Criminal Justice

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 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.

This resolution declares an emergency to extend the Department of Corrections (DOC) as the District agency responsible for providing free appropriate public education (FAPE) under federal and local law to eligible young adults (ages 18+ with prior disability identification) in DOC custody. It specifically authorizes DOC to continue its contract with Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools for special education services through the 2025-2026 school year, following a temporary arrangement that expired after 2022-2023. The resolution avoids disruption in mandated special education services for incarcerated youth while permanent legislation (Bills 25-309 and 25-461) remains under review. This is a procedural extension, not a policy change, to maintain existing service delivery during legislative deliberation.