Ahead of Latina Equal Pay Day, Grosso re-introduces bill to address the gender and racial pay gap in D.C.

For Immediate Release:
October 29, 2020
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Ahead of Latina Equal Pay Day, Grosso re-introduces bill to address the gender and racial pay gap in D.C.

Washington, D.C. – In advance of Latina Equal Pay Day, Councilmember David Grosso re-introduced legislation yesterday to address the persistent pay inequities that women, especially women of color, experience in the District of Columbia.

“Leaving a job that is unfairly compensating you is no guarantee that your pay will be much better when employers make job offers based on previous, deflated wages. We can break that cycle,” Grosso said.

The Fair Wage Amendment Act of 2020 would prohibit employers in the city from requesting information about a prospective employee’s salary and benefit history before an employer makes a job and compensation offer. This would help to end a practice that perpetuates the wage gap.

The introduction comes as advocates recognize today, October 29, as Latina Equal Pay Day. The day signifies the day in the new year when the pay of Latina workers amounts to that of white, non-Hispanic men from the previous year. Latinas typically earn only 55 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men and must work nearly 23 months to earn what white men earn in 12 months.

“Closing the wage gap is not just a gender equity issue,” Grosso said. “The disparities that Black, Latina, and other women see in their paychecks compared to their white peers makes this a racial justice issue.”

According to the National Women’s Law Center, women in the U.S. who work full-time, year-round are typically paid only 82 cents for every dollar paid to their male counterparts. As a result, women earn $10,157 less per year, leaving them and their families shortchanged. The pay gap is even wider for women of color who earn even less and must work far into the following year to make the amount that their white, non-Hispanic male counterparts earn.

Black, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women typically make only 63 cents for every dollar paid to their white, non-Hispanic male counterparts, whereas for Native American women it is 60 cents. As of now, the wage gap translates into an annual loss of approximately $24,110 for Black women, $29,098 for Latinas, and $24,656 for Native American women.

“Equal pay for equal work is a simple concept. Yet, even in D.C., the wage gap that women experience persists.”

Councilmember Grosso first introduced this legislation in 2016.

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Washington Football Team’s name retirement is a win for activists

For Immediate Release
July 13, 2020

Contact
Matthew Nocella, mnocella@dccouncil.us, 202.286.1987

Washington Football Team’s name retirement is a win for activists

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso released the following statement regarding the announcement by the Washington Football Team that they would end the use of its name, a dictionary-defined racial slur, and racist logo:

“I am overjoyed at the Washington Football Team’s commitment to end their use of a racial slur for the team’s name and racist imagery for its logo and mascot. No longer will Native Americans be dishonored and disrespected every Sunday, every time a news outlet reports on that name, or every time a fan dons their apparel.

“A lot of praise will be lavished on the corporate sponsors who finally began to speak up and threaten Dan Snyder’s bottom line. But, there are so many Native individuals and groups and their allies who have been fighting for this change for decades and whose hard work and dedication deserve recognition. Suzan Harjo, Amanda Blackhorse, Crystal Echo Hawk, David Glass, Ray Halbritter, the National Congress of American Indians, Kevin Gover at the National Museum of the American Indian, Rebrand Washington Football and anyone who stood up and spoke out against this nearly 90 year injustice. They made a demand and those in power have finally conceded. This is their moment.

“Over the years I have had the honor of meeting with them, protesting with them, delivering petitions with them, and doing what I could to put the pressure on the team from the Council of the District of Columbia. I thank them all for allowing me to be a part of this movement and for never taking ‘NEVER’ as an answer.”

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Chief Newsham has to go

For Immediate Release:
July 9, 2020
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, mnocella@dccouncil.us, 202.286.1987

Chief Newsham has to go

Statement of At-Large Councilmember David Grosso

Washington, D.C. – The following is a statement from Councilmember David Grosso regarding the letter he sent to Mayor Muriel Bowser formally requesting her to relieve Metropolitan Police Chief Peter Newsham of his position:

“Police impunity has persisted for too long, including right here in the District of Columbia. Earlier this week, the Council took what I hope is only a first step into reforming, reimagining, and ultimately dismantling the police department as we know it today. The Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Second Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 is an effort to hold individual police officers more accountable for their misconduct than we have in the past. However, D.C. has needed a culture shift at the Metropolitan Police Department for years now, one that requires us to demand more accountability of the police leadership that enables this misconduct. In order for D.C. to move forward on this reform, Chief Newsham needs to go.

“Chief Newsham has regularly engaged in an adversarial, rather than collaborative, relationship with the Council, even on piecemeal reforms. If we were to judge the bill and annual budget the Council passed based on the reaction of the Chief of Police, as well as the mayor, you would think we were firing half the officers in the city. The Chief has insulted the Council, Councilmember Allen in particular, and implied that this bill will increase crime and police brutality. A less generous reading of his comments may view them as threats.

“The recent demonstrations on our streets are a direct response to policing not only in the United States, but specifically about how MPD is managed and conducts itself in the District of Columbia. As I wrote to the Mayor, Chief Newsham pushes an outdated tough on crime approach to policing that results in violence and harassment of untold numbers of people, mostly Black, across our city. Meanwhile, crime keeps increasing. He has been responsible for thousands of illegal arrests and has cost our city millions in settlements. He has shown his contempt for protestors from Pershing Park to the 2017 Inauguration to Black Lives Matter Plaza, where he continues to direct police to attack demonstrators, using tear gas and violence in direct contradiction of the law we passed just weeks ago.

“While I noted many of these problems when the Chief was first appointed, and I voted against him, I hoped I would be proven wrong. All of the evidence, including this week’s credible revelation that he has misrepresented MPD’s involvement in the June 1 police attack on protestors, shows that, unfortunately, I was not. With whatever shred of confidence I had left for him now squandered, the time has come for new leadership at MPD.”

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You can read the letter to the Mayor here and below:

Letter to Mayor Bowser Re MPD Chief by Team_Grosso on Scribd

Paid family leave benefits start July 1 in D.C.

For Immediate Release:
June 26, 2020
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, mnocella@dccouncil.us, 202.286.1987

Paid family leave benefits start July 1 in D.C.

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso released the following statement regarding the Chief Financial Officer’s certification of sufficient funds to begin the payout of benefits on July 1, 2020 under the Universal Paid Leave Amendment Act, which Councilmember Grosso introduced along with Councilmember Elissa Silverman:

“This is monumental. Today’s certification by the CFO finally makes universal paid family leave a reality in the District of Columbia and creates an economy that works for both residents and businesses alike. No longer will working families in D.C. be forced to make the difficult choice between earning a paycheck or caring for a new family member or ailing loved one. Businesses across the District now have a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining highly qualified employees with a progressive benefit that they can offer to every employee  at a fraction of the cost of providing it themselves.

