As an independent agency, OAG is authorized to introduce legislation for the Council’s consideration, such as campaign finance bills introduced in 2016 and 2017 designed to end the appearance of pay-to-play politics. Based on Attorney General Racine’s policy priorities and feedback gathered from our community engagement, OAG introduced the below bills to address community concerns.
If you have any questions, please contact James Pittman, Deputy for Legislative, Intergovernmental and Community Engagement, at James.Pittman@dc.gov.
OAG-Introduced Legislation
Protecting Your Credit During Security Breaches
Credit Protection Fee Waiver Emergency and Temporary Acts
Security Breach Protection Amendment Act
Following the massive Equifax data breach, which left more than 145 million Americans vulnerable to identity theft, OAG introduced and the Council passed a bill requiring credit-reporting agencies to offer free credit freezes. OAG also submitted legislation to update the District’s data breach and privacy laws, requiring all businesses to take reasonable steps to protect consumers’ data and ensuring violations will be subject to the penalty provisions of the Consumer Protection Procedures Act.
Helping Grieving Families
Funeral Services Consumer Protection Amendment Act
Planning a funeral can be a very emotional and expensive experience, and grieving families should not have to worry about potential scams. Attorney General Racine submitted legislation to the Council to increase transparency in the funeral industry and to better protect consumers.
Working to Stop Opioid Overdoses
Revised Synthetics Abatement and Full Enforcement Drug Control Act
Opioid overdose deaths are skyrocketing in the District, particularly in the most vulnerable communities. The opioid fentanyl was found in more than 80% of the District’s overdose victims in 2017. To combat this epidemic, Attorney General Racine introduced legislation that strengthens law enforcement’s ability to test for, and prosecute crimes related to, fentanyl.
Combating Sexual Crimes
Sexual Extortion Amendment Act
Sextortion is a terrible form of blackmail that gives sexual predators power over their victims—especially children. This blackmail occurs when a person obtains sexually explicit images of an individual and threatens to release them unless the victim meets their demands (monetary, sexual, or otherwise). To stop this, Attorney General Racine introduced legislation that will make sextortion a crime and give the District more tools to stop traffickers and other sexual predators from victimizing kids.