Bill > HR5016

This bill prohibits the District of Columbia (DC) from releasing individuals charged with an offense before trial without requiring them to execute a secured appearance bond (a type of financial guarantee that ensures the defendant will appear in court). Specifically, the bill prevents the DC Council and Mayor from creating or enforcing any rules that would allow a person to be released on personal recognizance (without paying bail). The legislation amends existing DC law to remove provisions for personal recognizance release and adds a new prohibition in the Home Rule Act that explicitly bars release without a bail bond. The bill applies to all individuals charged with an offense who appear before a judicial officer, whether before, on, or after the date of enactment. If any part of the bill is found to be invalid, the remaining provisions would still stand. The overall intent is to ensure that individuals charged with crimes cannot be released without a financial commitment to return to court, with the goal of keeping potentially dangerous offenders from being released back into the community before their trial.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5016/all-info