“I want to thank Councilmember Elissa Silverman for her partnership in introducing this bill and her tenacious oversight of its implementation. I also greatly appreciate the hard work of Department of Employment Services Director Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes and the advocacy efforts of the D.C. Paid Leave Coalition, the National Partnership for Women and Families, Family Values @ Work, and others in articulating the need for paid family leave in the District of Columbia.  We would not be where we are today without all of their incredible work.”

Under the program employees who have a child through birth, adoption, foster care or other legal placement will be eligible for up to eight weeks of paid leave.  It also provides up to six weeks of paid leave to D.C. workers to care for a family member experiencing a serious health condition, and up to two weeks for a personal serious health condition. Workers will be able to receive up to 90 percent of their wages in those periods, capped at $1,000 per week.

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Grosso proposes budget that maintains D.C.’s growing investments in education

For Immediate Release:
June 24, 2020
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, mnocella@dccouncil.us, 202.286.1987

Grosso proposes budget that maintains D.C.’s growing investments in education

Washington, D.C. – Today, Councilmember David Grosso, chairperson of the Committee on Education, circulated the committee’s draft fiscal year 2021 budget report that maintains increased funding for the District of Columbia’s students, fosters positive and supportive learning environments, and provides the public with greater transparency in the use of public dollars in the education sector.

The proposed 3 percent increase in per student funding is maintained in Grosso’s report, marking the fourth straight budget cycle of growing education investments.

“The ongoing public health emergency has hit the District’s economy hard and our students harder,” said Grosso. “As D.C. begins to recover, we have an obligation to students, especially Black and Latinx students and those who are economically disadvantaged, to continue the trend of increasing investments in the academic growth and emotional well-being of our students.”

In the report, Grosso recommends ending the Metropolitan Police Department’s management of the  security services contract for D.C. Public Schools in favor of DCPS managing it directly. 

“In the wake of police killings of unarmed Black Americans, the District of Columbia, along with the rest of the nation, is re-examining the role of police in all aspects of our lives, including in our children’s schools. The safety of our students is a priority but our current staffing of schools indicates that we are more interested in policing our students than we are in ensuring their academic success or supporting their mental and behavioral health,” said Grosso. “After discussions with many school leaders and students, I believe our students’ safety can better be provided for by DCPS–whose primary mission is the academic success and social-emotional development of our young people–without MPD’s involvement.”

The Committee is also set to recommend enactment and full funding of his School Expenditure Transparency Amendment Act, which would provide the public a clearer understanding of how both traditional public and public charter schools expend public dollars, as well as require greater transparency from charter schools by making them subject to the Open Meetings Act.

 “Over the past several years, there has been significant confusion around funding for both DCPS and charter schools,” Grosso said. “This has raised many questions from the public and elected officials about annual school funding cuts and increased calls for more transparency from both sectors. Enacting these provisions through the budget will provide the public and policymakers a more transparent way to digest and engage with how the District of Columbia funds schools.”

Other investment highlights from the Committee report include:

• Supports the social, emotional, and positive behavioral health of our students: The committee is making additional investments in grants from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education to support positive school climate and trauma-informed emotional services.

• Ensures more students are reading at grade level by third grade: The committee invested an additional $900,000 at OSSE for the successful early literacy intervention grant programs, continuing Grosso’s steadfast support for the program.

• $1.4 million in early childhood development subsidies.

• Improving D.C. libraries: As D.C. Public Library prepares to celebrate the opening of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Central Library, the committee is investing $1 million for general improvements  across the D.C. Public Library system as well as moving up the planning for the Chevy Chase Library modernization. The committee also preserved the funding that Grosso requested for the Parklands-Turner standalone branch library which was included in the mayor’s proposal. 

The Committee on Education received virtual, written, and voicemail testimony from over 330 individuals despite the ongoing public health emergency and modified Council budget process. 

“I want to thank everyone who provided testimony to the Committee on Education. The input you provided on school-based mental health, school safety, and more have been invaluable. Your involvement holds us accountable and drives the Committee to make equitable decisions for our students and schools.

“I also want to thank students, caregivers, educators, and administrators for their dedication to distance learning during the pandemic. These are unprecedented and uncertain times but I know that everyone is continuing to work together to set our students up for success.”

The Committee on Education will consider the budget report tomorrow, Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 2:30 pm via virtual meeting platform.

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Statement of Councilmember Grosso on indictment of former Virginia clergyman

For Immediate Release:
March 16, 2020
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.286.1987 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Statement of Councilmember Grosso on indictment of former Virginia clergyman

Washington, D.C. – The following is a statement from Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large) regarding the Virginia Attorney General's announcement of an indictment against a former clergyman for carnal knowledge of a minor: 

“Last week, the Commonwealth of Virginia indicted and detained Mr. Scott Asalone for criminal sexual abuse of a minor that occurred in the 1980s while he was a Catholic priest assigned to Saint Francis de Sales Church in Purcellville, VA. The minor he assaulted was me.

“This occurred during a very difficult time of my life. Since then, I have been working through the negative impact of this abuse on my life.  With the loving support of my wife Serra and my family, I am proud of the progress I have made.

“Though the deep scars remain, I largely believed this incident was behind me, especially after I underwent intensive therapy in the 1990s. However, state authorities in Virginia recently obtained the Catholic Diocese of Arlington’s internal file on my case. Consequently, law enforcement contacted me regarding the case several times over the past year. 

“This new investigation into a crime the Diocese attempted to bury for decades has ripped open old wounds, stirred dark memories and caused fresh trauma as I have been forced vividly to relive the tragic events of my childhood.  I have again received therapy and made difficult decisions to advance my recovery. My conclusion not to seek another term as a Councilmember was heavily influenced by this new case. State authorities asked me to provide testimony to the grand jury in Fairfax, and I did so, only to prevent Mr. Asalone from ever hurting another child.

“Evidence I presented, including my testimony, resulted in the issuance of a criminal indictment on one count of carnal knowledge of a minor, a class IV felony. I understand that Mr. Asalone was taken into custody on Saturday in New Jersey and is in the process of being extradited to Virginia.

“I am making this statement because I understand the tremendous burden that victims of sexual assault and abuse carry throughout their lives. As I did many years ago, we all must find the courage to come forward, tell our stories, and seek justice and accountability from the perpetrator, as well as the churches and other institutions that have hidden or excused their behavior.

“I greatly appreciate the work of Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, law enforcement officers, and prosecutors. I believe the system can and will work to bring justice in mine and many other cases.  As a legislator, I’ve had the additional responsibility of ensuring that victims have every available option open to them to pursue justice, including ending the statute of limitations for sexual abuse in the District of Columbia. 

“Most importantly, victims of sexual assault and abuse should know that there are resources in the District of Columbia to help you.  I encourage you to contact the DC Victim Hotline at 1.844.4HELPDC (1.844.443.5732) or online at www.DCvictim.org/chat. For more information and resources on the two-year window to file previously expired civil sexual abuse cases in DC, visit: http://bit.ly/2yearwindow.”

