District Of Columbia

As introduced, Bill 26-409 would require the Child and Family Services Agency to inform, at the initiation of an investigation, caretakers of any legal resources available to the caretaker, the availability of the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children as a resource for complaints, and their right to counsel during critical stages of neglect proceedings.

As introduced, Bill 26-594 would require OCP to create a consolidated procurement portal that combines the District’s multiple existing portals into a unified system. Among other things, it would transfer the Office of the Ombudsman of Contracting and Procurement to the Office of the City Administrator and expand the scope of its responsibilities including enforcement authority. It would also establish a pay-for-performance program.

As introduced, Bill 26-621 would permit the submission of contracts and contract modifications during Council recess. It would specify the manner in which certain contracts are reviewed and approved by the Council and who may provide legal sufficiency certifications to the Council. Among other things, it would authorize the Chief Procurement Officer to use any source selection method to acquire goods and services that is not prohibited by law. It would eliminate the requirement that a determination and findings be issued prior to conducting a procurement by competitive sealed proposal.

As introduced, Bill 26-479 would establish a grant program within the Child and Family Services Agency to support the creation and operation of Youth Villages across the District of Columbia. It would also provide grant funding to nonprofit organizations to develop neighborhood-based, intergenerational networks to provide daily supports to youth up to age 25.

As introduced, Bill 26-71 would prohibit a parent from transferring custody of a child to someone beyond family members and certain other specified categories of individuals, if the parent intends to abandon the parent’s responsibilities regarding the child. The act gives authority to the state child protection agency (the Child and Family Services Agency) and the Attorney General for the District of Columbia to investigate and enforce violations.

As introduced, Bill 26-490 would prohibit the District of Columbia Public Library from entering into or renewing licensing agreements with publishers of electronic literary materials that restrict District residents’ access to books.

As introduced, Bill 26-534 would symbolically designate the 2500 block of Champlain Street, N.W., in Ward 1, as Charlie McCormick Way.

As introduced, Bill 26-308 would symbolically designate 13th Street NW, between Upshur Street, NW, and Allison Street, N.W. in Ward 4, as The Jewels Way.

As introduced, Bill 26-371 would close a portion of a public alley at 5931 Utah Avenue, NW and establish a restriction line in Square 2319, S.O. 22-02364.

As introduced, Bill 26-136 would require that the Board of Elections hold a special election to fill a vacancy in the office of Delegate within 49 days after the declaration by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of extraordinary circumstances, which is defined as more than 100 vacancies in the House of Representatives.

As introduced, Bill 26-365 would symbolically designate 3rd Street, SW, between I Street, SW and M Street, SW, as Lenora Baker Way.

As introduced, Bill 26-226 would establish a program in the Department of Behavioral Health for place-based substance use disorder outreach. FISCAL NOTE - This bill is passed Subject to Appropriations. Please see Fiscal Impact Statement for more information.

As introduced, Bill 26-227 would direct the Construction Codes Coordinating Board to promulgate rules to allow for residential buildings of a certain height be served by a single entrance/egress under certain conditions. FISCAL NOTE - This bill is passed Subject to Appropriations. Please see the Fiscal Impact Statement for more information.

BIILL SUMMARY - As introduced, Bill 26-396 would amend the District’s deed transfer and recordation tax laws to allow transferors and transferees to appeal the fair market value used for calculation of the transfer and recordation taxes.