District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025

Summary

District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025 This bill mandates, in the District of Columbia (DC), pretrial and post-conviction detention for crimes of violence and dangerous crimes and cash bail to obtain pretrial release for public safety or order crimes. Under current DC law, a court may generally order a defendant released before trial based on the judge’s assessment of the risks posed by the defendant's release. If the defendant is charged with a crime of violence or a dangerous crime, the court must determine conditions for release; if the defendant has a prior history of such crimes, is charged with a crime that involves deadly weapons, or is charged with a crime of violence, there is a rebuttable presumption that the defendant must be detained. The bill requires defendants charged with a crime of violence or a dangerous crime to be detained while awaiting trial. It also prohibits a court from releasing a defendant charged with a public safety or order crime without a secured appearance bond (i.e., money or property subject to forfeiture). Public safety or order crimes include fleeing from a law enforcement officer, rioting, and stalking. Current DC law also allows individuals who are convicted of an offense to be released pending sentencing or an appeal if the court finds the individual is unlikely to flee or pose a danger to others. The bill requires individuals who are convicted of a crime of violence or a dangerous crime to be detained in these circumstances.

Summary from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform · U.S. House of Representatives

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Cosponsors

Recorded votes

• Vote: On Passage

  U.S. HouseNov 19, 2025Result: Passed

  Voted yes (237)Voted no (179)Voted present (0)Absent (17)

  See member positions

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As identified by Congress.gov.

Full history

1. Nov 20, 2025

   Introduced

   Received in the Senate.

   U.S. House

2. Nov 20, 2025

   Sent to the executive

   Received in the Senate.

   U.S. Senate

3. Nov 19, 2025

   Considered as Unfinished business. (consideration: cr H4805-4806)

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

4. Nov 19, 2025

   Considered as Unfinished business. (consideration: cr H4805-4806)

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

5. Nov 19, 2025

   Considered as Unfinished business. (consideration: cr H4805-4806)

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

Read the record

• Read on Congress.gov (opens in a new tab) The official record on Congress.gov.