As we near the end of 2025, I want to share how proud I am of the District and its residents. 2025 was..... A LOT! This year, the attacks on DC Home Rule have been persistent and have challenged us in unimaginable ways, but the relentless tenacity and good nature exhibited by our residents has remained unfaltering. With two weeks left until the New Year, I am as always humbled to continue serving the residents of the District and remain steadfast in its defense through the work that my team and I execute. There will no doubt be more challenges ahead and we will face them together while providing continuous communication, dogged oversight, and all-around good government.
This newsletter is filled with my legislative endeavors over the past 12 months, highlighting my introduced bills, investments by the Committee on Health, and more.
Wishing you and yours a safe and joyous holiday season!
In Service,
Christina Henderson Councilmember, At-Large ChristinaHendersonDC.com
Councilmember Henderson joins CNN’s This Morning with Audie Cornish in August to discuss public safety in the District.
Number of hearings and roundtables held by the Committee on Health: 32
Number of bills marked up by the Committee on Health: 5
Number of nominees approved by the Committee on Health: 19
Amount of money approved in Health cluster in FY26 budget: $6.2 billion
Number of bills introduced by Team Henderson overall (where we were chief introducer): 30 permanent, 3 emergency, 2 ceremonial, 1 Congressional Review Emergency, 1 Sense of the Council
Number of Team Henderson bills with a hearing: 14
Number of Team Henderson bills marked up in other Committees: 7
Number of Team Henderson bills passed by the Council: 7
Number of bills co-introduced: 55
Number of community meetings attended: 35
Number of constituent service cases completed: 65, plus over 100 referrals
Councilmember Henderson attends the ceremonial street renaming of Alma Thomas Way. She introduced the Alma Thomas Way Designation Act of 2025 to honor the local icon and the first African American woman to have a solo exhibit at the Whitney Museum, Alma Thomas.the Alma Thomas Way Designation Act of 2025 to honor the local icon and the first African American woman to have a solo exhibit at the Whitney Museum, Alma Thomas.
Helping School Communities and Students Thrive
I re-introduced the Advancing Equity in Special Education Protocols Amendment Act to provide greater stability for special education students, increase communication between DC Public Schools (DCPS) and families, and codify staff-to-student ratios for self-contained special education classrooms.
To prepare students for meaningful careers while addressing critical work force gaps, I introduced the Future Smiles Pilot Program Establishment Amendment Act of 2025 that would establish a two-year pilot program providing high school students with the coursework and hands on experience necessary to become Level II Dental Assistants in the District of Columbia.
In 2016, I drafted the Planning Actively for Comprehensive Education Facilities Amendment Act (PACE), which facilitated an equitable approach to the modernization of DCPS facilities. Almost 10 years later my introduction of the PACE Amendment Act of 2025 furthers that goal by not only clarifying agency discretion afforded during the prioritization process but also ensuring DCPS schools with historic designations do not get left behind.
In the name of good government efficiency, I introduced the Education Reports Simplification Amendment Act of 2025 by repealing reporting requirements that are no longer relevant or useful and updating statutory language to reflect how information is currently shared with the Council and the public. The Committee of the Whole held a hearing on this bill in November.
The ongoing federal presence in our city, along with the sunset of the DC ONE card, highlighted the need for uniform and consistent access to IDs for students in the District. The Student Identification Card Act of 2025 would fulfill this need and ensure that students can identify themselves to school staff, first responders, and community partners in the instance of emergency.
I re-introduced the Universal Free School Meals Amendment Act of 2025 to provide free universal school breakfast, lunch, and after-school snacks to students in public, charter, and participating private schools in the District during the 2025-2026 school year.
Following the closure of Eagle Academy Public Charter School, I introduced the Board of Trustees Training Amendment Act of 2025, which passed in September. It improves the oversight of public charter schools by requiring newly elected and appointed board members of a public charter school’s Board of Trustees to complete annual trainings on issues related to non-profit Board governance, including financial management.
Expanding Resident Resources
To ensure that every District resident can plan for a more secure financial future, I introduced the Automatic Retirement Savings Act of 2025 to establish a Retirement Savings Board which would manage a universally available and voluntary Retirement Savings Program for employees of private businesses who are not offered a retirement plan through their workplace and for certain self-employed individuals.
