H.R. 5214Passed one chamberCrime & justice
DC bill would mandate jail before trial for violent crime suspects
Data as of July 11, 2026
The bill mandates pretrial and post-conviction jail for violent crimes in D.C. and requires cash bail for lesser "public safety" offenses.40-second read · 4 questions answered below
Decoded
What does this do?
This bill requires D.C. judges to automatically detain anyone charged or convicted of a "crime of violence" or "dangerous crime," with no release option. It narrows the definitions of burglary and robbery to only the more serious versions, and creates a new "public safety or order crimes" category requiring cash bail or secured bonds instead of no-cost release.
Who does it affect?
Affects defendants, judges, prosecutors, bail bond companies, and D.C. residents, since Congress can directly set criminal justice rules for D.C.
Why does it matter?
The bill would shift D.C. away from current no-cash-bail practices toward mandatory detention and required cash bail for certain offenses, taking effect 30 days after becoming law for future charges.
Where does it stand?
- Introduced
- House committee
- House vote
- Senate — You are here
- President's desk
Right now: it passed the House and now goes to the Senate. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the President.
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Official title
District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025
- Introduced:
- September 8, 2025
- Latest action:
- November 20, 2025
Received in the Senate.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Three steps: where you stand, your script, the call.