Bill
B 26-0186
Reduces youth incarceration in DC by expanding community-based diversion, reentry, and coordinated services for justice-involved youth and their families.
Status and procedural history
- Bill number: B26-0186
- Title: Justice-Involved Youth in Community Act of 2025
- Introduced: March 24, 2025 by Councilmember Pinto
- Current status: Roundtable held on May 14, 2025; bill has been referred and re-referred among committees (initial referral to Judiciary and Public Safety; comments and re-referral involving the Committee on Youth Affairs). Multiple public hearings and notices were published in April 2025.
- Key recent steps: Notice of Intent published (3/28/25); public hearings and hearing records in late April; Re-Referral published (4/25/25); Roundtable (5/14/25).
What we know (title and process)
- The official text of the bill was not included in the materials provided here. The bill’s title — “Justice-Involved Youth in Community Act of 2025” — and its referral to Judiciary and Public Safety and the Youth Affairs committee indicate it focuses on policies affecting youth who are or have been involved with the juvenile justice system in the District of Columbia.
Likely purpose and intent (based on title and committee referrals)
- Reduce reliance on incarceration and increase community-based supports for youth involved with the justice system.
- Improve outcomes (public safety, education, employment, mental/behavioral health) for justice-involved youth by expanding diversion, reentry, and support services.
- Strengthen interagency coordination (courts, youth services, education, child welfare, behavioral health) and data collection to evaluate program effectiveness.
Typical provisions such a bill might include
- Authorization or expansion of community-based diversion programs and alternatives to detention.
- Funding streams or budget allocations for case management, mental health/substance-use services, housing support, educational continuity, and employment training for youth.
- Requirements for record sealing/expungement or limits on collateral consequences for youth with juvenile adjudications.
- Directed coordination among District agencies (e.g., Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, Court services, Department of Behavioral Health, and schools) and creation of a steering or oversight body.
- Performance metrics, reporting requirements, and a fiscal impact analysis requirement.
- Protections for youth privacy and safeguards for data sharing.
Who would be affected
- Primary: youth who are currently or formerly involved in the juvenile justice system, and their families.
- Secondary: District agencies (juvenile justice, child welfare, behavioral health, education), community-based providers, courts, and the City’s budget. Potential public-safety and community stakeholders would also be affected by changes in diversion or reentry services.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Positive: reduced youth incarceration, improved youth outcomes (education, employment, mental health), and long‑term public-safety benefits.
- Fiscal: up-front costs to expand community services; potential long-term savings if incarceration is reduced. A Fiscal Impact Statement (often required) will clarify budget effects.
- Operational: requires interagency coordination, capacity-building for community providers, and clear metrics to measure success.
- Legal/administrative: changes to record handling, court processes, or eligibility rules may require implementing regulations.
Next steps and where to find more information
- Watch for the bill text, committee reports, and any Fiscal Impact Statement posted by the Council of the District of Columbia or the Office of the Secretary. Public hearing records (late April) and the May 14 roundtable are available through Council records for further detail. Future actions to monitor: committee amendments, committee vote, Council vote, and executive (mayoral) action.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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