Bill > B26-0203

This bill amends the District of Columbia's kidnapping statute to create a more comprehensive and nuanced legal framework for kidnapping offenses. The legislation establishes two distinct degrees of kidnapping (first and second degree) with specific definitions and intent requirements, along with a new offense of criminal restraint. First-degree kidnapping involves substantially confining or moving a person through various means (such as physical force, coercive threats, or deception) with specific intents like holding for ransom, using as a hostage, or facilitating a felony. Second-degree kidnapping has similar methods but less severe intended purposes. The bill also provides detailed definitions for key terms like "coercive threat," "effective consent," and "substantially confines or moves," which helps clarify the legal standards. Penalties for first-degree kidnapping include up to 30 years imprisonment, while second-degree kidnapping carries a maximum of 15 years. The legislation includes important defenses, particularly for situations involving minors and family members, and allows for some flexibility in prosecution by not requiring unanimous agreement on the specific intent behind the kidnapping. Additionally, the bill creates a new criminal restraint offense with lower penalties, providing a more graduated approach to addressing unlawful confinement or movement of a person.

Justice

https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/B26-0203