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Councilmember Grosso introduces bill to strengthen protections for student loan borrowers

For Immediate Release:
March 3, 2020
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Grosso introduces bill to strengthen protections for student loan borrowers

Washington, D.C. – Today, Councilmember David Grosso introduced legislation to protect student loan borrowers from abusive practices by lenders and improve the work of the District’s Student Loan Ombudsperson, which Grosso created through legislation in 2017.

 “A college education is an important requirement for entry into many jobs and professions, and student loans make college accessible to students from all income levels–but at a cost,” said Grosso. “On average, repayment rates often negatively affect first-generation college students, along with Black and Latinx students who are more likely to fall behind on loan payments and are less likely to pay off their student loans over time. D.C. needs to act to ensure our residents who carry student loan debt are protected.”

Student loan debt has reached crisis level in the United States, with $1.5 trillion worth of debt already accrued nationally. In the District, the average student loan balance is approximately $56,000 while the national rate for the average student borrower is approximately $37,000 of student debt. Due to the gradual increase of school tuition rates, the rise of student loan borrowers is also set to increase, leaving vulnerable populations susceptible to these lenders.

The Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights Amendment Act of 2020 establishes a Student Loan Bill of Rights that provides borrowers with affirmative protections when submitting written inquiries to their servicers, when splitting single payments across multiple loans, and when their loans are sold or transferred to another servicer. It also prohibits unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices by student loan lenders.

“Because the District of Columbia already prohibits debt collectors, auto lenders, and other loan-based companies from misleading or causing harm to borrowers, this bill would hold student loans lenders accountable to the same standards,” said Grosso.

Grosso also hopes to improve the effectiveness of the District’s Student Loan Ombudsperson by moving it from the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking to the Office of the Attorney General.

 “The Attorney General’s office has been providing many of the same functions of the student loan ombudsperson, including handling complaints, creating and distributing student loan repayment resources, and engaging in community outreach. Moving the student loan ombudsperson to the AG’s office would streamline the complaint referral process when enforcement action is needed while also capitalizing on the existing subject matter expertise of the staff,” said Grosso.

 Attorney General Karl A. Racine agrees.

 “Nearly a quarter of District residents are under the strain of student loan debt, with a median balance that is 44 percent higher than the national average,” said Attorney General Racine. “Former students struggling to pay off their debt are acutely vulnerable to predatory student loan servicers that make it harder to access debt repayment options—and drive too many residents, especially those in communities East of the River, into delinquency. The Office of the Attorney General strongly supports Councilmember Grosso’s proposal to strengthen protections for student borrowers, and we take this opportunity to remind debt collectors and servicers that our lawyers are ready to defend residents against unlawful practices.”

 The Student Borrower Protection Center, nonprofit organization focused on alleviating the burden of student debt for millions of Americans, also endorsed the legislation.

"The District of Columbia is ground zero in the student loan crisis. From breakdowns that deny teachers and public service workers their right to relief, to the enormous disparities devastating borrowers of color, predatory student loan companies are wreaking havoc on the financial lives of some of the most vulnerable residents,” said Seth Frotman, the organization’s Executive Director and former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Student Loan Ombudsman. “As the Trump Administration chooses to stand with unscrupulous student loan companies, it is more important than ever that the District pass critical new protections for its residents.”

“I would like to thank the Student Borrower Protection Center for their continued advocacy and partnership with my office on this and many other initiatives to protect D.C.’s student loan borrowers, Attorney General Karl Racine for his support and his office’s consumer protection work, and Councilmembers Anita Bonds, Elissa Silverman, Robert White, Brianne Nadeau, and Mary for joining me as co-introducers of this legislation,” said Grosso.

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Councilmember Grosso aims to prevent future ethics scandals with bill to close BEGA loopholes

For Immediate Release:
February 4, 2020
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Grosso aims to prevent future ethics scandals with bill to close BEGA loopholes

Washington, D.C. – Today, Councilmember David Grosso introduced legislation that will strengthen laws requiring a high level of ethical conduct from elected officials and government employees and ensure greater compliance with the District’s ethics laws.

“The Council’s experience over the last several months was not one I would wish on any legislative body. A member exploited his position and relationships for his own personal gain and would’ve nearly gotten away with it had it not been for persistent media reports and mounting public pressure for action,” said Grosso. “It is now time to take some of the lessons learned from that painful process to tighten up our ethics laws where appropriate and mitigate the risk of corrupt activity by members in the future.”

Based on the O’Melveny and Meyers Report and the work of the Ad Hoc Committee in the matter of then-Councilmember Jack Evans, the BEGA Loophole Closure Amendment Act of 2020 seeks to clarify ambiguities and close gaps in the Government Ethics Act of 2011.

It requires the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability to conduct its mandatory training on the Code of Conduct every year and to analyze public officials’ financial disclosures for accuracy and completeness, and to provide feedback. The bill also clarifies that clients of an employee’s affiliated organization be listed in financial disclosure forms.

The bill also expands on current law prohibiting an employee from using their official position or title in a manner that could benefit their personal financial interests, or the financial interests of a person closely affiliated with the employee. Under the bill, that definition would include an employee’s family member, and an employee’s affiliated organization–which is an organization in which the employee serves as an officer, director, or employee, an organization in which the employee has a financial interest, or a prospective employer.

Finally, the BEGA Loophole Closure Amendment Act expands the public official employment prohibition on lobbying to encompass advising or consulting for an entity with business before the District government, or for an advisor or consultant for such entities.

“My hope is that this is just the beginning of the conversation about how to move on in the wake of the recent scandal this body has endured,” said Grosso. “Working together, I’m sure the Council can identify other areas of our ethics laws that we can include in this bill throughout the legislative process.”

Councilmembers Anita Bonds, Elissa Silverman, Charles Allen, and Mary Cheh joined Grosso as co-introducers of the bill.

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Councilmember Grosso introduces legislation to codify net neutrality protections in the District

For Immediate Release:
February 4, 2020
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Grosso introduces legislation to codify net neutrality protections in the District

Washington, D.C. – Today, Councilmember David Grosso introduced the Consumer Net Neutrality Protection Act of 2020 which would codify net neutrality protections in the District of Columbia and prohibit internet service providers from engaging in discriminatory practices such as blocking content and impairing consumer internet usage.

“A free and open Internet is critical to our society. Consumers rely on broadband connectivity to drive growth, personal and community development, but also to facilitate public debate and government accountability,” said Grosso. “Net neutrality is also crucial for small business owners, startups and entrepreneurs, who rely on the open internet to launch their enterprises, create markets, advertise their products and services, and reach consumers.”

In 2015, the Federal Communications Committee under Obama appointees established net neutrality protections for telecommunications services. Those protections were later repealed in 2017 under the Trump-appointed FCC Chairman.

