Labor & Employment

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Feb 7, 2025

B 26-0100: Deferred Retirement Option Program Amendment Act of 2025

This bill creates a new deferred retirement program for eligible District of Columbia firefighters (FEMS) and police officers (MPD). It allows retirement-eligible members to continue working for up to three years after their normal retirement date while earning supplemental retirement benefits in a separate interest-bearing account. Upon completing the three-year period, members permanently leave city service, and the accumulated funds plus interest are distributed to them. The program specifically applies to sworn officers covered by the Fraternal Order of Police (MPD) and International Association of Firefighters (FEMS) collective bargaining agreements. This aims to improve retention of experienced staff and help departments better plan staffing needs.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates supplemental retirement benefits for DC firefighters/police, enhancing post-retirement financial security and expanding employment benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

Track

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

B 26-0043: Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program Creditable Service Benefit Amendment Act of 2025

This bill amends the Youth Employment Act of 1979 to allow participants in the Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) to count their program participation toward retirement credit if they later become District government employees. Specifically, SYEP service will be credited from the participant's enrollment date for those who complete the program and join the District workforce, as defined in the bill. It also updates the District's personnel act to reflect this change in retirement credit calculation. The bill directly affects SYEP participants who transition to District government jobs by expanding their eligibility for retirement benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands retirement benefits for SYEP participants who become District employees, directly enhancing worker benefits under employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor

Track

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jan 16, 2026

PR 26-0299: First Responder Retention Efforts Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This resolution declares an emergency to amend two existing laws affecting District of Columbia public safety staffing. It would expand the Metropolitan Police Department's Senior Officer Program to allow rehiring of retired lieutenants (previously excluded) and eliminate the mandatory retirement age of 60 for both police officers and Fire and Emergency Medical Services workers. These changes aim to retain experienced personnel by enabling rehiring of qualified lieutenants and extending careers for seasoned staff. The resolution cites current staffing shortages (MPD at 3,200 officers vs. a target of 4,000) as justification for expedited action. It does not create new law but seeks to modify existing retirement and redeployment provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens law enforcement staffing by removing barriers to rehire retired lieutenants and extending careers, directly supporting the law enforcement component of criminal justice.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands employment retention for first responders by removing retirement barriers, strengthening career opportunities and protecting worker rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Tags Public Safety

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jul 10, 2026

B 26-0463: Judith Heumann Memorial Workers with Disabilities Act of 2025

The Judith Heumann Memorial Workers with Disabilities Act of 2025 would create a District of Columbia program allowing employed residents with disabilities to maintain Medicaid health coverage while earning income above current eligibility limits. It establishes a "Medicaid Buy-In" system where participants pay modest monthly premiums based on income relative to the Federal Poverty Level, avoiding the current dilemma where people earning over $1,305/month (single) or $1,763/month (two-person household) lose Medicaid coverage. Eligible individuals must be DC residents aged 16-64 with a federally defined disability, currently employed (with a temporary unemployment grace period), and enrolled through the Department of Health Care Finance. The program includes hardship exemptions for premium payments and allows "Independence Accounts" for savings toward self-sufficiency expenses, while participants receive standard Medicaid health services through participating providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates Medicaid Buy-In program allowing disabled workers to maintain health coverage while earning above income limits, expanding access to healthcare without restricting benefits.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables workers with disabilities to maintain Medicaid while earning above current income limits, removing a barrier to employment and supporting workforce participation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Oct 10, 2025

PR 26-0308: Salary Schedule Changes for Non-Union, Uniformed Police Officials of the Metropolitan Police Department Emergency Approval Resolution of 2025

This resolution approves equal pay for non-union, uniformed police officials in the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) by retroactively applying a 4.5% salary increase to match unionized officers' pay scales. It covers fiscal years 2024 (retroactive to October 8, 2023), 2025 (retroactive to October 6, 2024), and 2026 (effective October 5, 2025). The changes affect non-union MPD officers in specific ranks (e.g., Lieutenants and Captains) under the "Police Service" pay schedule, ensuring their base pay, retention allowances, and longevity payments align with unionized counterparts. The resolution takes effect October 1, 2025, after approval.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates retroactive salary increases for non-union police officers, increasing government spending on public safety personnel through fiscal adjustments.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates retroactive pay increase to match unionized officers' salaries, advancing wage equity for non-union police officers and strengthening compensation rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Employment Discrimination

