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Congress·Passed House·3 months ago

House Passes DC Cash Bail Reform Act, Requiring Mandatory Detention for Violent Crime Charges

Also known as: District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
✓ Review
✓ House

237–179

Senate
President

Impacts

Negative Impacts(3)
Criminal Record
Hurts
Housing Assistance
Hurts
Child Tax Credit
Hurts
Positive Impacts(2)
Small Business Owner
Helps
Gig Worker
Helps

State Impacts

District of ColumbiaDC
Mixed

This bill changes DC’s criminal release rules: mandatory pretrial detention for “crimes of violence” and “dangerous crimes,” mandatory detention after conviction for those crimes, and secured cash/property bail (or surety bond) for listed “public safety or order” offenses like fleeing police, rioting, destruction of property, stalking, and some burglary/robbery. It applies to offenses charged on or after 30 days after enactment.

Key Points

  • In Washington, D.C., judges would be required to hold people in jail before trial if they’re charged with a violent crime or a “dangerous crime.”
  • It also tightens who must be held after conviction for violent or dangerous crimes, making detention the default in more of these cases.
  • For certain “public safety or order” charges, release would require cash bail or other property pledged to the court (not just a promise to return).
  • The “public safety or order” list includes things like failing to appear in court, obstruction, fleeing police, rioting, property destruction, stalking, and some burglary/robbery charges.
  • These changes would start for people charged in D.C. beginning 30 days after the law is enacted.
Criminal Justice

Milestones

4 milestones18 actions
Nov 20, 2025Senate

Received in the Senate.

Nov 19, 2025House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Nov 19, 2025House

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 237 - 179 (Roll no. 298). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4796)

Nov 19, 2025

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 237 - 179 (Roll no. 298). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4796)

Nov 19, 2025House

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4805-4806)

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

In the weeks leading up to the effective date and immediately after

Judges and court staff update release and detention practices to match the new mandatory rules.

People may see fewer chances for release on personal promise for the covered offenses, and more cases where detention is automatic rather than argued case-by-case.

After the effective date, as cases begin to fall under the new rules

Bail bond/surety involvement increases for covered “public safety or order” charges.

More defendants may need a bond company or property/cash to get out, and sureties may more often use their power to take someone into custody if they think the person will miss court.

Vote Results

1 vote
HousePassedPassageNov 19, 2025

On Passage

237
179
Democrat
28 – 179 · 7
Republican
209 – 0 · 10
View full roll call

Related News

3 articles
Washingtonian·3 months ago

What Congress's New Crime Bills Would Mean for DC

The District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025 would bring back cash bail and require judges to automatically detain people before trial for a much broader set of offenses, replacing the District's long-standing system that relies on judicial discretion and supervised release.

CL~
DC News Now·3 months ago

DC advocates, leaders push back on House effort to reinstate cash bail system

Advocates and local leaders rallied against H.R. 5214, arguing that a return to cash bail—which D.C. hasn't used since 1992—would criminalize poverty. Republicans argue the current 'cashless' system is dangerous and allows repeat offenders to be released immediately after arrest.

C~
The GW Hatchet·4 months ago

Trump’s National Guard deployment, Congressional actions undermine DC autonomy: experts

The District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025 would reinstate cash bail for severe crimes and mandate pre-trial and post-conviction detention for those accused of violent crimes, part of a broader wave of legislation aimed at altering the Home Rule Act.

C~

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 5214
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReceived in the Senate.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(3)
R: 3

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.