With the repeal of these net neutrality protections, internet service providers are permitted to block or slow down Internet access, demand pay-to play from websites or applications, or otherwise interfere with end users’ access to the Internet.

Since then, federal courts have upheld the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality, but left it up to states to write their own regulations.

Under Grosso’s bill, internet service providers will be prohibited from discriminating against information and lawful internet traffic by blocking, slowing down, or engaging in paid prioritization.

“This will benefit all internet users in the District of Columbia by establishing our own net neutrality protections that prohibit discriminatory, anti-consumer, and anti-competitive conduct by broadband providers,” said Grosso.

Presently, nine states have enacted their own versions of net neutrality legislation while 34 states have introduced legislation attempting to reestablish net neutrality protections. If passed, the District of Columbia would join jurisdictions, such as California and New York, that have committed to ensuring an open and free Internet for all, that allows room for transparent and consumer-oriented conduct by internet service providers.

“Every DC resident has the right to equal access of all lawful content using any lawful device in the District. And we as elected leaders must stand up for that right,” said Grosso.

 Councilmembers Anita Bonds, Elissa Silverman, and Mary Cheh joined Grosso as co-introducers of the bill.

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Councilmember Grosso introduces legislation to utilize gender-inclusive language in D.C. official code

For Immediate Release:
January 7, 2020
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Grosso introduces legislation to utilize gender-inclusive language in D.C. official code

Washington, D.C. – Today, Councilmember David Grosso introduced legislation that would modernize the D.C. Official Code with gender-inclusive language that reflects the diversity of the District of Columbia population.

“Older laws show outdated thinking about gender with a default to masculine pronouns or to masculinized forms of nouns. Other laws fail to embody the gender diversity of our community, instead of using binary language,” said Grosso. “Language matters, language holds power, and the language of our laws is especially important.”

The Gendered Terms Modernization Amendment Act of 2020 seeks to change gendered D.C. Code language to gender-neutral terms by proposing a list of replacements for existing terms found throughout the D.C. Code. For example, “he or she” would be changed to “the individual” or the single gender-neutral “they”. Additionally, the bill amends the D.C. Charter and Home Rule Act to remove patriarchal terms, such as the title of the D.C. Council’s “Chairman” in favor of “Chairperson”. The bill provides exceptions for laws that require specifically gendered language. 

The District of Columbia would join jurisdictions, such as Sacramento and Detroit, that have undertaken similar efforts to require gender-inclusive language in their laws and codes.

“D.C. has long been a leader in women’s rights, transgender rights, and recognizing the gender diversity of our community,” said Grosso. “The language in our laws should further that commitment.”

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Analysis of D.C. police reforms shows progress, need for more action

For Immediate Release
December 17, 2019

Contact
Matthew Nocella, mnocella@dccouncil.us
202.724.8105

Analysis of D.C. police reforms shows progress, need for more action

Washington, D.C. – The District of Columbia could be doing more to reform police practices and increase accountability, according to a new report released today by Local Progress, a network of local elected officials across the country, that analyzed 12 similar jurisdictions across the country. 

Using the Reform / Transform: Policing Policy Tool, the evaluation of 12 cities shows that there is still a need for significant improvements to the use of force and independent oversight measures. D.C. stands out among the other eleven jurisdictions evaluated, scoring high marks for its work to end cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

“While D.C. has made more progress than some other places when it comes to reforming our police practices, we still have plenty more to do,” said Councilmember David Grosso, who is an active member of the Local Progress coalition. “Reform / Transform offers D.C. leaders and community members a simple, visual tool that shows us where we can make the most effective improvements and provides us a metric by which we can hold ourselves accountable for implementing real policing reforms.”

The tool itself was launched in 2018 to provide local elected officials, policymakers, and organizers with a resource on how to evaluate policing reforms on a set of standardized best practices across jurisdictions. Over the past year, the group has engaged local elected officials and community leaders to evaluate their localities’ policing practices. 

The analysis–which was completed in Chicago, Dallas, Durham, Louisville, Madison, Minneapolis, New York City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, and the District of Columbia–evaluates four areas of policing practices: use of force, independent oversight, co-optation of local law enforcement for federal immigration enforcement, and investment in public safety beyond policing. 

D.C. got one of the best scores on limiting local law enforcement involvement with immigration enforcement, due in part to a policy change earlier year: ending the Department of Corrections’ practice of notifying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when residents with immigration detainers were being released from the jail, a policy Councilmember Grosso had been pushing for years. D.C. also got credit for having an independent, civilian oversight body for the Metropolitan Police Department, putting restrictions and reporting in place regarding police use of force, and investing in violence prevention efforts that are not dependent on police. 

“Reforming the criminal legal system is an on-going effort and has been one of my highest priorities as a Councilmember. I’m proud of the District’s progress toward a more community-focused, accountable police force, but more action is needed. I look forward to using this report as a tool to continue that work,” said Grosso. “I plan to introduce legislation in the coming months that closes the gaps in our policies that this report identifies. We need policies that place a greater emphasis on de-escalation training, make our police oversight body stronger and more independent, and deepen our commitment to our sanctuary city status.”

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Reform / Transform is a project of Local Progress, the movement of local elected officials advancing a racial and economic justice agenda through all levels of local government. We are elected leaders who build power with underrepresented communities, share bold ideas and policy among our network, and fight to reshape what is possible in our localities all across the country.

Councilmember Grosso introduces legislation to make parent-teacher organizations’ funding transparent and equitable

For Immediate Release:
December 3, 2019
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Grosso introduces legislation to make parent-teacher organizations’ funding transparent and equitable

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso, chairperson of the Committee on Education, today introduced legislation to improve family participation in parent-teacher organizations (PTOs) and make fundraising by these organizations more transparent and equitable.

“Parent-teacher organizations are an important part of any school community. They build fellowship, support our students, and help facilitate parental engagement,” said Councilmember Grosso. “All students and family members in the District of Columbia should be able to participate and benefit from these organizations, regardless of where they live or how much money they make.”

The District of Columbia Public Schools Family and School Community Fundraising Equity Act of 2019 establishes a DCPS Equity Fund to collect equity fees from PTOs that expend over $10,000 in monetary and in-kind value. These equity fees will then be distributed equitably to other DCPS PTOs. Further, it restricts PTOs from expending funds to hire instructional staff members.

“We must continue to increase investments in our schools so that outside fundraising by PTOs is not necessary to provide the supports our students need,” said Grosso, who as chairperson of the Committee on Education has increased per-student funding over the last three fiscal years. “While I will continue to push to provide schools the resources, they need to help our students succeed, we must address and level inequitable academic experiences and outcomes for DCPS students that PTOs can exacerbate.”

In 2018, The 74 Million reported that D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) parent-teacher organizations raised more than $5.5 million for only a quarter of DCPS elementary schools. This revenue equates to almost an additional full-time teacher or three additional instructional aides for each DCPS elementary school.

