Bill > B26-0355

This bill amends the Juvenile Curfew Act of 1995 to modify and expand juvenile curfew regulations in the District of Columbia. The key changes include starting the daily juvenile curfew at 11 p.m. for most months, extending the curfew age to include 17-year-olds, and providing new mechanisms for the Mayor and Chief of Police to establish extended curfew hours in specific circumstances. The Mayor can now temporarily extend curfew hours across the District or in specific areas if they determine it is necessary to protect public safety or property, with restrictions on the duration and timing of such extensions. Similarly, the Chief of Police can designate "extended juvenile curfew hour zones" where special curfew rules apply, based on factors like recent crime reports, potential public disturbances, or intelligence about potential large group gatherings. When enforcing these curfew rules, police are required to provide verbal warnings and opportunities for juveniles to disperse before potential arrest, and must document these interactions on body-worn cameras. The bill also allows Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, business improvement districts, and Main Street organizations to petition the Chief of Police to establish extended curfew zones in their areas, though the final decision remains at the Chief's discretion. This emergency amendment is designed to be in effect for up to 90 days and aims to enhance public safety by more strictly regulating juvenile presence in public spaces during nighttime hours.

https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/B26-0355