Criminal Justice

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jan 23, 2026

B 26-0382: Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Technical Temporary Amendment Act of 2025

This bill temporarily expands the Police Complaints Board from 5 to 9 members (one per ward plus an at-large member, none affiliated with law enforcement after the current MPD member's term ends) and grants the Office of Police Complaints Executive Director new authority to file complaints independently when they discover unreported misconduct, such as officers failing to intervene in excessive force incidents or not reporting violations by colleagues. It also makes minor technical changes to clarify that certain victim protections in Chapter 3 of Title 14 apply only to individuals under 18 years old. The bill is temporary, expiring 225 days after enactment or upon the effective date of another related act. It directly affects the complaint process for police misconduct, the Police Complaints Board, and victims under 18 in specific legal contexts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands Police Complaints Board oversight, grants authority to file independent complaints for misconduct, directly enhancing police accountability per reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Feb 14, 2025

PR 26-0031: Contract No. CW122630 with Patriot Harley Davidson Approval and Payment Authorization Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This emergency resolution approves a $1.69 million contract (CW122630) with Patriot Harley Davidson to purchase 30-35 police motorcycles with sidecars for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). It authorizes immediate payment for these vehicles, which were procured under emergency contract terms due to their value exceeding $1 million. The resolution is required under District of Columbia law to allow payment for goods delivered between December 2024 and December 2025. It directly affects the MPD (which will use the motorcycles) and Patriot Harley Davidson (the vendor). The Council must approve this to fulfill the emergency procurement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeApproves $1.69M contract for police motorcycles, directly funding law enforcement equipment under criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Oct 3, 2025

CER 26-0080: Al-Malik Farrakhan Cease Fire... Don't Smoke Brothers & Sisters, Inc. Ceremonial Resolution of 2025

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHonors organization advocating criminal justice reform, including opposing harsh sentencing and supporting ex-prisoners, aligning with reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Dec 4, 2025

B 26-0052: Evidence-Based Gun Violence Reduction and Prevention Act of 2025

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill uses evidence-based, coordinated approach with social services for high-risk individuals, aligning with reform indicators like reducing recidivism and improving rehabilitation over punitive measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing Sentencing

Track

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Aug 7, 2026

B 26-0226: Place-Based Substance Use Disorder Outreach Amendment Act of 2025

This bill (B 26-0226) makes permanent a District of Columbia pilot program that provides targeted support for people with substance use disorders (SUD) in high-need neighborhoods. It requires the Department of Behavioral Health to establish a program offering direct support (like crisis assessments), relationship development through consistent outreach, and resource brokering to connect individuals with housing, healthcare, and other services. The program designates specific geographic areas for focused intervention based on criteria like overdose rates, public substance use, and high pedestrian activity. Performance data on outcomes - including connections to treatment and overdose reversals - must be publicly reported every 90 days.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides SUD treatment and support in high-need neighborhoods, reducing recidivism through rehabilitation - a core criminal justice reform strategy.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes permanent SUD outreach program connecting individuals to healthcare services via resource brokering and behavioral health support, directly advancing access to treatment.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly requires resource brokering to connect individuals with housing services as part of SUD support program, directly advancing housing access for vulnerable populations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Homelessness Property Development

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Oct 21, 2025

B 26-0417: Ticket Amnesty Act of 2025

The Ticket Amnesty Act of 2025 allows District residents with unpaid parking, standing, stopping, or automated traffic enforcement tickets to pay the original fine amount (without accrued penalties) during a six-month program. It directly affects people with old ticket debts - over $1.3 billion in unpaid fines nationally, disproportionately impacting residents in majority-Black neighborhoods where 62% of traffic fines were issued from 2016-2020. The bill requires the Mayor to establish the program, administered by the DMV, to waive penalties upon payment of the original ticket amount, closing the infraction and crediting revenue to the District’s General Fund. This builds on past success, like the 2021 amnesty that resolved $44 million in tickets.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces financial barriers for traffic fines, addressing disproportionate impacts on Black neighborhoods and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Track

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Mar 18, 2026

B 26-0480: Ensuring Access and Supporting Engagement (EASE) for DOC residents Act of 2025

This bill (B 26-0480, "Ensuring Access and Supporting Engagement (EASE) for DOC residents Act of 2025") requires the District of Columbia Department of Corrections (DOC) to enable incarcerated residents to testify at DC Council hearings. It directly affects over 2,100 DOC residents (disproportionately from communities of color) by mandating DOC provide internet-connected devices, video testimony access, and multiple communication methods (including video, messaging, and mail) to engage with the Council and their ANC Commissioner. Key provisions include codifying testimony rights, eliminating cost barriers for correspondence, and requiring DOC to establish policies for civic participation. The bill aims to extend full democratic engagement beyond voting rights, ensuring incarcerated residents can directly contribute to legislative discussions impacting their lives.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates DOC provide communication tools for incarcerated residents to testify at hearings, promoting civil rights and participatory justice reform.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates DOC to provide internet-connected devices and video testimony access, directly expanding technology access for incarcerated residents as required by law.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

Track

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jun 26, 2026

B 26-0404: Safe Pregnancy, Delivery, and Postpartum Care for Youth at DYRS Amendment Act of 2025

This bill requires the District of Columbia's Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) to provide comprehensive pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care to pregnant youth in its facilities. It mandates pregnancy testing upon admission, confidential healthcare within three weeks of birth (with follow-up care), counseling on family planning and mental health, and free medical supplies like breast pumps and postpartum dietary support. The law also requires DYRS to develop written policies within 60 days of enactment to implement these standards. The bill directly affects pregnant youth in DYRS custody, ensuring they receive timely, culturally responsive healthcare without cost.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires comprehensive healthcare for pregnant youth in DYRS (juvenile corrections), enhancing rehabilitation and health services within the criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates comprehensive pregnancy/delivery/postpartum care, mental health counseling, and free medical supplies for youth in DYRS facilities, expanding access to essential healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Women's Health

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Oct 10, 2025

B 26-0348: Special Education for Young Adults in the Custody of the Department of Corrections Second Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This bill requires the District of Columbia Department of Corrections to provide free appropriate public education (FAPE) under federal and local law to individuals with disabilities aged 18 and older who are incarcerated in its secure facilities. It specifically mandates this service during the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years for young adults in custody until they reach the end of their eligibility under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The bill amends two existing laws (the Corrections Act and Corrections Oversight Act) to add this requirement as a new provision. It directly affects young adults with disabilities in DC's correctional facilities who were previously not explicitly covered under these education provisions. The amendment is classified as an emergency measure with a 90-day effective period.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates educational services for incarcerated young adults with disabilities, supporting rehabilitation and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates FAPE for incarcerated disabled young adults under IDEA, expanding educational access for a vulnerable population in correctional facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Mar 28, 2025

B 26-0036: Clemency Board Waiver Authority Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This emergency bill allows the District of Columbia's Clemency Board to grant waivers of the five-year waiting period for pardon applicants, aligning with a federal process used by the Department of Justice. It directly affects individuals who have received a waiver of the five-year requirement from the DOJ's Office of the Pardon Attorney but would otherwise be ineligible under current District law. The Board may grant a waiver only if it receives written notice of a DOJ waiver, cannot approve requests for those on probation/parole, and may still deny requests even with DOJ notice. The change ensures District applicants with federal waivers aren't automatically rejected, with the bill effective for 90 days as an emergency measure.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves five-year waiting period for pardon applicants with DOJ waivers, aligning federal process with DC law to facilitate clemency and reduce barriers to rehabilitation in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole