Criminal Justice

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Nov 7, 2025

B 26-0381: Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Technical Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This bill expands the Police Complaints Board from 5 to 9 members, requiring representation from each city ward plus one at-large member, with all members (after a transition) prohibited from having current law enforcement affiliations. It grants the Office of Police Complaints Executive Director new authority to independently initiate complaints when evidence of misconduct - such as failure to intervene in excessive force or failure to report violations - is discovered, even if not raised by the original complainant. It also clarifies that specific victim-related provisions in Chapter 3 of Title 14 apply only to individuals under 18 years old. As an emergency measure, it expires 90 days after enactment or upon the applicability date of a related 2022 law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands Police Complaints Board and grants authority to independently investigate misconduct, strengthening oversight mechanisms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Oct 17, 2025

PR 26-0332: Peace DC Omnibus Congressional Review Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This resolution declares an emergency to expedite several amendments to existing District of Columbia laws, bypassing standard legislative review. It directly affects residents and agencies by: (1) allowing Metropolitan Police Department officer applicants to count certain college credits toward education requirements; (2) clarifying court procedures for sealing certain criminal records; and (3) updating rules for handling fare evasion citations and pretrial detention policies. The resolution cites urgent needs to resolve legal gaps, prevent system inefficiencies, and align with prior legislation like the Peace DC Omnibus Amendment Act. It is procedural in nature, enabling immediate implementation of these technical adjustments without new policy creation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSealing criminal records is a direct reform measure that reduces barriers for individuals with past convictions, aligning with criminal justice support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Jan 10, 2025

PR 26-0013: Firearms Control Regulations Rulemaking Approval Resolution of 2024

This resolution approves a rulemaking that clarifies District of Columbia firearm regulations for registration and concealed carry licenses. It specifies that arrest records alone do not disqualify applicants; instead, a history of violent behavior within the past five years is required for disqualification. The rule also clarifies that prior denials or revocations of firearm registration are not permanent, and the Chief of Police must consider the underlying reasons for past decisions, not just the fact of the denial. Additionally, concealed carry licenses may be denied if an applicant's conduct demonstrates they pose a danger to themselves or others.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill clarifies firearm licensing to exclude arrest records alone as disqualification, requiring violent behavior history instead, and allows reconsideration of past denials. This reduces unnecessary barriers for non-violent applicants, aligning wi...85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

Track

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Jun 10, 2026

B 26-0479: Youth Villages Grant Establishment Amendment Act of 2025

The Youth Villages Grant Establishment Amendment Act of 2025 creates a new grant program within DC’s Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) to fund neighborhood-based support hubs for youth. It directly affects young people up to age 25 who are justice-involved or at high risk of justice involvement, particularly in underserved communities. The bill provides grants of up to $300,000 to nonprofit organizations to establish these hubs, requiring them to offer daily services like mentorship, skills training, academic support, and connections to housing or food assistance. Hubs must partner with local schools, community groups, and businesses to build sustained intergenerational networks and track outcomes such as reduced recidivism and improved school attendance. The program mirrors DC’s existing Senior Villages model but tailors services to youth needs through a competitive grant process starting in FY2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds neighborhood support hubs for justice-involved youth to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Track

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jun 26, 2026

B 26-0407: Strengthening Capacity and Transparency at DYRS Amendment Act of 2025

This bill (B 26-0407, "Strengthening Capacity and Transparency at DYRS Amendment Act of 2025") requires the District of Columbia's Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) to publicly report detailed population data about youth at the Youth Services Center and New Beginnings Youth Development Center. Key provisions include publishing daily counts by race/age/status, average stay lengths, admission patterns, confinement incidents, and recidivism metrics (measuring reoffending rates within three years of release). It also mandates the Mayor to submit a one-year plan within 120 days to reduce the Youth Services Center population to a maximum of 90 youth and prevent future overcrowding. The bill directly affects DYRS operations, youth in custody, and the public through increased transparency about facility conditions and outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires public reporting of youth recidivism metrics and detention data to improve transparency and accountability in juvenile justice, directly supporting reform efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Sep 12, 2025

B 26-0211: Special Education for Young Adults in the Custody of the Department of Corrections Temporary Amendment Act of 2025

This temporary bill requires the District of Columbia Department of Corrections to provide special education services under federal and local law to youth aged 18 and older with disabilities who are held in secure correctional facilities. It mandates these services during the 2024-2025 school year, covering all eligible individuals until their special education eligibility ends under federal and District law. The requirement applies specifically to those detained in secure facilities, not general custody. The bill expires 225 days after implementation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates special education services for incarcerated youth with disabilities, promoting rehabilitation and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates special education services for incarcerated youth with disabilities, expanding educational access under federal law during 2024-2025.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Oct 23, 2025

B 26-0390: Prearrest Diversion Task Force Recommendations Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This bill extends deadlines for the Prearrest Diversion Task Force, which reviews misdemeanor diversion programs. It changes the initial recommendation deadline from June 2025 to June 2025 (for the task force's first report) and moves the final recommendations deadline from March 2025 to July 31, 2026. It also updates probate notice rules in D.C. law to allow notices in any general-circulation newspaper - not just "legal periodicals" - for estate filings involving property in the District. The bill is an emergency amendment, effective immediately upon approval.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends deadlines for Prearrest Diversion Task Force reviewing misdemeanor diversion programs, promoting alternatives to incarceration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Feb 28, 2025

B 26-0033: Contract No. CW122630 with Patriot Harley Davidson Approval and Payment Authorization Emergency Act of 2025

This bill authorizes the District of Columbia to approve and pay for a contract with Patriot Harley Davidson to purchase 30-35 police motorcycles with sidecars for the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Special Operations Division. It bypasses standard procurement rules due to an emergency need: the motorcycles are required for the 2024 Presidential Inauguration motorcade, and no other dealership can supply identical vehicles meeting MPD’s specifications. The contract has a maximum value of $1,686,086.89 for the motorcycles and required accessories, to be paid from October 2024 through September 2025. As a procedural payment authorization, it does not create new policy but enables immediate procurement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes funding for MPD motorcycle procurement, directly supporting law enforcement operations in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Apr 11, 2025

PR 26-0162: Special Education for Young Adults in the Custody of the Department of Corrections Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This emergency resolution designates the District of Columbia Department of Corrections (DOC) as the agency responsible for providing free appropriate public education (FAPE) under federal and local law to eligible young adults (ages 18+ with prior special education needs) held in DOC custody. It extends a temporary arrangement allowing DOC to continue contracting with Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools for special education services through the 2024-2025 school year. The resolution addresses an immediate need to prevent disruption in services after the expiration of prior temporary legislation on April 12, 2025. It does not establish a permanent solution but ensures continuity while permanent bills (Bills 25-309 and 25-461) remain under review.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides special education services to young adults in DOC custody, enhancing rehabilitation programs to reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures continued special education services for incarcerated young adults via DOC contracting, upholding FAPE requirements under federal/local law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jul 18, 2025

B 26-0304: Peace DC Omnibus Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This emergency bill amends multiple District of Columbia laws to address public safety and justice processes. It shifts fare evasion citation adjudication to the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Civil Infractions Act, modifies Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) training requirements to allow up to 20 college credits toward the 60-hour education requirement for officers, and creates exceptions to pretrial detention for robbery (without physical injury) and second-degree burglary. It also clarifies automatic sealing eligibility for certain offenses and removes a sunset date for pretrial detention provisions. The bill directly affects transit users, MPD applicants, individuals charged with theft/robbery, and those seeking criminal record sealing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates pretrial detention exceptions for robbery/burglary, reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with reform goals like limiting pretrial detention.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime