Plain English Breakdown
The exact effective date is not listed in the provided text, only that it takes effect after Mayor approval and lasts up to 90 days. The June 18, 2025 expiration mentioned in metadata may be calculated from an unstated start date.
Clemency Board Waiver Authority Emergency Amendment Act of 2025
This law allows the District's Clemency Board to skip the usual five-year waiting period for pardon applicants only if they receive written notice that a federal official has already granted such a waiver.
What This Bill Does
- Allows the Clemency Board to grant waivers of the five-year waiting requirement for people seeking pardons upon their written request.
- Requires the Board to have received written notice from the Office of the Pardon Attorney stating that the Pardon Attorney or President has waived the federal five-year rule before granting a waiver.
- Gives the Clemency Board the option to deny a waiver even if they receive the required federal notice.
- Prohibits the Board from granting waivers to applicants who are currently on probation, parole, or supervised release.
- Allows the Board to ask for more information or meet with an applicant to discuss their request before making a decision.
- Requires the Board to send written notice to the applicant about whether they granted or denied the waiver.
Who It Names or Affects
- People in Washington, D.C., who are applying for a pardon from the Clemency Board.
- The District of Columbia Clemency Board members and staff.
- The Office of the Pardon Attorney within the U.S. Department of Justice.
Terms To Know
- Clemency Board
- A group in Washington, D.C., that reviews requests for pardons and other relief from criminal penalties.
- Pardon Attorney
- An official within the U.S. Department of Justice who handles federal pardon applications.
- Waiver
- Official permission to ignore a specific rule or requirement, such as waiting five years before applying for a pardon.
Limits and Unknowns
- This law is an emergency act and will remain in effect for no longer than 90 days after it takes effect.
- The Board cannot grant waivers to anyone currently under supervision like probation, parole, or supervised release.
- An applicant's pardon application must be paused until the Board decides whether to grant a waiver.