The schools whose PTOs brought in the least revenue — less than $60,000 on average — had an average of 74 percent economically disadvantaged students. Seventy-five percent of elementary schools did not report any PTO revenue.

The Center for American Progress reported that in the 2013-14 school year, DC’s five wealthiest PTOs, all located west of Rock Creek Park, raised over $2.9 million. The top PTO raised almost $1.4 million—about $2,220 per student—while the next four PTOs each raised over $300,000.

The bill will also improve transparency by requiring PTOs to submit annual budgets to DCPS. Additionally, it prohibits PTOs from requesting a specified donation amount from family members and requiring family members to donate funds in order to vote on PTO-related measures.

“Publicly reported PTO budgets will enable families to make informed decisions before they donate and track how their giving is utilized,” said Grosso. “And because PTOs are stronger when all families are able to participate, it is essential that we remove barriers that pressure families to give at certain levels or create a poll tax that will exclude the voices of families who cannot afford to donate.”

Councilmember Vince Gray signed on as a co-introducer of the legislation, which was referred to the Committee on Education.

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Councilmember Grosso seeks to create ombudsman to help local businesses navigate regulatory processes

For Immediate Release:
November 19, 2019
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Grosso seeks to create ombudsman to help local businesses navigate regulatory processes

Washington, D.C. – Today, Councilmember David Grosso introduced the Local Business Support Amendment Act of 2019, which would create an ombudsman to assist local businesses as they seek regulatory approvals from the District of Columbia government.

 “I have met with local businesses of all sizes throughout the District in my time in office and I have consistently heard that D.C. government regulations are overly complicated and offer few incentives for businesses to locate or expand in the city,” said Grosso. “However, there are a few relatively simple ways the D.C. Council can act to alleviate the government-imposed burdens on our city’s businesses, including the legislation I have introduced today.

 The bill creates a Local Business Ombudsman, in the Department of Small and Local Business Development, who will act as an independent business navigator and will work on behalf of businesses to troubleshoot and serve as the point of contact during permitting, licensing and taxation process.

 “During my first term, I served as an active member of the Committee on Business, Consumer, and Regulatory Affairs and was an active member of the Workforce Investment Council.  During that time, I became deeply familiar with the agencies that govern business operations in District of Columbia,” said Grosso. “I believe this bill can be the catalyst for a necessary conversation about how we can pass responsible laws and regulations that do not hinder the greatest drivers of our local economy.”

 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, chairperson of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, joined Grosso to introduce the legislation.

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Councilmember Grosso seeks to further reduce suicides with training for healthcare professionals

For Immediate Release:
November 19, 2019
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Grosso seeks to further reduce suicides with training for healthcare professionals

Washington, D.C. – Health care professionals in the District of Columbia would be required to complete suicide prevention training under new legislation introduced by Councilmember David Grosso today.

“Health care providers are on the front lines of suicide prevention every day,” said Grosso, who is a member of the D.C. Council’s Committee on Health. “Equipping them to spot the warning signs of suicide and connect their patients with the appropriate treatment will help D.C. further reduce the number of District residents who die by suicide each year.”

The Suicide Prevention Continuing Medical Education Amendment Act of 2019 requires health care professionals to complete training on suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management to provide comprehensive care for at-risk patients as part of their continuing medical education requirements.

Research indicates that as many as 45 percent of suicide victims had visited their primary care physician within a month of their death, making such visits prime opportunities to identify at-risk patients.

Suicide remains a leading cause of death among key age groups in the District of Columbia It is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24-year-olds, the fourth leading cause of death for 25 to 34-year-olds, and the fifth leading cause of death for 35 to 44-year-olds.

The legislation is supported by the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, the nation's largest non-profit dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide through research, awareness, and aid to those affected.

“Suicide prevention and mental health awareness starts with the local community,” said Trevor Bernard, Public Policy Chair of AFSP’s National Capital Area Chapter. “The Suicide Prevention Continuing Medical Education Amendment Act will ensure education and training for medical professionals to help recognize and support their patients who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide. We appreciate Councilmember David Grosso’s leadership on this legislation and ask the community and the rest of the Council of the District of Columbia to support this bill so that we may take the steps necessary to one day live in a world without suicide."

Suicide, both deaths and attempts, cost D.C. a total of $53,227,000 combined lifetime medical and work loss cost in 2010, or an average of $1,298,219 per suicide death, according to AFSP.

“I want to thank the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for their partnership on this legislation, their outreach to build support during their first D.C. State Capitol Day last week, and all their efforts to support our residents who are struggling with suicide,” said Grosso.

Councilmember Grosso has made suicide prevention a focus of his tenure on the Council, especially in the District’s schools. As chairperson of the Committee on Education, Grosso passed the Youth Suicide Prevention and School Climate Survey Amendment Act in 2016 and has championed better planning for and secured greater investments in school-based mental and behavioral health supports.

“I see the struggles and trauma of young people–the loss of a loved one, gun violence, school bullying and or inadequate mental health resources in our schools–that can lead them to contemplate or attempt suicide,” Grosso said. “We have made great strides in schools, but our youth are not the only ones who need help.”

Health Committee Chairperson Vincent Gray joined Councilmember Grosso as a co-introducer of the legislation, along with Councilmembers Anita Bonds, Elissa Silverman, Mary Cheh and Brandon Todd.

The bill was referred to the Committee on Health.

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The criminalization of sex work has caused more harm than good. D.C. needs a new approach.

For Immediate Release:
October 17, 2019
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

The criminalization of sex work has caused more harm than good.

D.C. needs a new approach.

Statement of Councilmember David Grosso

Washington, D.C. – The following is Councilmember David Grosso’s opening statement delivered at the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety hearing on the Community Safety and Health Amendment Act of 2019, which would abandon the District of Columbia’s criminalization approach to sex work in favor of one that focuses on human rights, health, and safety:

“Thank you, Councilmember Allen, for convening this hearing today.

“This is a historic occasion as we consider how we as the government and the community should treat commercial sex and, most importantly, how we can better protect the human rights of the people involved.

“Earlier this year, along with Councilmembers Robert White, Brianne Nadeau, and Anita Bonds, I introduced the bill before us today, the Community Safety and Health Amendment Act of 2019.

“Over the past 3 years I developed this legislation in close partnership with the Sex Worker Advocates Coalition, and the bill is in line with recommendations from Amnesty International, the World Health Organization, U.N. AIDS, Human Rights Watch, and numerous other human rights, public health, and anti-trafficking organizations.

“Since coming into office, I have met with and listened to sex workers and other people who trade sexual services for money as well as survivors of human trafficking.

“I met with them because all of my work at the Council is grounded in a human rights and racial equity framework.

“That means looking out for the human rights of the most marginalized communities, including people in the sex trade, and reconsidering policies that perpetuate racism.