I re-introduced the Personal Property Tax Simplification Amendment Act of 2025 to raise the current personal property tax exemption for businesses in the District and to remove the requirement that businesses under the threshold file the personal property (FP-31) tax return form, aiming to reduce administrative burdens on small businesses and promote economic vitality.
Recognizing that extreme heat is more common due to climate change, I re-introduced the Climatizing Our Overheated Living Spaces Regulation Amendment Act of 2025 that would require owners of rental habitations who provide air conditioning to tenants to have individual air conditioning units or central air conditioning systems inspected and properly maintained each year. It would also set minimum and maximum year-round internal temperature requirements for rental housing where heating and air conditioning are under the control of the tenant. This bill had a hearing in 2024.
Councilmember Henderson officiating her first wedding in the John A. Wilson building during the federal government shutdown.
Improving Government Operations
To improve the administrative efficiency of procuring specialized goods, I introduced the Proficient Procurement Amendment Act of2025 to exempt District government procurements of vehicles and technology from certified business enterprise (CBE) requirements.
The latest federal government shutdown highlighted the need for readily available, locally controlled options for couples planning weddings in the District. The Let Our Vows Endure Amendment Act of 2025 would ensure a smooth transition of marriage license issuance functions from the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to the Mayor during full or partial federal government shutdowns. I also introduced emergency and temporary legislation of the same name soon after the shutdown began. Under the authority of that legislative packet, the Mayor issued more than 600 marriage licenses over 46 days.
I introduced and the Council passed in October the Closing of a Public Alley in Square 5624, S.O. 17-21054, Act of 2025 to dispose of an unimproved, or “paper”, alley that fell within the boundaries of the Lee Montessori Public Charter School East End campus in Ward 8, with the goal of ultimately allowing the school community to create a play space for its students on the unused land.
Recognizing that public officials have a responsibility to uphold the sacred trust of our office, I introduced the Public Service Exception Charter Amendment Act of 2025 which would prohibit any expelled Councilmember from again serving as Councilmember for the five-year period following expulsion.
Keeping Residents and Visitors Safe
I re-introduced the Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Amendment Act of 2025 to protect the safety and security of our retail establishments, their workers, and customers by exempting select businesses from being required to accept cash in an effort to reduce potential crime and safety concerns. The Council passed this bill on an emergency basis and the permanent bill had a hearing in the Committee on Public Works and Operations in June and hopefully will become law in 2026.
The Distribution of False Sexual Imagery Prohibition Amendment Act of 2025 would strengthen local safeguards for residents against of digital abuse by establishing new criminal penalties for the distribution of sexually explicit images, videos, and audio created through artificial intelligence (AI), directly addressing the emerging digital-age harm of creating and spreading non-consensual AI-generated sexual content depicting real individuals.
To create a safer and more responsive public safety system, I introduced the E911 Modernization Amendment Act of 2025 to enhance resources to modernize the District’s 911 and 311 emergency response telecommunications system.
Capital Investments in Essential Community Resources
I re-introduced the Unlocking Housing at Metro Property Tax Exemption Amendment Act of 2025 to provide WMATA with property tax exemptions to remove financial hurdles that currently prevent WMATA from developing mixed-use, affordable housing projects on vacant property near Metro stations such as Congress Heights, Deanwood, and Brookland.
The Planning Actively for Recreational upKeep so Neighborhood Resources Elevate Communities (PARKSNREC) Amendment Act of 2025 would require the Department of Parks and Recreation to provide transparency and predictability in the agency’s capital improvements plan by directing capital funding investments according to facility need and expected community growth, providing full-funding cost estimates for projects, and funding projects throughout the 6-year capital improvements plan. Part of this bill was included in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
Councilmember Henderson joins a celebration in Ward 8 for DC Central Kitchen’s Healthy Corners program expansion of the Stanton Supermarket at 1453 Howard Road SE.
I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as the Chair of the Committee on Health for Council Period 26 (CP26) during my second term as your At-Large Councilmember. Over the last year, the Committee on Health has endeavored to provide insightful and extensive recommendations for investments, hold impactful oversight hearings for District agencies and Boards, and craft essential legislation to improve health outcomes in the District. Below, you’ll find some of our key accomplishments over the past year.
