Washington, DC – Today, Councilmember Brooke Pinto announced the introduction of four new bills and the fall 2024 schedule for the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety to engage in rigorous oversight and advance critical legislation before the end of the council period in December.
“New legislation along with rigorous oversight will propel the improvements in public safety residents are asking for and deserve,” said Councilmember Pinto. “As Chairwoman of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, my focus this fall is on ensuring improved public safety for all District residents, operational and staffing improvements at our 911 call-center, reviewing and evaluating our violence interruption programs, advancing gun control legislation, and protecting women and children. The schedule for the Committee reflects these important priorities.”
The four new bills Councilmember Pinto is introducing this fall include Transparency in Emergency Response Amendment Act of 2024, Childcare for First Responders Act of 2024, Child Marriage Prohibition Amendment Act of 2024, and Voluntary Firearm Non-Transfer Act of 2024 also known as “Donna’s Law.”
“As we continue to drive improvements in performance at our 911 call center, recruitment and retention of our call-takers is critical. Providing childcare for 911 call-takers as well our police and firefighters is one way we can provide an important and attractive benefit that also supports families and recognizes the great importance of our first responders in our community,” said Councilmember Pinto on the introduction of the Childcare for First Responders Act of 2024.
Councilmember Pinto will also hold hearings on the four bills she is introducing as well as the following bills: Establishment of Reasonable Controls for the Firearm Industry Amendment Act, Safe and Supported Pregnancy and Delivery for Incarcerated Individuals Amendment Act of 2024, and Secure Apartments for Everyone (SAFE) Regulation Amendment Act, among others.
In an effort to bring the District in line with other jurisdictions, the Committee will also be advancing a number of bills to uniform the law on issues including powers of appointment, trust decanting, civil remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, commercial real estate receivership, and community property disposition at death.
Councilmember Pinto will also hold a series of public oversight hearings on the Office of Unified Communications (OUC) which runs the District’s 911 Call Center and the Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONSE) which runs violence interruption programs.
“Oversight of our agencies ensures that legislation passed by the Council is being implemented with fidelity and that our agencies are performing at the highest level. Oversight is especially critical for our agencies that are charged with saving lives and preventing violence, like OUC and ONSE.” said Councilmember Brooke Pinto.
The oversight hearings of OUC will include a review of recent operational failures and accidents, performance and transparency metrics, and technology and multi-agency coordination. Oversight hearings on ONSE will review performance and outcomes, guardrails to safeguard integrity in grants being issued, and needed improvements and changes.