“In listening to those most directly affected, I heard how criminalization and stigma cause tremendous harm to people in the sex trade.

“The challenges facing these members of our community are many: I have heard far too many stories of violence, including stabbings, beatings, shootings, rapes, and murder, all because the perpetrators think they can act with impunity against those in the sex trade.

“Worse, we hear of police refusing to help, blaming people in the sex trade for the violence they have suffered. Doctors and other professionals sworn to help instead of mistreating and shaming people. Evictions by landlords and discrimination by shelters and other social service providers.

“Police seize condoms and other safer sex materials, or prosecutors use them as evidence of crime.

“Threats of arrest, of no one believing you because you are just a whore, of being reported to ICE, and more, being used by traffickers and other bad actors to exploit people in the sex trade.

“What I heard and what research has shown is that criminalization of sex for money between consenting adults does not stop these harms from happening.

“Rather, criminalization directly encourages these harms by further marginalizing people, saddling them with criminal records, making them fear the government, and labeling them as criminal and deviant and therefore acceptable targets for violence.

“People in the sex trade and those who work with them are not the only ones who know that the criminalization approach has failed.

“Ask any neighbor in an area where commercial sex happens, and they will tell you that the activity persists, despite police patrols, raids, stings, or marching sex workers across the bridge to Virginia as was done in the ‘80s.

“I often refer to an article from April 28, 2017, in the Washington Post describing the arrests of eight people on prostitution charges at Massachusetts and Twelfth NW.

“The article notes that a similar incident happened in 2014 at the same corner—police arrested 19 people that time. And in 1995, a sergeant was quoted in yet another article in the Post arguing that the latest arrests at the corner had tackled the problem.

“Arresting adults for engaging in consenting sexual acts for money does not stop it from happening and it does not address the other problems that we are concerned about, whether serious ones like violence and exploitation or more trivial but still important ones like condoms on sidewalks.

“It is overdue for D.C. to change how we address commercial sex in our city and seek a new approach that focuses on human rights, health, and safety.

“What is the best approach to achieve those goals? People who trade sex for money tell me that we need to decriminalize consensual sex for money between consenting adults.

“By removing criminal penalties for those in the sex trade, we can bring people out of the shadows, help them live safer and healthier lives, and more easily tackle the complaints we hear from communities about trash or noise.

“Perhaps most importantly, this is about giving people more options, not fewer.

“In New Zealand where this approach has been in place for over a decade, sex workers report feeling safer and better able to assert their rights.

“A report last winter from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that sex workers in criminalized contexts were three times more likely to face physical and sexual violence than those in jurisdictions with less policing.

“The internationally respected medical journal the Lancet estimates that 33 to 45 percent of HIV cases could be prevented by the removal of criminal penalties from commercial sex.

“Contrary to what you may have heard, this bill does not change any of our laws regarding coercion or exploitation, which will continue to be prohibited.

“Nor does it change how criminal penalties are used to combat the trafficking of minors.

“This has been the topic of much debate about the bill. Let me be clear, the bill maintains legal prohibitions on operating a house of prostitution, i.e. a brothel.

“And allow me to clarify another point of content—this bill does not legalize ‘pimping’.

“The use of coercion, force, or fraud by another person to compel someone to engage in commercial sex remains strictly illegal under this proposed legislation.

“To the contrary, by bringing people in the sex trade out of the shadows, we can fully engage them as partners in the fight against human trafficking, as recognized by international anti-trafficking organizations such as La Strada and Global Alliance Against Trafficking in Women.

“Removing criminalization means we can work with people in the sex trade to prevent violence and tackle HIV, as groups from the United Nations to law enforcement to public health experts have all noted.

“Finally, because I believe this bill is a first step to improving community health and safety and because it is important to constantly assess the impact of our work on the Council, the bill creates a task force to study the effects of these changes.

“Particularly important to that effort will be recommendations for budget increases. We know that one of the best ways to fight human trafficking and to give people in the sex trade more options is by funding people’s basic needs.

“Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not note the incredible racial disparities in who is criminalized under our current system. Overwhelmingly, people who are African American are arrested and convicted of the offenses that this bill would decriminalize.

“Data from MPD shows that from 2014 to 2017, almost 74% of arrests for commercial sex were of African American people, with about 14% being Latina or Latino.

“Data from the D.C. Sentencing Commission shows that over the last two years, 89% of individuals convicted for prostitution-related offenses were African American. Since 2010, that percentage has been roughly the same, at 87%.

“We also know that the LGBT community, particularly transgender women, is disproportionately affected by the criminalization of commercial sex.

“This legislation is about reducing harm. I know that everyone here today shares that goal. We may have different opinions about the best approach, but let us assume the best intentions of each other.

“Keeping people safe, healthy, and with their human rights respected cuts across whether someone identifies as a sex worker, sex trafficking survivor, or is just doing what they need to do in order to pay the bills.

“We need to dramatically improve life for people in all these circumstances. The bill before us today may not be perfect, but its core tenets represent our best chance for significantly changing things for the better for the communities we all care about.

“Thank you, again, Councilmember Allen for holding this hearing.

“I know that it wasn’t easy, but you took up the challenge of furthering the discussion on this topic, and I’m grateful to you for that. Our city is better for it.

“Finally, thank you to everyone here today to testify. I look forward to the discussion.”

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Councilmember Grosso introduces bills to enhance representation in local government

For Immediate Release:
October 8, 2019
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Grosso introduces bills to enhance representation in local government

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso introduced three bills today that create a local government that is more representative, better reflects the preferences of residents, and includes those whose voices have been left out of local decisions.

“Over the past few weeks we have renewed our focus on making the District of Columbia the 51st state and finally ending the injustice that has deprived our residents of a voice in our federal government,” said Grosso. “While this fight is of paramount importance, it is equally important to examine the ways we can improve representation in our own local government.”

Accurately reflecting the will of voters

“Too often in the District of Columbia, we see victors emerge from a crowded field with far less than a majority of the vote,” Grosso said. “That may be even more likely to occur now as the Fair Elections program I introduced, and this Council passed, has successfully encouraged more residents to seek elected office.”

The Ranked Choice Voting Amendment Act of 2019 introduced by Grosso today would implement ranked choice voting, sometimes called instant runoff voting, in D.C. elections.

Ranked choice voting ensures that individuals receive a majority of the vote of the electorate by allowing voters to rank the choices on their ballots in order of preference. Tabulation of results proceeds in rounds. The first round eliminates the person with the fewest votes, then reallocates those votes to the voter’s second choice in the next round. This continues until one person receives a clear majority of the vote.

“This important legislation will increase voter turnout as voters will be free to mark their ballot for the candidate that they truly prefer without fear that their choice will help elect their least preferred candidate,” said Grosso.

Currently, Maine and 11 cities utilize ranked choice voting for their elections.

