B 26-0526 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Leading Education Access for Reentry and Necessary Success (LEARNS) Amendment Act of 2025

The LEARNS Amendment Act of 2025 requires the District of Columbia Department of Corrections (DOC) to evaluate incarcerated students for special education services if they weren't assessed before entering custody, and to continue services for those with existing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). It also sets specific qualifications for the contractor providing these services and mandates DOC to create a public online system tracking resident complaints and service requests, including resolution timelines and contact information for oversight bodies. This bill directly affects students in DC Jail who need special education services but previously lacked a pathway for evaluation while incarcerated. The legislation makes permanent changes previously implemented through temporary measures, ensuring all eligible incarcerated students can access appropriate educational support.
Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Council Passage
Jun 2026
Signed into Law
Jul 2026
Introduced Dec 1, 2025 Signed Jul 9, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossment → Enrollment · 2 edits
MINOR
The bill was finalized as an enrolled version, changing the title slightly to focus on repealing 'parts' of a specific regulation rather than specific section numbers. The core policy requirements for providing education to incarcerated individuals and establishing an online grievance tracking system remain substantively unchanged from the engrossed version.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on the Department of Corrections' responsibility for education and grievance tracking for individuals in custody.
TECHNICAL

The bill's title was updated to specify that it repeals 'parts of section 3001' of the Municipal Regulations instead of listing specific section numbers (3001.16 and 3001.17), likely to ensure the repeal covers the entire relevant regulatory framework.

Minor formatting adjustments were made to the layout and spacing of the text to conform to the official enrolled format.

Floor votes · Council Jun 2, 2026

How they voted

13–0
Passed
Total votes 13
Jun 2, 2026
D Democratic11
11 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
13
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Jun 2, 2026
Council · Passed
Council Vote: pass (13-0)
council
Apr 9, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Committee Mark-up of B26-0526 by the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee
legislature
Mar 26, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Committee Mark-up of B26-0526 by the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee - Not Considered
legislature
Dec 16, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety with comments from the Committee of the Whole
legislature
Dec 1, 2025
Introduced
B26-0526 Introduced by Councilmember Pinto at Office of the Secretary
legislature
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Brooke Pinto
Brooke Pinto
DDemocratic
DC
Ward 2