Council Youth Affairs

This bill (B 26-0399, SOUL Amendment Act of 2025) creates a new legal pathway for District of Columbia youth aged 16+ transitioning from foster care to adulthood. It allows youth to form a "Support Family" legal relationship with caring adults (caregivers/supporters) while maintaining existing family ties, without terminating birth parent rights. To establish this, youth must request it through court (via motion, affidavit, or legal counsel), and the court must approve it unless it’s deemed not in their best interest. The law outlines specific procedures for filing motions, creating support family agreements, and court oversight, with requirements for youth consent and court documentation. This directly affects foster youth in DC’s child welfare system aged 16+ who are in the care of the Agency.

This bill (B 26-0407, "Strengthening Capacity and Transparency at DYRS Amendment Act of 2025") requires the District of Columbia's Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) to publicly report detailed population data about youth at the Youth Services Center and New Beginnings Youth Development Center. Key provisions include publishing daily counts by race/age/status, average stay lengths, admission patterns, confinement incidents, and recidivism metrics (measuring reoffending rates within three years of release). It also mandates the Mayor to submit a one-year plan within 120 days to reduce the Youth Services Center population to a maximum of 90 youth and prevent future overcrowding. The bill directly affects DYRS operations, youth in custody, and the public through increased transparency about facility conditions and outcomes.

This bill requires the District of Columbia's Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) to provide comprehensive pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care to pregnant youth in its facilities. It mandates pregnancy testing upon admission, confidential healthcare within three weeks of birth (with follow-up care), counseling on family planning and mental health, and free medical supplies like breast pumps and postpartum dietary support. The law also requires DYRS to develop written policies within 60 days of enactment to implement these standards. The bill directly affects pregnant youth in DYRS custody, ensuring they receive timely, culturally responsive healthcare without cost.

This bill requires the District of Columbia's Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) to maintain an electronic log documenting all attempts to contact a child's parent, guardian, or custodian before a predisposition meeting. DYRS must also make recurring efforts every six months to inform these individuals about the child's progress on their individualized rehabilitation plan. The electronic log must be shared with the Council committee overseeing DYRS upon request. This directly affects DYRS operations, parents/guardians of youth in care, and the Council's oversight process.

This bill requires the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) to inform parents or guardians at the start of a child welfare investigation about three specific resources: legal assistance options, the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children (for filing complaints), and their right to legal counsel during key parts of the process. It directly affects parents or caregivers whose children are under investigation by CFSA. The key change is mandating written notification and verbal explanation during the initial interview, ensuring families understand available support and rights. This amendment updates the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Act to improve transparency in investigations. The bill does not alter investigation procedures or standards, only requiring CFSA to provide these specific informational resources upfront.