District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025
House Passes DC Cash Bail Reform Act, Requiring Mandatory Detention for Violent Crime Charges
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
237–179
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.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
State Impacts
Milestones
Received in the Senate.
The Senate has received the House-passed bill and will decide whether to take it up.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 237 - 179 (Roll no. 298). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4796)
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)
The House of Representatives voted to approve this bill. It now goes to the Senate.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4805-4806)
Vote Results
1 voteOn Passage
Related News
3 articles
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.
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.

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.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(3)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.