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B 26-0152

Second Chance Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2025

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Brooke Pinto

Provides temporary clarifications to the Second Chance program rules (record relief and related processes) through June 2025, affecting eligibility and procedures.

Law L26-0009, Effective from Jun 10, 2025 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 006763, Expires on Jan 21, 2026
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Bill Summary · B 26-0152

Summary — B 26-0152: Second Chance Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2025

Short description / purpose

B 26-0152 is a temporary amendment enacted to clarify provisions of the District’s “Second Chance” framework (a law/program that addresses reentry, criminal record relief, and barriers to employment and housing for people with past criminal convictions). The enacted measure is titled the Second Chance Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 and was made law as L26-0009. The available bill metadata does not include the bill text in the materials you provided; the title and legislative actions indicate the intent was to clarify how existing Second Chance rules are applied during a limited, temporary period.

Key procedural facts and timeline

  • Introduced: March 3, 2025 (by Councilmember Pinto)
  • First reading / retained by Council: March 4, 2025
  • Notice of Intent published in D.C. Register: March 7, 2025
  • Final reading (Council): April 1, 2025
  • Transmitted to Mayor: April 7, 2025 (response due Apr 22, 2025)
  • Returned from Mayor / Signed and enacted (Act A26-0046): April 22, 2025
  • Act published in D.C. Register (Act A26-0046): Apr 25, 2025 — DC Register Vol. 72, p. 004890
  • Transmitted to Congress: April 28, 2025
  • Became law (Law L26-0009), effective June 10, 2025; published in D.C. Register Vol. 72, p. 006763
  • Expiration: The law is temporary and is scheduled to expire January 21, 2026

What the bill likely addresses

  • The bill’s title indicates it provides clarifying amendments (not a permanent policy overhaul) to existing Second Chance provisions. Typical clarifications in such temporary amendments may address:
    • Eligibility criteria or definitions used to determine who qualifies for remedies under Second Chance (e.g., sealing/setting aside records, employment protections)
    • Administrative procedures or timelines for agencies or courts implementing Second Chance processes
    • Interaction between Second Chance relief and other statutory or regulatory requirements
    • Short-term implementation rules to be in place while a longer-term legislative fix or regulatory guidance is developed

Note: The exact statutory language and specific amendments are not included in the provided materials; the points above describe the types of clarifications commonly reflected by this sort of temporary amendment.

Who is affected

  • District residents with prior convictions or pending matters who seek record relief, sealing, or other Second Chance benefits
  • D.C. agencies and courts tasked with implementing Second Chance procedures
  • Employers, landlords, licensing agencies, and service providers who rely on background checks or must follow statutory restrictions related to applicants’ records
  • Legal aid providers and reentry organizations that advise affected individuals

Impact and significance

  • The measure is temporary (expires Jan 21, 2026), so its principal effect is to provide interim clarity or procedural rules while longer-term policy or permanent statutory changes are considered.
  • It may change short-term administrative practices (how petitions are filed, processed, or adjudicated) and immediate eligibility determinations, thereby affecting access to employment, housing, licensing, and other opportunities for impacted residents.

Where to find the full text

To review precise amendments and operative language:
- Search for Act A26-0046 (published Apr 25, 2025) in the D.C. Register, Vol. 72, p. 004890
- Search for Law L26-0009 (effective Jun 10, 2025) in the D.C. Register, Vol. 72, p. 006763
- Alternatively, consult the D.C. Council legislative information system or contact Councilmember Pinto’s office for the bill text and legislative history.

If you want, I can fetch the exact act language (if you provide the text or allow me to search public sources) and prepare a clause-by-clause summary of the amendments.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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