Criminal Justice

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Jan 15, 2026

PR 26-0490: Director of the Office on Returning Citizen Affairs Talib Shakir Confirmation Resolution of 2025

This bill is a procedural resolution confirming Mayor Bowser's appointment of Talib Shakir as Executive Director of the Office on Returning Citizen Affairs. It does not create new policy but formalizes an existing appointment for a position established under D.C. Law 16-243 (2007). The Office on Returning Citizen Affairs supports individuals reentering society after incarceration, focusing on housing, employment, and community reintegration. The resolution requires the Council to formally approve Shakir's appointment to serve at the Mayor's pleasure.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeConfirms appointment for Office supporting reentry programs, reducing recidivism through housing/employment assistance - directly aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Jan 6, 2026

B 26-0549: Safe Community Places and Policing Amendment Act of 2025

This bill prohibits the District of Columbia from using its resources - like vehicles or personnel - to assist federal immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant or in emergency situations. It designates locations like schools, hospitals, daycares, shelters, and recreation centers as "Safe Community Places," banning joint immigration enforcement operations there unless a warrant exists or an emergency occurs. The District must also train employees to implement these restrictions consistently across agencies. The law aims to prevent local police from facilitating federal immigration actions at sensitive community sites, ensuring District resources align with local safety priorities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts law enforcement cooperation with immigration in sensitive community spaces, protecting civil rights and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits DC from aiding federal immigration enforcement without warrant; designates schools/hospitals as safe zones to limit enforcement presence, aligning with limiting cooperation indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jul 10, 2026

B 26-0526: 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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires DOC to provide special education services for incarcerated students and track complaints, advancing rehabilitation and accountability in corrections.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires DC DOC to evaluate and provide special education services for incarcerated students, expanding educational access for a vulnerable population.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Special Education

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Oct 17, 2025

PR 26-0339: Prearrest Diversion Task Force Recommendations Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This emergency resolution extends the deadline for the Prearrest Diversion Task Force to issue recommendations from one year after the Secure DC law's effective date to July 2026, due to staffing delays in starting meetings. It also modifies probate law to allow notices for estate matters (like appointments of personal representatives) to be published in general-circulation newspapers, not just legal periodicals, to improve accessibility and reduce delays. The changes directly affect the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (task force timeline) and residents/estate lawyers handling probate cases in D.C. The resolution was passed as an emergency measure to align with practical implementation needs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends deadline for Prearrest Diversion Task Force, enabling criminal justice reform recommendations on diversion programs.90% confidence

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

B 26-0028: Eliminating Restrictive and Segregated Enclosures (“ERASE”) Solitary Confinement Act of 2025

This bill, the "ERASE Solitary Confinement Act of 2025," prohibits segregated confinement (solitary confinement) in District of Columbia jails and strictly limits the use of "safe cells" for non-emergency situations. It requires the Department of Corrections to ensure incarcerated people with mental health emergencies receive appropriate healthcare, defined as timely, respectful care meeting professional standards, and mandates the Department to create a plan to eliminate segregated confinement while reporting on its impacts. The law directly affects all people held in DC jails, particularly those with mental health needs who would previously be placed in solitary or restricted cells. Key mechanisms include banning disciplinary housing for punishment, guaranteeing minimum out-of-cell time (8 hours daily), and establishing clear healthcare rights for incarcerated individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits solitary confinement in DC jails, aligns with criminal justice reform by ending inhumane practices and protecting incarcerated individuals' rights.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates timely, respectful mental health care for incarcerated individuals meeting professional standards, advancing mental health services within healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jun 20, 2025

B 26-0152: Second Chance Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2025

This bill temporarily amends the Second Chance Amendment Act of 2022 to extend the deadline for automatically sealing nonconvictions in Washington, D.C. It changes the timeline so that nonconvictions occurring on or before September 30, 2027, must be sealed by October 1, 2027. The amendment applies to individuals with nonconvictions under the Second Chance Act, ensuring their records are automatically sealed by the new deadline. The bill is temporary, taking effect March 1, 2025, and expires 225 days after its effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends deadline for automatic sealing of nonconvictions under Second Chance Act, reducing barriers to reintegration and advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jul 11, 2025

PR 26-0259: Peace DC Omnibus Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This resolution declares an emergency to fast-track multiple amendments to District of Columbia laws. It directly affects public transit riders (by changing fare evasion citation handling), Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer applicants (by adjusting education credit requirements), defendants facing pretrial detention (by creating exceptions for certain robberies and burglaries), and individuals with past offenses (by clarifying record sealing eligibility). Key provisions include moving fare evasion cases to the Civil Infractions Act, allowing MPD applicants to count college credits toward training requirements, clarifying warrantless arrest authority, and removing sunset dates on pretrial detention rules. The resolution enables these changes to take effect immediately without standard legislative review.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates pretrial detention exceptions for certain offenses and clarifies record sealing eligibility, both criminal justice reforms reducing incarceration and aiding reintegration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature May 14, 2025

B 26-0185: Fair Hiring Opportunities for Public Employment (HOPE) Amendment Act of 2025

This bill creates a 10-point hiring preference for District government jobs for people who complete qualifying transitional employment programs like Project Empowerment. It requires job postings to clearly state this preference and standardizes criminal history reviews to include only convictions and pending charges. The bill also mandates that applicants denied jobs receive written explanations of the denial, appeal steps, and reapplication dates. Additionally, it requires annual reports on hiring practices for returning citizens. These changes aim to improve transparency and fairness in hiring for formerly incarcerated individuals seeking District government employment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates hiring preference for reentry programs, standardizes criminal history reviews, reduces barriers for formerly incarcerated, aligns with rehabilitation-focused reform.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates hiring preference for transitional program participants, standardizes criminal reviews, and mandates fair denial explanations, advancing workers' access to public employment.95% confidence

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signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jun 13, 2025

PR 26-0209: Modification Nos. M009, M0010, M0011, and M0012 to Contract No. CW96234 with Umbrella Therapeutic Services, Inc. Approval and Payment Authorization Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This bill approves four contract modifications to an existing agreement with Umbrella Therapeutic Services, Inc., to provide pre- and post-transitional care home services for District youth involved in the juvenile justice system who have been arrested or failed probation. It authorizes additional payments totaling $2.6 million (increasing the contract value to $2,636,803.80) to cover services already delivered and to be delivered under the third option year of the contract. Without this approval, the District cannot pay for these essential services provided since March 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds pre/post-transitional care services for juvenile justice youth to reduce recidivism, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

introduced · District of Columbia · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

B 26-0128: Safety Cluster Resource Alignment and Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This bill amends the Clemency Board Establishment Act to allow the Board to waive the 5-year waiting period for pardon applicants when the federal government has already approved a waiver (per DOJ guidelines), but only if the applicant is not on probation, parole, or supervised release. It also updates the Second Chance Amendment Act’s effective date from March 1, 2025, to October 1, 2027. The Board must provide written decisions on waiver requests and may ask for additional information from applicants. As an emergency measure, the bill takes effect immediately but expires after 90 days.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill waives 5-year pardon waiting period under federal waiver, updates Second Chance Amendment for easier record relief and reintegration, advancing criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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