Criminal Justice (Domestic Violence)

This bill is a confirmation resolution that officially appoints Tia Minor, a resident of Ward 8, to the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board. The appointment fills a vacant seat previously held by Dana King and is for the remainder of the unexpired term ending on July 20, 2028. Tia Minor brings relevant experience in community relations, women's policy, and health equity from her previous roles with organizations like MedStar Family Choice DC and the Mayor's Office on Women's Policy. The resolution confirms her nomination by the Mayor and directs the Council to transmit a copy of the adopted document to both the nominee and the Mayor.

This bill, known as the Protecting Victims Amendment Act of 2026, aims to strengthen safety measures for victims of domestic violence and improve accountability for offenders in the District of Columbia. It introduces stricter penalties for repeated violations of protection orders, expands pretrial detention options for individuals with a history of domestic violence, and clarifies laws regarding kidnapping and burglary to close existing legal gaps. Additionally, the legislation updates statutes to address crimes committed in the presence of children and restricts the Metropolitan Police Department from publicly releasing identifying information about victims and witnesses. These changes collectively seek to enhance community safety by ensuring more consistent enforcement of court orders and providing clearer tools for the justice system to handle intrafamily offenses.