To repeal the Second Chance Amendment Act of 2022 and the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act of 2016.

Last action on Oct 14, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 293.

Summary

H.R. 5242 would repeal two Washington, D.C. criminal justice laws. The Second Chance Amendment Act of 2022 expanded opportunities for residents to seal or expunge criminal records, including automatic sealing for certain misdemeanors and non-convictions. The Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act of 2016 allowed individuals convicted of serious crimes committed before age 18 to petition courts for sentence reductions after serving at least 15 years in prison. If enacted, this bill would eliminate both programs and restore D.C. law to its previous state. The bill has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote in the House. Supporters argue the laws are too lenient on crime, while opponents contend they provide important rehabilitation opportunities and help formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society through employment and housing access.

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Lifecycle of the Bill

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Sep 10, 2025

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 20.

Sep 10, 2025

HearingHouseMarkup

Sep 10, 2025 · 14:00

the Full Committee to consider the following: 1) H.R. 5183, the District of Columbia Home Rule Improvement Act; 2) H.R. 2693, the District of Columbia Electronic Transmittal of Legislation Act; 3) H.R. 5103, the Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act; 4) H.R. 5214, the District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act; 5) H.R. 5172, the Strong Sentences for Safer D.C. Streets Act; 6) H.R. 5242, to repeal D.C.’s Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act of 2016 and the Second Chance Amendment Act of 2022; 7) H.R. 5163, the Clean and Managed Public Spaces Act; 8) H.R. 4922, the DC Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safer (DC CRIMES) Act; 9) H.R. 5140, the District of Columbia Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act; 10) H.R. 5181, the SOAR Act Improvements Act; 11) H.R. 5107, Common-Sense Law Enforcement and Accountability Now in DC (CLEAN DC) Act; 12) H.R. 5143, the District of Columbia Policing Protection Act; 13) H.R. 5125, the District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act; 14) H.R. 5179, the District of Columbia Attorney General Appointment Reform Act.

Committee

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

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Summary

On September 10, 2025, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a markup session to consider 14 bills addressing District of Columbia policy. The bills covered criminal justice, law enforcement, and governance issues, including measures to increase mandatory minimum sentences, reform bail procedures, restrict police pursuits, repeal criminal justice reforms, and modify judicial and attorney general appointment processes. This was a markup session where the committee voted on bills rather than a hearing with witness testimony. The bills advanced through the committee with varying vote margins. Several bills passed with 26-19 votes, including the Strong Sentences for Safer D.C. Streets Act, the District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act, and the DC Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safer Act. The District of Columbia Electronic Transmittal of Legislation Act passed unanimously 40-0. The bills reflected Republican priorities to strengthen law enforcement and increase criminal penalties in the District. The markup did not guarantee passage of the bills; they still required floor votes and Senate consideration to become law.

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Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 119-341.

Oct 14, 2025

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 119-341.

Oct 14, 2025

To repeal the Second Chance Amendment Act of 2022 and the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act of 2016.

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House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

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To repeal the Second Chance Amendment Act of 2022 and the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act of 2016.

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House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

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