Enhancing Support for Behavioral Health and Substance Use Treatment
In the FY26 budget, we extended the Substance Use and Behavioral Health Services Targeted Outreach Grants to provide an additional $800,000 from the Opioid Abatement Fund to support outreach services at four priority locations in Wards 1, 5, 7, and 8; $200,000 through a transfer from the Committee on Transportation and the Environment for a fifth site in Ward 6; and $750,000 through a transfer from the Committee on Public Works and Operations for a sixth site in Ward 1.
Extended critical funding to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Illicit Drug Surveillance program by providing $400,000 from the Opioid Abatement Settlement Fund to sustain the agency’s forensic toxicology testing and development of new forensic testing methods.
Fully funded the “Child Behavioral Health Services Dashboard Amendment Act of 2024,” (D.C. Law 25-0279) which improves access to behavioral health resources for children, through a transfer of $111,599 in recurring funds for 1 FTE from the Committee on Youth Affairs.
Fully implemented the “Counseling Compact Approval Act of 2024,” (D.C. Law 25-0238) by working with the Department of Health to absorb the costs of the legislation.
I introduced the Behavioral Health Housing Voucher Transparency Amendment Act of 2025 to bring essential improvements to the District’s behavioral health services by building on proven strategies to improve efficiency, reduce delays, and prevent document loss. By standardizing requirements and providing real-time tracking, this bill would create a more transparent and user-friendly process, ultimately promoting housing stability and better outcomes for District residents. The Committee held a hearing on this bill in December.
In an effort to bolster residents’ access to behavioral health crisis services in the District, I recently introduced the 988 Lifeline Support and Sustainability Establishment Amendment Act of 2025 which would establish dedicated funding for the local 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline through a modest telecommunications surcharge. The Committee held a hearing on this bill in December and will look to move it in 2026.
Increasing Healthy Food Access
Extended the Grocery Access Pilot Program at $120,000, enabling 1,000 residents who participate in educational programs under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-Ed) to purchase groceries online without delivery fees.
Restored $200,000 in one-time funds to backfill the cancellation of the federal Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement grant program for purchases of locally grown produce from Dreaming Out Loud to ensure an on-time opening of the new Marion Barry Avenue Market, which provides fresh food and job opportunities in Ward 8.
Fully funded “Farmers Market Support Amendment Act of 2025,” (B26-0109) that I introduced and Council approved, which supports the operations of farmers markets in low food access areas, including streamlining the application to operate a farmers market in the District, by providing $493,829 to DC Health and $225,000 to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection through a transfer to the Committee on Public Works and Operations.
Councilmember Henderson distributes diapers to Community of Hope.
Improving Health for Birthing Parents and Families
Increased home visiting services for first time parents by approving a $100,000 increase and accepting a transfer of $300,000 from the Committee on Public Works & Operations, for a total of $625,000 for the Nurse Family Partnership.
Approved $500,000 in recurring funds for the distribution of diapers, formula, and other essential supplies via a grant to the DC Diaper Bank.
The District’s new health insurance coverage mandate for infertility treatment and diagnosis went into effect in January 2025. This came to be after the Council passed my bill Expanding Access to Fertility Treatment Act of 2025 in 2023. Over 750 individuals received fertility services under this coverage in the first nine months of 2025.
Councilmember Henderson participates in a rally at Children's National Hospital against the proposed cuts to Medicaid.
Enhancing Patient Care and Outcomes
Restored more than $3.7 million in FY 2026 and over $12.1 million across the financial plan to strike several provisions in the Mayor’s proposed subtitle DC Health Care Alliance Reform Amendment Act of 2025 in the Budget Support Act that imposes limits on eligibility and benefits for Alliance beneficiaries.
The Committee made the following changes to the subtitle:
Remove the face-to-face recertification requirement for adults (no cost);
Allow public school enrollment to count as proof of residency (no cost);
$1.8 million to increase the moratorium age for new Alliance beneficiaries from 21 to 26 in FY 2026;
$3.1 million to remove the face-to-face recertification requirement for youth under 19 (youth) through the financial plan;
$2.9 million to remove the recertification every 6 months requirement for youth through the financial plan (return to annual recertification);
$2.6 million to restore coverage of durable medical equipment (DME) for all adults through FY 2027;
$1.7 million to restore coverage of DME for youth through the financial plan.Approved the creation of a Basic Health Program within the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority in order to maintain health care coverage for the approximately 25,500 residents who will no longer be eligible for Medicaid due to eligibility changes.
