August 22, 2025
Mr. Biggs of Arizona (for himself, Mr. Higgins of Louisiana, Mr. Nehls, and Mr. Harris of Maryland) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
To prohibit in the District of Columbia an individual charged with an offense from being released pending trial without executing an secured appearance bond.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Keep Offenders Off Our Streets Act.
.
Sec. 2. Prohibition in district of columbia on release of individual charged with offense pending trial without executing a secured appearance bond
(a) In general
The Council of the District of Columbia may not enact, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia may not enforce, any act, resolution, regulation, or other requirement which permits an individual charged with an offense in the District of Columbia who appears before a judicial officer, as defined in section 23–1331(1), District of Columbia Official Code, to be released, pending trial, without such person executing a bail bond with solvent sureties in whatever amount is reasonably necessary to assure the appearance of the individual as required.
(b) Conforming amendments
(1) Repeal of release on personal recognizance
Section 23–1321 District of Columbia 11 Official Code, is amended—
(A)
in subsection (a)—
(i)
by striking subsection (1); and
(ii)
redesignating subsections (2), (3), and (4) as subsections (1), (2), and (3), respectively;
(B)
by striking subsection (b);
(C)
by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) as subsections (b), (c), and (d), respectively; and
(D)
in subsection (b), as so redesignated—
(i)
in subsection (1), by striking everything before the judicial officer
;
(ii)
in subsection (A), by striking and
after the semicolon;
(iii)
redesignating subsection (B) as subsection (C);
(iv)
after subsection (A), insert the following:
(B)
Execution of a bail bond with solvent sureties in whatever amount is reasonably necessary to assure the appearance of the person as required; and; and
(v)
in subsection (C), as so redesignated, strike subsection (xii), and redesignate subsection (xiv) as subsection (xiii).
(2) Inclusion of prohibition in home rule act
Section 602(a) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act (sec. 1–206.02(a), D.C. Official Code) is amended—
(A)
in paragraph (9), by striking office; or
and inserting a office;
;
(B)
in paragraph (10), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or
; and
(C)
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(11)
enact any act, resolution, regulation or other requirement which permits a person charged with an offense in the District of Columbia to be released, pending trial, without such person executing an bail bond with solvent sureties in whatever amount is reasonably necessary to assure the appearance of the person as required.
(c) Applicability
This Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall apply with respect to an individual charged with an offense in the District of Columbia who appears before a judicial officer, as defined in section 23– 1331(1), District of Columbia Official Code, before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(d) Severability
If, for any reason, any provision of this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Act.