Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

This bill confirms James Berry, Jr. as a member of the District of Columbia Sentencing Commission, filling a vacant seat for a term ending in 2026 and a subsequent term ending in 2029. The resolution formally approves his appointment to this advisory body, which helps shape sentencing policies and practices in the District. Berry brings extensive experience in criminal justice reform and community-based reentry programs from his previous roles in public defense and offender supervision agencies.

This ceremonial resolution (CER 26-0080) honors Al-Malik Farrakhan and his organization, Cease Fire… Don’t Smoke The Brothers & Sisters, Inc., for 30 years of service to the District of Columbia. It recognizes the organization’s founding in 1993 and its work addressing gang violence, supporting ex-prisoners, and advocating for criminal justice reform - including organizing truces between rival gangs, registering over 4,000 new voters from correctional facilities, and opposing harsh sentencing laws. The resolution has no binding effect; it is purely symbolic recognition of their community impact.

The Evidence-Based Gun Violence Reduction and Prevention Act of 2025 establishes a new Group Violence Intervention Initiative to reduce gun violence by focusing law enforcement efforts on high-risk individuals and groups, coordinating across agencies, and providing social services to those willing to stop violent behavior. It authorizes the Metropolitan Police Department to hire civilian staff for property crime investigations and cold cases, requires a biannual report on repeat violent offenders from the Sentencing Commission, and expands Medicaid coverage to include community violence prevention services for beneficiaries. The bill also gives the Mayor authority to address properties with criminal activity (criminal blight). These provisions directly affect law enforcement agencies, residents in high-violence neighborhoods, and Medicaid recipients in the District of Columbia.