Councilmember McDuffie’s Use of Force Provision Passed as Part of Emergency Justice and Police Reform Legislation

Councilmember McDuffie’s Use of Force Provision Passed as Part of Emergency Justice and Police Reform Legislation

McDuffie's Use of Force Provision Passed as Part of Emergency Justice and Police Reform Legislation Washington, D.C. -- Today, the Council of the District of Columbia unanimously passed the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 [B23-0774], which includes use of force reforms drafted by Councilmember McDuffie. The goal of the measure is to reduce and effectively abolish instances of unlawful use of force by defining specific factors that must be considered when determining whether an exercise of force or deadly force is reasonable. Additional measures included in the legislation passed today include: Prohibits the use of neck restraints…
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McDuffie Offers Provision to Define Police Use-of-Force Measures

McDuffie Offers Provision to Define Police Use-of-Force Measures

McDuffie Offers Provision to Define Police Use-of-Force Measures The new language requires consideration of whether the person had a deadly weapon and if the police attempted de-escalation tactics Washington, D.C. – In light of the tragic deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and countless more black Americans at the hands of law enforcement, the District of Columbia Council is expected to take up emergency legislation on June 9, 2020. Councilmember McDuffie has drafted a provision he hopes to include that would establish when the use of force or use of deadly force by a police officer may be justifiable…
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McDuffie Leads Council on Support for Nightlife Small Businesses and Mortgage Relief

McDuffie Leads Council on Support for Nightlife Small Businesses and Mortgage Relief

McDuffie Leads Council on Support for Nightlife Small Businesses and Mortgage Relief The provisions, passed by the Council today, are an expansion and clarification of the previously passed Council legislation in response to coronavirus Washington, DC – Today, Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, Chair Pro Tempore and Chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, and his Council colleagues passed legislation that clarified important transparency provisions of the mortgage protections included in the previously passed, COVID-19 Response Supplemental Temporary Amendment Act of 2020 [B23-734] and allow nightclubs to sell alcoholic beverages and food for off-premise purposes. Mortgage Relief Emergency Amendment…
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Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie on Passage of Additional Emergency Legislation in Response to Coronavirus

Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie on Passage of Additional Emergency Legislation in Response to Coronavirus

Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie on Passage of Additional Emergency Legislation in Response to Coronavirus Legislation includes mortgage relief, support for CBEs, and expanded consumer protections Washington, DC – Today, the Council of the District of Columbia passed the COVID-19 Response Supplemental Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 [B23-733]. Upon passage, Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, Chair Pro Tempore and Chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, released the following statement: “Since the Council last met under our current public health emergency, the District has undergone a significant health, social, and economic transformation as the COVID-19 public health emergency touches nearly…
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McDuffie Statement Upon Passage of Emergency Legislation in Response to Coronavirus

McDuffie Statement Upon Passage of Emergency Legislation in Response to Coronavirus

McDuffie Statement Upon Passage of Emergency Legislation in Response to Coronavirus Washington, D.C. -- With the passage of the COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020, Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie released the following statement. "Today, the Council of the District of Columbia passed legislation to provide emergency relief to the residents and small businesses of the District of Columbia in the face of an unprecedented public health crisis. While it is true that we find ourselves in unchartered territory, I have found hope and optimism in seeing all branches of government, businesses, residents, and staff come together to find solutions…
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McDuffie Introduces Bill to Create African American and Cultural Studies Course at District High Schools

McDuffie Introduces Bill to Create African American and Cultural Studies Course at District High Schools

McDuffie Introduces Bill to Create African American and Cultural Studies Course at District High Schools As introduced, the legislation requires that the course be counted toward graduation requirements The new course seeks to increase student proficiency and engagement while offering a full and unvarnished telling of American history Washington, DC – Today, Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie introduced the African American and Cultural Studies Inclusion Amendment Act of 2020 [B23-0642]. The legislation, which was co-introduced by twelve Councilmembers, will require the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) to develop an African American and Cultural Studies curriculum for high…
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McDuffie Introduces Bill to Seal the Records of Individuals with Nonviolent Drug Offenses

McDuffie Introduces Bill to Seal the Records of Individuals with Nonviolent Drug Offenses

Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie Introduces Bill to Seal the Records of Individuals with Nonviolent Drug Offenses The proposed legislation will expand the ability for ex-offenders to have their records sealed after a period of 3 years for qualifying misdemeanors convictions and 7 years for qualifying felony convictions Washington, D.C. -- Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, Chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, introduced the District of Columbia Clean Slate Amendment Act of 2019 [B23-0401]. The proposed legislation will: Amend the definition of the “completion of sentence” to clarify that failure to pay fines and fees does not count towards…
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McDuffie Leads Council in Passing Emergency Legislation to Ensure Financial Feasibility of MLK Gateway Development

McDuffie Leads Council in Passing Emergency Legislation to Ensure Financial Feasibility of MLK Gateway Development

Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie Leads Council in Passing Emergency Legislation to Ensure Financial Feasibility of MLK Gateway Development The proposed legislation ensures the financial feasibility of the development by providing an emergency tax abatement and amending the term sheets to allow 1909-1913 Martin Luther King, Jr Avenue, SE to be transferred to a fee simple sale Washington, DC -- Today, Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, Chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, led the Council in passing emergency legislation to ensure financial feasibility of the MLK Gateway Development. The MLK Gateway Development team is utilizing new market tax credits…
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McDuffie Introduces Bill to Provide Additional Retirement Benefits to Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Participants

McDuffie Introduces Bill to Provide Additional Retirement Benefits to Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Participants

Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie Introduces Bill to Provide Additional Retirement Benefits to Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Participants Washington, D.C. -- Today, Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, Chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development introduced the Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program Credible Service Benefit Amendment Act of 2019. The legislation would provide that participation in a Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) will contribute to creditable service for purposes of retirement for a participant who becomes a District of Columbia government employee anytime following the participant’s successful completion of MBSYEP. With introduction of this legislation,…
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McDuffie Introduces Legislation to Build Statues of Women and People of Color from the District of Columbia

McDuffie Introduces Legislation to Build Statues of Women and People of Color from the District of Columbia

McDuffie Introduces Legislation to Build Statues of Women and People of Color from the District of Columbia Among the Local Heroes to be Honored are a Groundbreaking Surgeon, a Military Hero, Trailblazing Educators, and a Renowned Musician Washington, DC – Today, Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, Chair Pro Tempore and Chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, introduced the Diverse Native Washingtonians Commemorative Works Amendment Act of 2019 [B23-0233]. This legislation builds upon Councilmember McDuffie’s successful effort during 2017 and 2018 to secure funding for a statue of Charles Hamilton Houston, a native Washingtonian, legal genius, and civil rights…
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