Bill > HR356

This bill aims to transfer the responsibility for prosecuting violations of District of Columbia (DC) laws from the US Attorney's Office to a locally designated prosecutor's office. Specifically, the bill amends section 23-101 of the DC Official Code to allow the head of a local prosecutor's office to conduct prosecutions for DC municipal ordinances, regulations, and penal statutes. The bill provides a one-year transition period for DC to establish the local prosecutor's office through local law, and ensures that employees of the current US Attorney's Office who transition to the new local office will retain their federal employment benefits. Importantly, the bill does not affect the authority of the US Attorney General or US Attorney to prosecute federal law violations. This change represents a significant step towards home rule in DC, giving local authorities more control over prosecuting local criminal offenses and bringing DC closer to having autonomy similar to other local jurisdictions in the United States.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/356/all-info