Dear Neighbor,

We have a crisis here in the District: domestic-violence related incidents are increasing in our communities, and we have to take action now to better protect our residents. In DC, around 41 percent of women will have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence, or stalking in their lifetimes – a staggering and wholly unacceptable reality. This is why I introduced a new bill to support survivors of domestic violence by reducing violence, increasing survivor support, and protecting victim privacy. I am committed to fighting for protective laws to ensure every person can feel safe in their own home.  

The “Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence and Abuse Amendment Act of 2026” will:

• Establish a Domestic Violence Response Unit at MPD to reduce and respond to incidents of domestic violence

• Amend the law to clarify how firearms must be surrendered when a civil protection order is violated

• Amend the law to clarify judges may consider violations of protective orders and anti-stalking orders and prior convictions of domestic violence offenses as high-risk factors when determining whether to order pretrial detention

• Close a loophole to protect victim privacy by amending public record laws to ensure body-worn camera MPD footage involving a domestic violence- or human-trafficking-related offense is not subject to public release

• Ensure domestic violence hotline provides assistance for victims of economic abuse

I want to thank my colleagues Chairman Phil Mendelson, and Councilmembers Charles Allen, Christina Henderson, Matthew Frumin, Elissa Silverman, Brianne Nadeau, Zachary Parker, and Anita Bonds for co-introducing this important bill. You can read more about my new bill to support domestic violence survivors here.

Additionally, I want to address concerns I unfortunately continue to hear from parents, teachers, and students about the presence of National Guard troops near our schools and in residential areas – it’s leading to understandable fear. I, along with my colleagues on the DC Council, the Mayor, and our DC Delegate, have insisted the National Guard troops stay away from our school zones. This is a request I have repeatedly made, but the issue persists. This is unacceptable and creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation – the National Guard must keep its distance from our schools. As Chairwoman of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, I am holding a public hearing on November 5th that will allow DC residents to provide testimony about the ongoing federal presence in the District and discuss available local legislative interventions we can use to provide additional safety and oversight.

Yours in Service,

Brooke

Legislative Updates

FULL COUNCIL FIRST FALL LEGISLATIVE SESSION

On Tuesday, September 22nd, the DC Council held its first fall 2026 legislative session.

The Council approved the “Climatizing Our Overheated Living Spaces Regulation Amendment Act” in the first of two votes needed to pass. This bill updates DC housing code requirements for rental housing heating and air conditioning. Councilmember Pinto continues to hear from constituents every spring and fall about unbearable and unhealthy temperatures in their apartments and supports this proposal to better protect our residents. As the impacts of climate change bring warmer weather earlier in the spring and later warmer weather in the fall, we must be responsive to these changes and ensure that our housing laws and regulations reflect this reality.  

The Council also approved an emergency bill to support start up costs for the launch of a new Duke Business Improvement District (BID) for the Shaw/U Street neighborhoods. This will help support the vibrancy of this commercial corridor and maintenance of public space in these areas.

JUDICIARY AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE HEARING

On Wednesday, September 23rd, the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety held a public hearing on multiple bills:

• Councilmember Pinto's bill called the First Responders Facilities Modernization Act, which would establish a modernization plan for all Fire & EMS and MPD facilities in DC

• Councilmember Pinto’s bill called the Smoke Detector Safety Amendment Act, which would prohibit the sale of smoke detectors that are not tamper-resistant in the District

• Councilmember Pinto's bill called the Arena Safety Conformity Amendment Act,which would prohibit unauthorized entry onto a playing surface to include Capital One Arena Downtown and Audi Field in Southeast

• The Let Our Vows Endure Amendment Act, introduced by Councilmember Henderson that Councilmember Pinto co-introduced, which would establish a code of law for the mayor to issue marriage licenses and authorize temporary marriage officiants during a federal government shutdown

• The Illegal Occupancy Enforcement Amendment Act, which would amend the short-term rental law to clarify that a guest has no lawful right to remain after the conclusion of their stay

• The Protecting Judicial Privacy Act, which would prohibit the public display of a judicial officer’s personal information

• The Clemency Board Waiver Authority Amendment Act, which would align eligibility for a letter of support from the DC Clemency Board with US Department of Justice (DOJ) eligibility for clemency in cases where DOJ has waived the five-year waiting period  

The hearing included testimony about the urgent need to update and modernize our MPD and Fire & EMS facilities. These facilities are used 24 hours a day, seven days a week all year round and are vital to ensuring the public safety of residents and visitors.  