The bill was co-introduced by Councilmembers Elissa Silverman, Brianne Nadeau, and Mary Cheh and was referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.

A voice in government for permanent residents

Grosso also re-introduced the Local Residents Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2019, which allows permanent residents in the District of Columbia, who are on the path to U.S. citizenship, the right to vote in local D.C. elections for Mayor, Council, State Board of Education, Advisory Neighborhood Commission, and Attorney General.

“While our rallying cry for statehood has included the mantra ‘No taxation without representation’ the same can be said for our legal permanent residents who use our streets, send their children to our schools, and pay taxes just like any other resident—and deserve a voice in our democracy,” said Grosso.

The bill was co-introduced by Councilmembers Elissa Silverman, Robert White, Brianne Nadeau, Jack Evans, Brandon Todd, and Charles Allen and was referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.

Greater representation in local government for all

Finally, Grosso introduced the Enhanced Representation Charter Amendment Act of 2019 which would reform the District of Columbia legislature to provide D.C. residents additional input into the local political process.

“I have often said that in a city as large as ours with a population greater than some states, 13 members can be insufficient to tackle the multitude of issues we see regularly in a meaningful way,” said Grosso.

The legislation creates a bicameral legislature for the District made up of a Senate of nine senators and an Assembly of twenty-seven Representatives. This bill also makes the elections to the legislature non-partisan, ensuring that one party primary does not serve as a de facto general election.

“With more representatives representing fewer residents, public input can be better captured at each stage of the legislative process,” said Grosso. “And additional elected officials and staff mean more time and thought dedicated to improving our legislative outcomes.”

The bill was co-introduced by Councilmembers Robert White and Brianne Nadeau and referred to the Committee of the Whole.

“While the residents of the District of Columbia deserve representation in the U.S. Congress, they also deserve a local government that better represents everyone who is affected by our decisions. One that truly reflects their preferences in candidates. And one that provides residents multiple avenues to affect the decisions we make every day on their behalf,” concluded Grosso.

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It’s time to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day in D.C.

For Immediate Release:
October 7, 2019
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

It’s time to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day in D.C.

Washington, D.C. – The following is a statement from Councilmember David Grosso ahead of tomorrow’s legislative meeting of the Council of the District of Columbia, where he will propose legislation to rename the holiday celebrated on the second Monday in October to “Indigenous Peoples’ Day”:

“For at least five years now legislation supported by a majority of the Council that would honor our native populations and rename Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day has been stalled by Chairman Mendelson without any public input or hearing.

“Tomorrow, along with Councilmembers Allen, Bonds, Cheh, Nadeau, Trayon White, and Robert White, I will put forth legislation that will force a vote of the full Council to finally do the right thing by ending the celebration of the misleading narrative of Christopher Columbus on the second Monday in October.

“This move is not controversial. Maine, New Mexico, Vermont, North Carolina, Alaska, South Dakota, Oregon, and at least 130 cities and towns have now renamed the holiday, according to the New York Times.

“This is not just a movement in other areas of the country—I feel it right here in the District of Columbia every single day. I get letters from students requesting the name change; I know many schools use the holiday to honor Indigenous People instead of Christopher Columbus; and frankly, it’s an accident of history that Columbus is honored in this way.

“Columbus Day was officially designated as a federal holiday in 1937 despite the fact that Columbus did not discover North America, despite the fact that millions of people were already living in North America upon his arrival in the Americas, and despite the fact that Columbus never set foot on the shores of the current United States.

“Columbus enslaved, colonized, mutilated, and massacred thousands of Indigenous People in the Americas.

“We cannot continue to allow this history to be celebrated as a holiday in the District of Columbia. The government of the District of Columbia is clear that we are a government that values equality, diversity, and inclusion. Continuing to observe a holiday built on the celebration of oppression runs counter to those values.

“Already a majority of the Council has indicated their support to re-designate the second Monday in October through previous bills. It is my hope that we can come together tomorrow and honor Indigenous People and their rich history and cultural contributions with a “yes” vote ahead of October 14.”

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Councilmember Grosso joined by national advocates to encourage victims of sexual abuse to file civil claims under new law

For Immediate Release:
October 7, 2019
 
Contacts:
Councilmember Grosso: Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Zero Abuse Project: Melissa Green, 202.618.6961 - melissagreen@rational360.com

Grosso joined by national advocates to encourage victims of sexual abuse to file civil claims under new law

Washington, D.C. – Victims of sexual abuse in the District of Columbia may be eligible to file civil lawsuits against their abusers, even if previously barred by the statute of limitations under a law enacted by the D.C. Council last year.

The Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations Amendment Act of 2018, which incorporated parts of Councilmember David Grosso’s Childhood Protection Against Sexual Abuse Amendment Act, ended the criminal statute of limitations and extended the civil statute of limitations for any case of sexual abuse–not just acts of sexual abuse that occurred while the survivor was a minor.

Additionally, the law created a two-year window for civil claims that were previously time-barred for survivors up to the age of 40 to be filed.

“The recent spate of high-profile cases involving allegations of and convictions for sexual abuse underscore the pervasiveness of sexual assault in America,” said Councilmember David Grosso at a press conference held today with advocates for survivors of sexual abuse. “The prevalence of these incidences, across every sector, from the Catholic Church to as far-reaching as the Office of the President of the United States, defies the word ‘problem.’ As policymakers, we have to ensure that every available option is afforded to those who have been harmed. This law will allow the many courageous survivors across the city to seek justice under the law.”

Previously, civil actions related to sexual abuse must have been commenced within 7 years of the date the victim attains the age of 18 or 3 years from when the victim knew, or reasonably should have known, of any act constituting the abuse, whichever is later. Now individuals have until the age of 40, or 5 years from when they knew, or reasonably should have known, of any act constituting sexual abuse, whichever is later, to file a civil action.

D.C. is leading the way along with seven states as part of a growing national movement to end statutes of limitation for sexual abuse. Grosso partnered with national organizations Zero Abuse Project and the National Crime Victims Bar Association to educate and raise awareness of the window for survivors to file civil lawsuits over the next two years.

“I want to thank Councilmember Grosso for his efforts to assist survivors and protect the children of the District of Columbia from future abuse. Because of this work, under the Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations Amendment Act of 2018, survivors of child sexual abuse can now seek justice and hold predators and the institutions that covered for them accountable for decades of abuse,” said Jeffery Dion, CEO of the Zero Abuse Project. “Moving forward, the new law also removes the perverse incentives for institutions to cover abuse as they can no longer just wait out a short statute of limitations to protect their reputation. The Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations Amendment Act of 2018 is in fact our most powerful tool to stop abuse and protect kids.”

The law became effective on May 3, 2019 and thus victims of sexual abuse whose claims had been previously barred due to the statute of limitations have until May 3, 2021 to file civil lawsuits against their abusers.

