This bill amends several existing laws to improve accessibility, prioritize non-car transportation, and enhance community spaces in Washington, D.C. It expands the Safe at Home Program to cover modifications that improve physical access to off-street parking spaces and requires the Department of Transportation to use metrics focused on pedestrians, cyclists, and transit rather than just car traffic when planning road projects. Additionally, the act creates a new program to close three specific corridors to personal vehicles for at least 24 hours per week, with a requirement that at least one of these zones be located in neighborhoods facing issues like high traffic violence or poor air quality. The legislation also streamlines the process for holding block parties by creating an expedited application system and establishes interim safety rules for autonomous vehicle testing until a formal permit process is available.
This bill modifies how the District of Columbia investigates reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. It extends the standard deadline for completing an investigation from 30 days to 45 days, with a longer 60-day limit for cases involving child fatalities, sex trafficking, or abuse in institutional settings like foster homes. Additionally, the legislation removes the requirement to conduct separate family assessments when processing these reports. The changes aim to streamline the investigation process while ensuring adequate time for complex cases to be thoroughly reviewed.
This bill temporarily reduces the required setback distance for buildings along the southern side of Fern Street NW in Square 2950 from 15 feet to 9.5 feet. The change applies specifically to Lots 847, 973, 1016 to 1033, and 1062 to 1072 to allow construction closer to the street. It is an emergency measure designed to bypass a congressional review process, taking effect only after approval by the Mayor or a veto override. The adjustment remains in force for no longer than 90 days.
This bill updates the District of Columbia's probate laws to reduce costs and simplify the process for handling estates. It eliminates court fees for personal representatives and raises the amount of property survivors can keep without it being sold to pay debts, increasing the homestead allowance to $30,000 and the exempt property allowance to $20,000. The legislation also expands the definition of a small estate to include assets up to $80,000, allowing for a faster transfer process, while removing the exempt property allowance for adult children who were not left anything in their parents' wills. Additionally, the bill changes terminology from "standard probate" to "formal probate," shortens the public notice period required to start a case, and permits family members to nominate a specific person to manage an estate.
This temporary bill amends the laws governing the Police Complaints Board in Washington, D.C., to increase the number of board members from five to nine and allow the board's executive director to file their own complaints if they discover evidence of police misconduct that was not originally reported. Specifically, the executive director can initiate investigations into officers who fail to intervene when witnessing excessive force or fail to report violations by other officers, expanding the board's ability to address systemic issues beyond individual citizen complaints. The legislation also clarifies that certain legal provisions regarding sexual assault victims specifically apply only to those under the age of 18. All changes made by this act are set to expire 225 days after it takes effect.
This bill limits the fees and restrictions landlords in the District of Columbia can charge tenants for having pets. It defines common household pets as typical domestic animals like dogs, cats, and small mammals, while explicitly exempting service and assistance animals from these rules. Under the new regulations, landlords may charge a pet security deposit capped at 15% of the monthly rent and an additional rent fee of up to 1% of the first month's rent per dog, but they are prohibited from banning pets based on breed, size, or weight. Furthermore, the act requires the city to ensure that at least one low-barrier homeless shelter provides space for individuals accompanied by a pet by October 1, 2026. These changes apply to residential leases starting after October 1, 2025, for most provisions, with the homeless shelter requirement taking effect by October 1, 2026.
This bill allows the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles to temporarily waive standard renewal requirements for driver licenses and identification cards if an applicant demonstrates good cause. Under the new rules, the department head has the authority to approve exceptions based on reasons provided by the applicant, with specific procedures to be set by the agency. Additionally, the bill updates the maximum renewal period from a fixed eight years plus a short grace period to a flexible timeframe that the mayor can adjust through official rules. The changes are designed to take effect after approval and will remain in force for 225 days before expiring.
This bill clarifies that the District of Columbia government and its agencies are not considered "merchants" under local consumer protection laws, with one specific exception for the District of Columbia Housing Authority when it acts as a landlord. The legislation updates the legal definition of a merchant to explicitly exclude government entities, ensuring that standard consumer rules do not apply to the District's general operations or employees acting in their official capacities. While the District Housing Authority remains subject to these consumer protections in its landlord-tenant relationships, the change does not grant new rights or impose new duties on the government. The law is temporary and will expire 225 days after it takes effect, serving only to resolve a legal ambiguity regarding the District's status under existing statutes.
This bill raises the minimum age for marriage in the District of Columbia to 18 years old with no exceptions. It directly affects anyone seeking a marriage license by prohibiting the Clerk from issuing one to any person under 18. The law removes previous exceptions that allowed minors to marry with parental consent or court approval and updates related legal definitions to align with this new standard.
This bill establishes the Thrive Mentorship Program, a District of Columbia initiative designed to provide long-term professional mentoring to youth who have experienced adverse childhood events or are at risk of negative outcomes. Administered by the Department of Human Services, the program will fund nonprofit organizations to employ trained mentors who commit to meeting with their assigned youth for at least three hours per week over a minimum of three years. These mentors are required to undergo rigorous background checks and complete specialized training in trauma-informed care and family engagement, while also involving caregivers in the support process. Additionally, the legislation creates community service leave for eligible government employees to volunteer as tutors or mentors, and mandates annual reporting on student outcomes such as school attendance, grades, and graduation rates.
This bill requires the District of Columbia's Child and Family Services Agency to provide new or slightly used luggage to children entering foster care, moving placements, starting higher education or military service, or exiting the system. The agency must maintain an inventory of donated items, inspect them for quality, and ensure that all provided luggage remains the personal property of the child and cannot be reclaimed by the agency or foster families. When distributing luggage, the agency must consider factors such as the child's age, mobility, and the size of their belongings, while also documenting instances where disposable bags were used instead. The legislation also authorizes the agency to accept donations and grants to fund these efforts and mandates the creation of rules to manage the storage and distribution process.
This bill authorizes an emergency payment of approximately $12.3 million to Intergraph Corporation, now known as Hexagon Corporation, to maintain a critical computer dispatch system used by the District of Columbia's Office of Unified Communications. The legislation bypasses standard procurement rules to approve a multiyear contract that ensures the continued operation of this essential software without delay. Once signed, the act allows the district to pay for services already received and those expected under the agreement, with the law remaining in force for up to 90 days.
