Press Release: Three Bills Introduced Before Summer Recess

News Release — Ward 3 DC Council member Mary Cheh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 14, 2022

Communications Director: Abigail McLean

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, July 14^th, Councilmember Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3) introduced three key pieces of legislation on solitary confinement, solar energy, and booting and impoundment.

The Eliminating Restrictive and Segregated Enclosures (“ERASE”) Solitary Confinement Act of 2022 would prohibit all forms of segregated confinement in jails and youth detention facilities. It would strictly limit the use of safe cells and require that incarcerated people with mental health emergencies receive the care to which they are entitled. It would also require the Department of Corrections and the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services to create a plan to eliminate segregated confinement and report to the Council the impacts of doing so. The legislation was co-introduced by Councilmembers Nadeau, Lewis George, McDuffie, Silverman, and R. White.

“Studies have shown that solitary confinement has many negative effects, including increased risk of addiction, recidivism, and suicide,” Councilmember Cheh said. “I am proud to continue my previous work on this issue by moving the District forward and severely limiting the instances in which solitary confinement can be used.”

The Local Solar Expansion Amendment Act of 2022 would amend the District’s renewable portfolio standards to raise the local solar carveout from 10% to 15% by 2041. It would also eliminate a phaseout of the alternative compliance payment. These two changes will ensure that the Council’s policies continue to incentivize local solar development; without them, many residents might instead be discouraged from installing solar panels. The legislation was co-introduced by Councilmembers Nadeau, Pinto, Lewis George, Allen, Gray, Bonds, and Henderson.

“During my time in office, the Council has made it a priority to encourage the development of local clean energy resources,” Councilmember Cheh said. “We also recently passed my legislation accelerating the District’s targets for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. This bill will complement that legislation by ensuring that local solar continues to grow. This will help us meet our emissions-reduction targets while also making the District’s energy system more resilient.”

The Booting and Impoundment Reform Act of 2022 would provide the Department of Public Works (DPW) with authority to enter private commercial garages and parking lots for purposes of booting boot-eligible vehicles. It would also require DPW to implement a real-time boot crew alert system; to, at times, deviate from pre-determined routes in order to boot or impound eligible vehicles; and to publish an annual report on the agency’s booting and impoundment efforts.

“This bill would increase traffic law enforcement by filling a gap that allows scofflaw vehicles to avoid enforcement by parking in private lots,” Councilmember Cheh said. “With this increased enforcement, the law should help compel drivers to halt dangerous driving behaviors that put the lives of other users of the roadway at risk. This, in turn, will help the District achieve its Vision Zero goal of bringing an end to traffic fatalities by 2024.”

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