“As a survivor of child sexual abuse that occurred here in DC, I want to commend Councilmember Grosso for a critical first step for survivors. The two year window and extending the age to 40 from 25 is a huge victory,” said former NFL player Al Chesley, who survived sexual abuse at the hands of D.C. police officer in his youth. “It took 33 years after my abuse to be willing to admit it to myself and talk about it with others – I was 48 years old which also happens to be the national average for survivors to come forward -- so I encourage everyone working to support survivors of child sex abuse to continue to push until there is no statute of limitations for civil cases.” Chesley continued.

The National Crime Victim Bar Association offers a referral service for survivors who would like to pursue civil suits. Referrals are based on type of case and location. Each survivor will be offered three referrals.

“The enactment of the Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations Amendment Act of 2018 represents a crucial step in helping victims of child sexual abuse seek justice so long denied to them. It also represents a much-needed readiness to hold abusers, and those who remained complicit with abuse, accountable for their crimes,” said Renee Williams, Director of the National Crime Victim Bar Association. “The National Crime Victim Bar Association stands ready to assist victims of child sexual abuse by ensuring they have access to the civil justice system. Victims seeking an attorney can request an attorney referral by accessing victimbar.org/referrals or by calling 1-844-4HELPDC.”

“I hope more jurisdictions to follow our lead,” said Grosso. “Child safety depends on legislators holding institutions, not just individual perpetrators, accountable for their actions. We cannot continue to allow individuals or institutions to maintain their depraved secrets. We must instead encourage and empower victims to come forward and know that a fair and just system is in place to help them right unspeakable wrongs.”

Grosso and the Zero Abuse Project will hold a town hall at the John A. Wilson Building on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 to educate survivors about their options and connect them to resources to seek justice and healing.

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Councilmember Grosso introduces legislation to protect D.C. abortion rights

For Immediate Release:
September 17, 2019
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Grosso introduces legislation to protect D.C. abortion rights

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso today pushed back against a tide of measures in several states that seek to limit reproductive health freedom by introducing legislation to affirm all D.C. residents’ right to access the full range of reproductive health options, including abortion.

“Across the country, reproductive health decisions—and specifically abortion rights—are under attack,” said Grosso. “President Trump continues to nominate judges that will shift the ideological makeup of the courts, while state legislatures enact unconstitutional laws that restrict access to abortion.”

Since January, 10 states have passed total or near-total bans on abortion. In some cases, laws like Alabama’s, the strictest abortion ban in the country, are crafted in such a way to force the court to revisit Roe v. Wade. In other states, restrictive laws are meant to make access to abortion so difficult that it will not matter whether Roe v. Wade stands or not.

“D.C. residents have the right, in consultation with their doctor and free from government interference, to make medical decisions about contraception, abortion, or carrying a pregnancy to term,” Grosso said. “We must enshrine that right into the D.C. Human Rights Act, leaving no doubt that the District of Columbia stands for reproductive health freedom.”

The Strengthening Reproductive Health Protections Amendment Act of 2019 puts D.C. in direct opposition to this trend by amending the 1977 Human Rights Act to recognize the right to choose or refuse abortion care, prohibit the criminalization of self-managed abortion, and protect health care professionals against employer discrimination based on their participation in providing abortion care.

“We need lasting protection for reproductive health access now, no matter what happens in Congress, in the states, or in the courts,” said Grosso.

Councilmembers Anita Bonds, Elissa Silverman, Brianne Nadeau, Mary Cheh, and Charles Allen joined Grosso as a co-introducer of the bill, as well Councilmember Brandon Todd, chairperson of the committee to which the legislation was referred.

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Councilmember Grosso re-introduces legislation to ban the use of “gay/trans panic” defenses in D.C.

For Immediate Release:
September 17, 2019
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Grosso re-introduces legislation to ban the use of “gay/trans panic” defenses in D.C.

Washington, D.C. – At the D.C. Council’s first legislative meeting after summer recess, Councilmember David Grosso re-introduced his legislation to counter the use of “gay/trans panic” defenses, which seek to utilize the stigma associated with the sexual orientation, gender identity, or other identity expression of victims to excuse violent crimes.

“I am a passionate supporter of the human rights of criminal defendants, a fair and swift trial, and for alternatives to incarceration,” said Grosso. “All of that is possible without resorting to a defense that is premised on bias against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender individuals.”

The Tony Hunter and Bella Evangelista Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2019 would curtail the availability and effectiveness of defenses that seek to partially or completely excuse crimes such as murder and assault on the grounds that the victim’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or other inherent identity, is to blame for the defendant’s violent action. The bill also requires an anti-bias jury instruction in criminal trials if requested by the prosecutor or the defendant.

“The bill makes one thing clear: a defense that exploits bias is simply unacceptable,” said Grosso.

Councilmember Grosso originally introduced the bill in February 2017 as the Secure a Fair and Equitable (SAFE) Trial Act. Over the summer, Grosso worked closely with LGBTQ advocates ahead of re-introduction and fulfilled their request to rename the bill in honor of Tony Hunter, a gay man, and Bella Evangelista, a transgender woman.

“LGBTQ+ panic defenses have long stood as a symbol of dangerous and outdated thinking,” said D’Arcy Kemnitz, Executive Director of the National LGBT Bar Association. “The Tony Hunter and Bella Evangelista Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2019 would send a clear message: Discrimination has no validity in the courtroom.”

“Victims of crime, their families, and their communities experience enough trauma without having to shoulder the blame for their murder or assault or watch their loved one’s name maligned as they seek justice,” said David Mariner, Executive Director of The D.C. Center for the LGBT Community. “I greatly appreciate Councilmember Grosso’s continued engagement with the LGBTQ+ community on this issue and for naming the bill in honor of Tony Hunter and Bella Evangelista–two victims whose cases were marred by the discriminatory statements that are used in the making of these panic defenses.”

“This bill would prohibit the misuse of a victim’s identity as an excuse for perpetrating a murder or violence. The ‘panic’ defense attempts to justify a criminal act motivated by a defendant’s racism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, ableism or other bias. This Act is a necessary step to address an anachronism in our legal system that demeans and devalues the lives of vulnerable people. These defenses simply have no place in our justice system and it is time for them to go,” said Sasha Buchert, Senior Attorney at Lambda Legal.

In August, the Washington Post reported that D.C. saw the highest number of bias-motivated attacks last year and had the highest per capita hate-crime rate of any major city in the country.

“In this time of heightened rhetoric of hate and violence, it is incredibly important that we act to eliminate bias whenever we can. I appreciate the renewed grassroots support for this legislation, including the many letters and resolutions Advisory Neighborhood Commissions have recently approved, and urge the Council to move swiftly,” said Grosso.

Councilmembers Elissa Silverman, Robert White, Brianne Nadeau, Mary Cheh, Brandon Todd, and Charles Allen joined Grosso as co-introducers of the legislation.

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