All Roll Calls
Yes: 237 • No: 179
119-hr-5214119th Congress
District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
Passed House
Summary
Mandates detention and secured cash bail for serious and public-order crimes in D.C. This bill would require pretrial and post-conviction detention for people charged with defined "crimes of violence" or "dangerous crimes" and create a secured-bond regime for offenses that threaten public safety or order.
Show full summary
- People charged and their families: Individuals charged with a crime of violence or a dangerous crime would face mandatory pretrial detention and mandatory post-conviction detention, reducing chances of release and early reunification.
- People charged with public-safety or order offenses: Release would generally require a secured appearance bond such as cash, property posted with the court, or a bail bond with solvent sureties, and sureties may arrest or prompt revocation of release.
- Courts and charging outcomes: The bill expands the definitions of covered offenses to add first-degree burglary and robbery and weapon-enhanced versions, shifts release presumptions toward detention, and applies to charges filed 30 days after enactment.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Stricter D.C. bail and release rules
If enacted, judges in D.C. would have to detain anyone charged with a crime of violence or a dangerous crime. People charged with a “public safety or order crime” could be released only after posting a secured appearance bond and meeting any other court rules. The bill defines those crimes: failure to appear, obstruction, fleeing police, rioting or inciting a riot, property damage, stalking, and burglary or robbery that is not first‑degree or weapon‑related. It also adds first‑degree burglary or robbery, and weapon versions, to the lists of violent or dangerous crimes. A secured bond could be cash or property posted with proof of ownership, or a bail bond with solvent sureties. A surety could arrest the person and take them to a U.S. marshal, and a judge would decide whether to revoke release.
Post-conviction detention for D.C. violent crimes
If enacted, D.C. courts could keep people in custody after conviction for any listed crime of violence or dangerous crime. This would allow continued detention in those cases while the case moves toward sentencing or appeal, as applicable. The change would apply to convictions 30 days after enactment.
When the new D.C. rules start
If enacted, these rules would apply only to people charged in D.C. on or after 30 days after enactment. People charged before that date would follow the prior rules.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
NY • R
Cosponsors
Rep. James, John [R-MI-10]
MI • R
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14]
NC • R
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]
TX • R
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 11/19/2025
On Passage
Yes: 237 • No: 179