RSSInnocence Protection Amendment Act of 2012 and Re-entry Facilitation Amendment Act of 2012
Chairman Phil Mendelson announces the scheduling of a public hearing of the Committee on the Judiciary on Bill 19-880, Innocence Protection Amendment Act of 2012, and Bill 19-889, Re-entry Facilitation Amendment Act of 2012. The hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 in Hearing Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building.
The stated purpose of Bill 19-880 is to modify the definition of “biological material” in § 22-4131 of the Code to ensure potentially exonerating evidence can be tested for DNA. The Committee will also consider correcting the term “biological material.” The stated purpose of Bill 19-889 is to create limited liability for employers who hire or retain returning citizens if the employer has taken certain steps to make a good-faith determination that hiring or retaining a returning citizen is favorable; to amend Title 16 of the D.C. Official Code to include interpersonal violence as conviction eligible for record sealing; to make procedural changes associated with the sealing of a criminal record; to permit movants to obtain certifications from the court that their records have been properly sealed under Title 16; and to create a certificate of good standing, issued by the Department of Corrections, for qualifying returning citizens.
Those who wish to testify should register online or contact Ms. Christina Setlow, Legislative Counsel, at (202) 724-7808, by fax at (202) 724-6664, or via e-mail at csetlow@dccouncil.us, and provide their name, address, telephone number, organizational affiliation and title (if any) by close of business Friday, September 20, 2012. Persons wishing to testify are encouraged, but not required, to submit 15 copies of written testimony. If submitted by the close of business on Friday, September 20, 2012 the testimony will be distributed to Councilmembers before the hearing. Witnesses should limit their testimony to five minutes; less time will be allowed if there are a large number of witnesses.
If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted either to Ms. Setlow, or to Ms. Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council, Room 5 of the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20004. The record will close at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 9, 2012.