Council approves juvenile curfew amendment after hours of debate and amendments

The Council voted to approve the June Now Curfew Amendment Act of 2026, following extensive debate and the adoption of multiple amendments intended to limit harm to young people and require evaluation. Sponsor Councilmember Pinto said the measure provides a narrowly targeted tool to keep young people safe while pairing enforcement with programming and notice: "We must ensure that our kids are engaged in positive activities to support their development, and also work to prevent dangerous situations to protect our kids and to protect our community." (Councilmember Pinto)

Opponents urged caution, arguing curfews criminalize adolescents and urged investment in youth services instead. Councilmember Tran White stated, "Curfews is not a solution. They are reaction. The research is consistent. Curfew laws do not reduce crime. What they do is criminalize adolescents." (Councilmember Tran White) The council adopted Councilmember Nadeau's sunset amendment to expire the act on December 31, 2028, and later accepted a harm‑reduction amendment that restricts taking youth charged only with curfew violations to carceral settings and prioritizes transporting them to home, youth programming, or a 24‑hour drop‑in center when appropriate. Several members also proposed and debated measures to expand parks and recreation hours and youth programming; Councilmember Parker moved an amendment to extend DPR center hours but later withdrew it after discussion about funding and committee processes.

The final vote recorded the bill as approved as amended. Council members emphasized the measure is limited in geography and duration and that the council intends to pair enforcement authority with investments and oversight to evaluate the law's effect by the sunset date.