Criminal Justice (Juvenile Justice)

This resolution proposes to remove the April 15, 2026 expiration date for temporary laws that allow the District's police chief and mayor to establish juvenile curfew zones in specific areas. The measure directly affects law enforcement authority and would keep in place restrictions on unaccompanied minors gathering in designated zones during late evening hours. The bill cites recent incidents of youth gatherings leading to violence in locations like the Wharf and Navy Yard as justification for maintaining these tools. If passed, the curfew zone authority would remain active through September 25, 2026, giving police more flexibility to respond to planned large youth events. The resolution also notes that the mayor has committed to providing alternative programming for youth during the same period.

This bill, the Juvenile Curfew Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025, temporarily adjusts Washington D.C.'s juvenile curfew rules for summer 2025. It extends the curfew hours to 11 p.m. daily during June, July, and August, and expands the curfew to include 17-year-olds (previously limited to younger juveniles). The resolution also authorizes the Chief of Police to establish extended curfew zones (starting at 7 p.m. for up to 30 days) in specific areas upon request by neighborhood groups or businesses, mirroring existing drug-free zone protocols. It takes immediate effect as an emergency measure to address public safety concerns related to juvenile behavior.

This resolution declares an emergency to amend the District's Juvenile Curfew Act of 1995. It would allow the Mayor to extend curfew hours beyond current times (currently 8pm-11pm), let the Chief of Police establish extended curfew zones in specific areas during safety concerns, and extend the curfew to cover 17-year-olds. The bill directly affects minors under 18 in Washington, D.C., particularly those gathering in designated zones like the Wharf or U Street. It aims to provide officials with more flexible tools to address public safety incidents involving unaccompanied youth, as cited in the resolution's emergency justification.

This bill temporarily amends the Juvenile Curfew Act of 1995 to set standard curfew hours from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily and expand the curfew to apply to all juveniles under 18 (previously under 17). It allows the Mayor to temporarily extend curfew hours beyond standard times for public safety, and the Chief of Police to designate specific zones with extended curfew hours, both limited to 4 consecutive days (with possible 30-day total extensions). Police must issue at least one verbal warning before arrest and provide time to disperse, with strict limits on when extensions can begin (no earlier than 8 p.m.) or end (no later than 6 a.m.). The bill directly affects juveniles aged 17 and under in Washington, D.C., during temporary curfew extensions.

This bill amends Washington D.C.'s Juvenile Curfew Act to set a daily curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. for all youth under 18, expanding the previous age limit. It grants the Mayor emergency authority to extend curfew hours beyond 11 p.m. for public safety or property protection, and allows the Chief of Police to establish temporary "extended curfew zones" in specific areas. Police must issue at least two audible warnings before enforcing curfew in non-emergency situations, provide time to disperse, and document interactions via body cameras. The changes apply immediately to all D.C. youth under 18 during designated curfew hours.

PR 26-0381 (Juvenile Curfew Second Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025) proposes to extend emergency authority for the District of Columbia's juvenile curfew laws. It would allow the Mayor to extend curfew hours beyond current limits and empower the Chief of Police to establish specific curfew zones in areas with safety concerns, starting curfew at 11 p.m. daily and expanding coverage to include 17-year-olds. The resolution directly affects unaccompanied youth aged 17 and under and aims to address recurring incidents of large youth gatherings leading to violence, as reported by MPD following the expiration of prior emergency curfew legislation. The changes would amend the Juvenile Curfew Act of 1995 and make related updates to the Volunteer Services Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2025.