Partially restored $1.3 million in recurring funding for critical HIV prevention and surveillance grants, previously funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including a $150,000 transfer from the Committee on Executive Administration and Labor.
Increased access to HIV, STI, and tuberculosis testing and treatment by allocating $410,681 in recurring funding to DC Health for the DC Health and Wellness Center to expand hours to one evening per week and two Saturdays per month.
Expanded the role of the Office of the Health Care Ombudsman and Bill of Rights to include other public benefits, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, by adding an additional 2 FTEs within Department of Health Care Finance.
The federal policy change on immunizations highlighted a need to ensure that District residents have access to safe and effective immunizations, and I therefore introduced the Community Health Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 to protect District residents, visitors, and workers by making sure pharmacists can continue to order and administer, and pharmacy technicians can administer, without a prescription, the immunizations needed to protect the public health of District of Columbia. The Council passed the permanent version of this bill in December.
I introduced the Prenatal and Postpartum Remote Patient Monitoring Clarification Amendment Act of 2025 to aid in improving health outcomes for mothers and families in the District by clarifying that the Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) shall cover and reimburse for remote patient monitoring, specifically through ensuring coverage for remote monitoring of blood pressure and blood glucose levels during pregnancy and up to 12 months postpartum. The Committee on Health held a hearing on this bill in December.
To help mitigate the burden of medical debt on District families, I introduced the Medical Debt Mitigation Amendment Act of 2025 which would alleviate the burden of unpaid medical bills on District families while increasing transparency in medical billing and ensuring fair debt collection. The Committee on Health held a hearing on this bill in December.
Introduced the Personal Health Data Security Amendment Act of 2025 which would establish privacy protections for the personal health data of District residents by establishing clear rules for transparency, consent, and accountability.
Councilmember Henderson introduces “The District Budget” series, aimed at combating confusion and misinformation surrounding the District's budget due to Congress’ 1 billion dollar cut in DC’s spending for the fiscal year.
Strengthening the Health Care Workforce
Funded the “Certified Nurse Aide Workforce Support Amendment Act of 2025” included in the Budget Support Act by providing $150,000 to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education to partner with a local university to train at least 25 District high school students to become certified nurse aides (CNAs) through a transfer to the Committee of the Whole.
Created a Long-Term Care Strategic Coordinator role in the office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services in order to support seniors and other District residents who use long-term care services in the District.
Introduced the Streamlining Medicaid Credentialing Amendment Act of 2025 to create a centralized and standardized credentialing system for Medicaid providers in the District, significantly easing the burden on qualified healthcare providers and allowing them to deliver care to patients and be compensated for that care more quickly.
Promoting Student Health and Achievement
Approved an extension of the Sexual Health Peer Educators Grant at $150,000 to provide training and stipends to high school students to serve as student health educators, teaching their fellow students about pregnancy prevention, consent, STIs, and other related topics.
Required DBH to award grants for the operation of the SBBH Program at a rate of no less than $120,000 per clinician and mandated that the agency submit a comprehensive improvement plan to the Council and Mayor by October 15, 2025, outlining its strategy to strengthen and transform the program.
Improving Access to Critical Health Care Infrastructure
Restored $907,000 for the Court Urgent Care Clinic located within the Superior Court of the District of Columbia Moultrie Courthouse.
Approved the rightsizing of the DC Health contract to provide critical animal rescue and animal control services, for a total of $8.3 million.
I introduced the Social Determinants of Health Spending Amendment Act of 2025, which would allow private insurers and Medicaid managed care organizations to include expenditures for certain social determinants of health services in their medical loss ratio.
Named in honor of disability rights pioneer Judith Heumann, the Judith Heumann Memorial Workers with Disabilities Act of 2025 which I recently introduced would strengthen opportunities for people with disabilities to thrive in our community by establishing the District Workers with Disabilities Program, a Medicaid Buy-In program that allows District residents with disabilities to maintain health coverage while earning income above Medicaid’s traditional limits as long as they pay affordable monthly premiums. The Committee on Health held a hearing on this bill in December.
Councilmember Henderson celebrates WORLD PRIDE DC, marking 50 years of PRIDE in the District.
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