 40 hours per week of school nurse coverage during school days, effective August 1, 2028. It also establishes a program offering school nurses up to $10,000 annually to help repay student loans and cover eligible educational expenses. The law directly affects DC public and charter schools by mandating nurse staffing levels and school nurses through financial support for education costs. The State Board of Education unanimously supported the bill, citing current coverage gaps as a concern for student health.
The Government Recruitment and Retention Act of 2025 addresses staffing shortages in District of Columbia public safety agencies by creating a new Director of Recruitment and Retention within the Office of the City Administrator. This director will identify critical vacancies (like 114 unfilled correctional officer positions at DOC), analyze causes, and recommend solutions, including authorizing up to $5,000 retention payments for specific roles such as correctional officers, dispatchers, and medical examiners. The bill also requires quarterly reports to the Council on vacancy rates and spending for recruitment incentives, while directing agencies to launch youth outreach campaigns targeting high school students for careers in public safety. It directly affects District agencies struggling with vacancies, particularly those impacting public safety operations and resident services.
The Cumulative Impacts Analysis Amendment Act of 2025 (B 26-0104) requires new assessments for projects that would increase pollution in DC neighborhoods already facing high environmental burdens, such as Ivy City, Brentwood, Mayfair, and Bellevue (primarily in Wards 4, 5, 7, and 8). It mandates a "cumulative impact statement" for permits involving harmful facilities in these areas and a "modified statement" for city agency plans affecting such communities, blocking approvals if disproportionate harm is found. The bill also creates an Environmental Justice Division at DOEE to coordinate efforts and adds enforcement tools like fines for non-compliance. Exemptions include projects aligned with climate goals or providing direct community benefits like affordable housing.
This bill creates a new deferred retirement program for eligible District of Columbia firefighters (FEMS) and police officers (MPD). It allows retirement-eligible members to continue working for up to three years after their normal retirement date while earning supplemental retirement benefits in a separate interest-bearing account. Upon completing the three-year period, members permanently leave city service, and the accumulated funds plus interest are distributed to them. The program specifically applies to sworn officers covered by the Fraternal Order of Police (MPD) and International Association of Firefighters (FEMS) collective bargaining agreements. This aims to improve retention of experienced staff and help departments better plan staffing needs.
This bill requires all lead water service lines in Washington D.C. (on both public and private property) to be fully replaced with non-lead lines by December 31, 2030. It directly affects property owners, DC Water, and residents, mandating that private property owners enroll in the free replacement program or replace lines themselves by October 1, 2024, and prohibiting partial replacements or new lead/brass/galvanized lines. Key provisions include prioritizing replacements at child care centers, multi-unit buildings, and homes with prior partial replacements, requiring free water filters until replacements are complete, and imposing fines for non-compliance after set deadlines. The law also establishes a public education campaign and data reporting requirements to track progress.
