Chapter 23. Panhandling.

§ 22–2301. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the term:

(1) “Aggressive manner” means:

(A) Approaching, speaking to, or following a person in a manner as would cause a reasonable person to fear bodily harm or the commission of a criminal act upon the person, or upon property in the person’s immediate possession;

(B) Touching another person without that person’s consent in the course of asking for alms;

(D) Intentionally blocking or interfering with the safe or free passage of a person by any means, including unreasonably causing a person to take evasive action to avoid physical contact.

(2) “Ask, beg, or solicit alms” includes the spoken, written, or printed word or such other act conducted for the purpose of obtaining an immediate donation of money or thing of value.

§ 22–2302. Prohibited acts.

(a) No person may ask, beg, or solicit alms, including money and other things of value, in an aggressive manner in any place open to the general public, including sidewalks, streets, alleys, driveways, parking lots, parks, plazas, buildings, doorways and entrances to buildings, and gasoline service stations, and the grounds enclosing buildings.

(b) No person may ask, beg, or solicit alms in any public transportation vehicle; or at any bus, train, or subway station or stop.

(d) No person may ask, beg, or solicit alms from any operator or occupant of a motor vehicle that is in traffic on a public street.

(e) No person may ask, beg, or solicit alms from any operator or occupant of a motor vehicle on a public street in exchange for blocking, occupying, or reserving a public parking space, or directing the operator or occupant to a public parking space.

(f) No person may ask, beg, or solicit alms in exchange for cleaning motor vehicle windows while the vehicle is in traffic on a public street.

(g) No person may ask, beg, or solicit alms in exchange for protecting, watching, washing, cleaning, repairing, or painting a motor vehicle or bicycle while it is parked on a public street.

(h) No person may ask, beg, or solicit alms on private property or residential property, without permission from the owner or occupant.

§ 22–2303. Permitted activity.

Acts authorized as an exercise of a person’s constitutional right to picket, protest, or speak, and acts authorized by a permit issued by the District of Columbia government shall not constitute unlawful activity under this chapter.

§ 22–2304. Penalties.

(a) Any person convicted of violating any provision of § 22-2302 shall be fined not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01 or be imprisoned not more than 90 days or both.

(b) In lieu of or in addition to the penalty provided in subsection (a) of this section, a person convicted of violating any provision of § 22-2302 may be required to perform community service as provided in § 16-712.

(Nov. 17, 1993, D.C. Law 10-54, § 5, 40 DCR 5450; June 11, 2013, D.C. Law 19-317, § 225, 60 DCR 2064.)

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 22-3314.

Effect of Amendments

The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-317 substituted “not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01” for “not more than $300” in (a).

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 225 of the Criminal Fine Proportionality Emergency Act of 2013 (D.C. Act 20-45, April 1, 2013, 60 DCR 5400, 20 DCSTAT 1300).

Editor's Notes

Applicability of D.C. Law 19-317: Section 401 of D.C. Law 19-317 provided that the act shall apply only to offenses committed on or after June 11, 2013.

§ 22–2305. Conduct of prosecutions.

Prosecutions for violations of this chapter shall be conducted in the name of the District of Columbia by the Corporation Counsel.

§ 22–2306. Disclosure.

Any arrest or conviction under this chapter shall be disclosed to public and private social service agencies that request the Metropolitan Police Department or the court to be notified of such events.