On Tuesday, the DC Council was scheduled to hear B25-0164 - Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Temporary Amendment Act of 2023 during their Legislative meeting. Unfortunately, the vote on that bill has been postponed until the May 16th Legislative Meeting.
The B25-0164 seeks to address various issues within the policing and justice system. The act consists of twelve subtitles, each focusing on a specific area of reform.
Some of the act's key provisions include the prohibition of neck restraints, improvements to access body-worn camera video recordings, and reforms to the Office of Police Complaints. The act also seeks to repeal the anti-mask law and limit consent searches. Additionally, the act aims to expand mandatory continuing education and reconstitute the Police Officers Standards and Training Board. Other provisions of the act include:
Identifying MPD officers during first amendment assemblies as local law enforcement.
Preserving the right to a jury trial.
Amending minimum standards for police officers.
Finally, the act seeks to improve police accountability, reform collective bargaining agreements, and reform officer discipline policies. Overall, the act addresses several areas needing reform within the policing and justice system.
CLPA will provide a full analysis of the bill at later time.