B 26-0398 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Increasing Support for Grandparent and Close Relative Caregivers Amendment Act of 2025

This bill amends two existing District of Columbia laws to provide increased financial support for grandparent and close relative caregivers. It extends subsidy payments for these caregivers until the child reaches age 21 (previously ending at age 18) and establishes a minimum subsidy amount of $27.92 in fiscal year 2027, with annual inflation adjustments. The changes directly affect caregivers raising children in the District, ensuring continued financial assistance through the child's early adulthood. The bill modifies specific provisions of the Grandparent Caregivers Pilot Programs Establishment Act (2005) and the Close Relative Caregiver Subsidy Pilot Program Act (2019).
Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2026
Council Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Oct 6, 2025 Signed Jun 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossment → Enrollment · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was finalized as an enrolled act, changing the title year from 2025 to 2026 and adding a formal signature block. The core policy changes remain: the subsidy minimum is set at $38.00 for Fiscal Year 2027 with annual inflation adjustments, and the 60-month limit on assistance is removed. A technical correction was made to the Close Relative Caregiver section to repeal a subsection that was previously stricken.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on increasing financial support for grandparent and close relative caregivers, with no changes to who is eligible or the general applicability of the law.
TIMELINE

The citation year in the act's title was updated from 2025 to 2026 to reflect its final enrollment.

TECHNICAL

A formal signature block for the Council Chairman and Mayor was added, indicating the bill has passed all legislative stages.

A specific subsection regarding close relative caregivers was repealed to clean up the text after a previous amendment.

REQUIREMENT

The 60-month time limit on receiving subsidies was removed from both the grandparent and close relative caregiver programs.

FISCAL

The subsidy minimum is established at $38.00 for Fiscal Year 2027, with automatic annual adjustments for inflation.

Floor votes · Council Mar 31, 2026

How they voted

13–0
Passed
Total votes 13
Mar 31, 2026
D Democratic11
11 Yea
100% Yea
I Independent2
2 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
1
Mar 31, 2026
Council · Passed
Council Vote: pass (13-0)
council
Mar 3, 2026
Introduced
AMENDMENT (CM Parker)
legislature
Jan 27, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Committee Mark-up of B26-0398 by the Youth Affairs Committee
legislature
Oct 7, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on Youth Affairs
legislature
Oct 6, 2025
Introduced
B26-0398 Introduced by Councilmember Parker at Office of the Secretary
legislature
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Zachary Parker
Zachary Parker
DDemocratic
DC
Ward 5