District of ColumbiaD.C. emergency law barred amplified nighttime demonstrations targeting homes
For no more than 90 days after its October 3, 2025 approval, D.C. restricted amplified demonstrations targeting homes in residential zones and objects thrown to scare people there.
What it does
In D.C. residential zones, people could not use amplified sound to target a home for a demonstration from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. They also could not leave a sounding device unattended to target that home at any hour.
People could not knowingly throw or launch objects onto someone else's residential property to frighten or harass anyone living or working there. A conviction could bring a fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both.
D.C. Council appointments to the Corrections Information Council ended on December 7 of the year their terms expired, despite any other law.
Argument forWhile the law was in force, its sound limits could have helped residents avoid loud demonstrations aimed at their homes overnight.
Argument againstWhile the law was in force, its sound limits could have made it harder for demonstrators to be heard outside targeted homes.
More detail
People could not use amplified sound to target a home for a demonstration from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. or leave a sounding device unattended to target it. The targeted home had to be in a D.C. residential, residential flat, or residential apartment zone. Car audio heard only by people inside the car did not count as an amplifying device. People could not continue or restart a violation after an officer told them to stop. The Mayor or police could take an unattended device used in violation. The emergency law took effect after the Mayor approved it on October 3, 2025, and could last no longer than 90 days.
People could not knowingly throw or launch an object onto someone else's residential property to scare, intimidate, or harass someone there. The rule covered another person's residential property and people living or working at that residence. The person had to intend to frighten, intimidate, or harass someone living or working at the home. A conviction could bring a fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both. This rule took effect after the Mayor approved the emergency law on October 3, 2025, and could last no longer than 90 days.
A D.C. Council appointment to the Corrections Information Council ended on December 7 of its expiration year. This applied to D.C. Council appointments to the Corrections Information Council. The December 7 date applied despite any other law. This provision took effect after the Mayor approved the emergency law on October 3, 2025, and could last no longer than 90 days.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Oct 10Act A26-0153 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 010901, Expires on Jan 01, 2026Latest
- Oct 6Returned from Mayor
- Oct 3Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0153, Expires on Jan 01, 2026Became Law
- Sep 24Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Oct 08, 2025To Governor
- Sep 17Final Reading, CCMinor
- Vote recorded Final Reading, CC. Result: pass.Legislature
- Sep 17Retained by the Council
- Sep 16B26-0347 Introduced by Councilmember Pinto at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
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