Chairwoman Pinto also questioned witnesses about illegal occupancy in short-term rentals.Her goal is to ensure that short-term guests cannot claim greater rights to a property than the homeowner after their agreed-upon time for a stay ends.

TRANSPORTATION & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE HEARING AND HOUSING COMMITTEE HEARING

On Thursday, September 24th, Councilmember Pinto joined the Committee on Transportation and the Environment hearing to discuss the importance of supporting businesses in the U Street and Shaw areas. She is thrilled to be working with Councilmember Nadeau and the local businesses on creating a Duke Business Improvement District (BID) for these neighborhoods to support long-time businesses, better management of public space, and improve quality of life and services for our residents and visitors.  

Councilmember Pinto also joined the Housing Committee to hear testimony and question housing providers, tenant advocates, developers, and DC government housing officials about the Mayor’s proposed “Housing Investment Protection Act”. She believes we must make sure we can build new housing, attract new investments, and reduce housing costs for DC residents. Having a housing ecosystem that is functioning properly and reliably is critical to that mission and this bill proposes important changes.

In the Community

Councilmember Pinto and Team Pinto recently have met with residents, advocacy groups, and local partners across the District, including:

• Speaking at the DC Chamber’s State of the District Conference to share Councilmember Pinto’s vision for more investment, more diversity of industries, and more competitive jobs for DC residents

• Speaking at the DowntownDC Foundation’s Toast to Downtown DC celebrationto discuss our focus on creating more vibrant, mixed-use spaces that attract residents and visitors year-round

• Accepting the Advocacy Award by New Endeavors by Women (NEW) in recognition of Councilmember Pinto’s continuing partnership with the organization to uplift women and children experiencing homelessness in DC and help them transition to safe, stable housing

• Celebrating 275 years of the the Citizens Association of Georgetown (CAG) and honoring its dedication to uplifting this community

• Cheering on the Washington Spirit at Audi Field

• Joining the DC Week Without Driving campaign to encourage more residents to use public transportation and promote a healthier, greener community

• Joining a public safety walk in Logan Circle with ANC 2F and Logan Circle neighbors to discuss ongoing public safety challenges and solutions around the 12thand M Street NW area

• Celebrating the launch of the Washington Sun and honoring freedom of the press in DC

Announcements

FREE PET VACCINES

Brandywine Valley SPCA is offering free pet vaccine clinics in the District for dogs and cats.

Saturday, Oct. 10 from 9:00-11:00am

Anacostia Park

1900 Anacostia Drive SE

Washington, DC 20020  

Saturday, Oct. 24 from 9:00-11:00am

King Greenleaf Park

201 N. St SW,

Washington, DC 20024

SNOW SHOVELING

With fall underway, it’s time for preparations ahead of winter. The Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for enforcing the Winter Sidewalk Safety Act (WSSA), which requires District residents to remove snow and ice from the paved sidewalks, curb ramps, and curb cuts abutting their property after a snowstorm. Qualified residents who are disabled and/or 65 or older may receive an exemption from enforcement with an approved application.

The Sidewalk Shoveling Exemption Program (SSEP) exempts qualified residents from DPW enforcement for not removing snow and ice from their sidewalks within the first eight hours of daylight after a winter storm. Applications may be submitted year round. Once approved, the exemption is valid for two consecutive snow seasons, and residents must reapply every other year to maintain their exemption. Click here to apply.

People interested in volunteering to help shovel sidewalks for residents can sign up by clicking here.  

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