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Nov 21, 2025

PR 26-0369: UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company Health Benefits Contract Emergency Approval Resolution of 2025

This emergency resolution (PR 26-0369) approves a $595.8 million, five-year contract with UnitedHealthcare to provide fully insured health benefits to District of Columbia employees, their dependents, and retirees. The contract replaces the current health benefits provider under the D.C. Employees Health Benefits Program. It requires immediate Council approval to take effect without standard legislative review periods. The resolution bypasses normal procedural timelines due to the "emergency" designation, as stated in the mayor's request.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareApproves $595.8M contract with UnitedHealthcare to provide health benefits for D.C. employees, maintaining coverage and funding under the Employees Health Benefits Program.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentApproves $595.8M health benefits contract for D.C. employees, directly advancing employment benefits and workplace welfare under the Employees Health Benefits Program.95% confidence

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jun 27, 2025

PR 26-0219: Ninth Master Agreement between the University of the District of Columbia and the University of the District of Columbia Faculty Association/National Education Association Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This bill is an emergency resolution to approve the Ninth Master Agreement between the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and its faculty union (UDC Faculty Association/NEA). It directly affects UDC faculty covered by the agreement, providing a new salary structure for Fiscal Year 2025, a 3% cost-of-living adjustment, catch-up payments for promotions from 2022-2024, and service-based pay increases. The resolution declares an emergency to fast-track approval of these compensation terms, which UDC claims are necessary to retain and attract faculty in a competitive higher education market. The agreement itself covers the period October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill approves salary increases and cost-of-living adjustments for UDC faculty, requiring government spending on public education. Directly funds a public service through budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationApproves new faculty compensation with 3% COLA, catch-up pay, and service increases, directly supporting higher education staff benefits and retention.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentApproves salary increases, 3% COLA, and catch-up payments for UDC faculty via union agreement, advancing wages and collective bargaining outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Nov 21, 2025

B 26-0433: Early Childhood Educator Pay Scales Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This bill updates minimum pay scales for early childhood educators in Washington D.C. starting January 2026, directly affecting child care facilities and their assistant/lead teachers. It establishes specific annual salary tables based on credentials (e.g., $48,736/year for CDA-certified assistant teachers, $71,010/year for bachelor’s-level lead teachers). Child care facilities receiving funds from the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund must use those monies to meet these new minimums. The law also requires annual reports analyzing salary competitiveness, regional comparisons, and funding needs to adjust future pay scales.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases pay for early childhood educators via mandated salary tables ($48k-$71k) and requires use of dedicated funds to meet new minimums, directly supporting teacher compensation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes mandated minimum pay scales for educators, directly increasing wages based on credentials and requiring fund usage to meet new standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Teachers Employment Discrimination

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Jan 9, 2026

B 26-0442: Interstate Social Work Licensure Compact Act of 2025

The Interstate Social Work Licensure Compact Act of 2025 allows District of Columbia social workers to practice across state lines - including via telehealth - without obtaining separate licenses in each state, by joining a national compact. It directly affects licensed social workers, clients who move or travel (like military families, students, and federal employees), and DC’s social work workforce. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses among participating states, preservation of DC’s existing alternative licensure pathway for graduate students, and maintaining DC’s authority to regulate practice and take adverse action against licensees. The bill reduces administrative barriers while ensuring social workers comply with client location laws and preserving local regulatory standards.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves licensure barriers for social workers enabling cross-state practice, supporting employment mobility for a specific profession.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

Track

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Feb 28, 2025

B 26-0084: Youth Workforce Development Programs Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This bill modifies three existing laws to enhance safety and funding for District of Columbia youth workforce programs. It removes restrictions on using employment funds for food/beverages for program participants, expands the definition of "covered child services provider" to include host employer staff/volunteers working directly with youth, and authorizes background checks for these individuals. The changes specifically affect summer youth employment programs administered by the Department of Employment Services, requiring host employers to conduct background checks on staff with unsupervised youth contact. The bill is designated as an emergency measure, effective for 90 days.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves funding restrictions for youth program essentials and mandates safety background checks for staff, enhancing participant safety and support within workforce development programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Workforce Development