Councilmember Christina Henderson

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates a specific stretch of 15th Street NW in Washington, DC, as "Alma Thomas Way" to honor the artist Alma Thomas. The change applies to the section of the street located between Church Street NW and Q Street NW. By renaming the road, the legislation creates a permanent public tribute to Thomas's legacy without altering traffic rules or requiring new funding. The act takes effect after receiving final approval from the Mayor and the Council.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Insurance Regulation Amendment Act of 2024, protects doctors and other healthcare providers in Washington, D.C., from insurance companies punishing them for offering reproductive or gender-affirming care. It specifically prohibits medical malpractice insurers from refusing to issue policies, canceling coverage, or raising rates based solely on a provider's participation in these services, even if the patient lives in a state where such care is illegal. The legislation also clarifies that insurers cannot penalize providers for these actions unless the care itself violates professional misconduct standards under District law. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of covered procedures under existing insurance laws to explicitly include vasectomies, tubal ligations, and up to two reversals of voluntary sterilization without extra costs to the patient.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the District of Columbia Department of Corrections to offer pregnancy testing, counseling, and healthcare options to incarcerated individuals who are pregnant or may be pregnant. It mandates that the department provide necessary medical supplies, such as breast pumps and storage equipment, at no cost to support breastfeeding and postpartum care. Additionally, the law ensures that pregnant individuals can request a support person to be present during labor, delivery, and recovery, with strict rules limiting denials based on the supporter's criminal history. The legislation also establishes a private right of action allowing individuals to sue for damages if the department fails to comply with these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the District of Columbia's mental health laws to improve crisis support and clarify who can take action during emergencies. It primarily affects healthcare workers, including a new provision that allows qualified psychiatric nurse practitioners to initiate emergency hospitalization for individuals at risk of harming themselves or others. The legislation also extends the time courts have to hold certain hearings regarding a defendant's continued detention and clarifies the authority of guardians to consent to medical care for their wards. Additionally, the act requires the Department of Behavioral Health to create online training materials to help staff understand these mental health laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows retired police officers and firefighters in Washington, D.C., to be rehired as temporary 911 call takers or dispatchers without losing their retirement benefits. The decision to rehire these individuals will be made at the discretion of the Director of the Office of Unified Communications, and the work can be either full-time or part-time. While the bill permits this reemployment, any service performed under these new roles will not count toward future retirement credit. The legislation also updates related retirement laws to clarify that these specific rehires do not affect annuitant status.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Certified Nurse Aide profession in the District of Columbia by merging the titles for nurse aides and home-health aides into a single, unified role. It creates a new advisory committee to set education and competency standards for this profession and introduces a fast-track temporary license for qualified workers from Maryland and Virginia to practice in the District. Additionally, the legislation increases the minimum wage and payment scale for direct support professionals to an average of 120% of the District's minimum wage. These changes directly affect healthcare workers in nursing homes and residential care facilities, as well as the agencies that employ them.

Maddy summaryThis temporary bill allows retired police officers and firefighters in Washington, D.C., to be rehired as 911 call takers or dispatchers without risking their retirement benefits. The decision to hire these individuals as either full-time or part-time staff rests with the Director of the Office of Unified Communications. While the work performed under this program does not count toward future pension credits, it ensures that these veterans can return to service without financial penalty. The legislation is set to expire 225 days after it takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Public Charter School Board to provide free training for new and returning members of public charter school boards in Washington, D.C. The training must cover essential topics like financial management, school operations, and legal responsibilities and must be completed within 90 days of a member taking office, with annual refreshers required thereafter. By mandating this education, the legislation aims to ensure that board members have the necessary knowledge to govern effectively and maintain financial accountability. The program is set to begin during the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares an emergency to temporarily exempt certain liquor stores and bars from a law requiring them to accept cash payments. The measure directly affects retail establishments holding valid Class C or Class D alcohol licenses, allowing them to refuse cash to reduce the risk of robbery and burglary. It acknowledges that while a 2020 law generally prohibited cash refusal, safety concerns for employees have led to a temporary pause on this rule until January 1, 2025. The bill cites rising contactless payment usage and declining cash transactions as context for balancing business safety with the needs of unbanked consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the District of Columbia's insurance laws to protect students by defining and preventing abusive practices by private education lenders and loan servicers. It requires the creation of a revised Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights by January 1, 2025, and clarifies the rights of borrowers regarding fees, payments, and loan terms. The legislation also establishes specific rules for handling cosigners and disability discharges, while automatically granting limited servicing licenses to federal loan servicers that meet certain criteria. Additionally, it empowers the Attorney General to take legal action against entities that violate these new consumer protection standards.