Councilmember Robert White

Maddy summaryThis bill extends a temporary requirement for landlords in the District of Columbia to offer rent payment plans to eligible tenants who faced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The law mandates that property providers maintain these plans, which allow tenants to pay rent in equal monthly installments without incurring fees, interest, or penalties, while also protecting their lease rights and preventing eviction or negative credit reporting as long as they adhere to the plan. Eligible tenants include residential renters and small commercial tenants who notified their landlords of an inability to pay full rent because of the public health emergency. If a landlord denies a payment plan application, the tenant can file a complaint with the appropriate District agency for review.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends temporary foreclosure protections for homeowners in the District of Columbia who applied for assistance from the DC Homeowner Assistance Fund before September 30, 2022, and whose applications are still pending. It prevents lenders and other creditors from initiating or conducting foreclosures, sales, or redemption judgments against these homeowners until their applications are fully processed or denied. Additionally, the law requires that all foreclosure notices sent to affected residents include information about the assistance program and how it might help resolve their debts. The legislation also mandates that the Mayor provide necessary documentation to applicants and publish sample warning notices to help lenders communicate effectively with homeowners.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares a legislative emergency to prevent a gap in foreclosure protections between two related laws in the District of Columbia. It ensures that homeowners who applied for assistance from the DC Homeowner Assistance Fund before September 30, 2022, continue to receive notices about the program before any foreclosure action is taken. The measure also maintains existing rules that pause foreclosures for these applicants while their applications are still being reviewed or appealed. By acting immediately, the resolution bridges the time until a separate temporary law is expected to take effect in December 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily extends a moratorium on voluntary agreements in the District of Columbia until January 1, 2025. It directly affects landlords and tenants by preventing the use of these specific legal contracts to terminate rental leases during this period. The law achieves this by amending the Rental Housing Act of 1985 to update the expiration date of the existing ban. The measure will remain in effect for 225 days after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the District of Columbia to create a temporary office and programs designed to help recent immigrants settle in the area, obtain healthcare, and access emergency shelter. Under the new provisions, the Mayor can provide food, clothing, temporary housing, medical care, relocation assistance, cash aid, and legal referrals to eligible newcomers, while also allowing grants to be given to nonprofit organizations for these services. The legislation clarifies that these specific migrant services are separate from existing homeless services and establishes rules for determining who qualifies for aid, ensuring that eligibility criteria are published in both English and Spanish. Additionally, the act amends the Homeless Services Reform Act to exclude certain individuals who have been paroled into the United States since April 2022 from being considered permanent residents for shelter purposes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares a legal emergency to prevent a gap in protections for renters in Washington, D.C., that would occur if a temporary pause on voluntary housing agreements expired before a new law takes effect. It allows the Council to extend the moratorium on these agreements immediately without waiting for the standard legislative process, which typically requires multiple readings and waiting periods. The measure directly affects landlords and tenants by ensuring that the rules preventing landlords from forcing tenants to sign new lease terms remain in place continuously.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily updates District of Columbia housing and building codes to require that large subsidized residential and mixed-use projects meet specific net-zero energy and all-electric standards. It mandates that any new construction of 50,000 square feet or more receiving funding from the Housing Production Trust Fund must satisfy these environmental criteria starting in October 2025, though it allows for a lower standard if officials determine it is necessary to ensure affordable housing development. The legislation also requires the Department of Buildings to submit regular reports on progress toward creating universal net-zero energy regulations and to hold public meetings with stakeholders. Additionally, the act removes conflicting net-zero energy compliance rules from the Green Building Act that previously applied to residential and mixed-use projects. These changes are set to expire once final regulations are established or after 225 days, whichever comes first.

Maddy summaryThe Medical Malpractice Clarification Amendment Act of 2024 prevents medical malpractice insurers in the District of Columbia from penalizing healthcare providers for offering reproductive health care or gender-affirming care. Specifically, the bill prohibits insurers from refusing to issue or renew policies, charging higher rates, or imposing fines solely because a provider assisted a patient with these services, even if the patient lives in a state where such care is illegal. The law defines reproductive health care to include services related to pregnancy, contraception, and abortion, while gender-affirming care is defined by existing district legislation. This protection applies to all licensed healthcare entities but does not shield providers from penalties related to actual professional misconduct.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends an existing law to require private health insurance plans in the District of Columbia to cover abortion and related services without charging patients any deductibles, copayments, or other fees. It mandates that these services be provided without discrimination based on factors such as age, race, gender identity, or sexual orientation, while explicitly excluding Medicaid from these new requirements. The legislation also updates other sections of the health code to ensure consistency with the mandate for covering abortion care alongside other reproductive health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary Stabilization and Reform Board to take over leadership of the District of Columbia Housing Authority. The new board will consist of nine voting members selected for their specific expertise in housing, finance, and homelessness, along with two non-voting members from city offices. Key provisions include defining what counts as a dwelling unit and requiring the board to implement specific actions to revitalize the agency's operations. The legislation also allows the mayor to appoint certain board members immediately without waiting for council approval.