TO: Chair Nathanson
FR: Don Haines
SJ: Proposed language for report on Human Rights Act
This is the language I said I would provide as a suggestion for the committee report on
Bill 10-30:
During its hearing, the Committee received testimony from several witnesses to the
effect that when a generally applicable criminal statute is widely violated, there arises
the opportunity for discriminatory enforcement against disfavored minorities and
individuals. Witnesses also testified that the specified law under amendment in this
legislation has itself been the source of discriminatory enforcement, so that the proposed
legislation would in fact reduce this discrimination—discrimination prohibited under
Chapter 25 of title 1 of the D.C. Code.
