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Congress·Passed House·H.R. 5214

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

House

237179

Senate
President
Law

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

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

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.

Milestones

4 milestones18 actions
Nov 20, 2025Senate

Received in the Senate.

The Senate has received the House-passed bill and will decide whether to take it up.

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)

The House of Representatives voted to approve this bill. It now goes to the Senate.

Nov 19, 2025House

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

Vote Results

1 vote
HousePassedPassageNov 19, 2025

On Passage

237
179
Democrat
28179 · 7
Republican
2090 · 10
View full roll call

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. Always verify with official sources.