Councilmember Zachary Parker

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Maddy summaryThis 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).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Washington, D.C.'s child neglect definitions to clarify that homelessness or lack of stable housing cannot be used as sole evidence of neglect, and that a parent's eligibility for public benefits cannot be used as sole evidence of parental failure unrelated to financial need. It updates the statutory definition of "neglected child" in Title 16 to explicitly exclude financial hardship as the sole factor for neglect determinations. The bill also specifies that child welfare agencies (the Child and Family Services Agency) must consider financial circumstances when assessing neglect, requiring reasonable efforts to address financial barriers. These changes directly affect parents, guardians, and child welfare cases in D.C., ensuring neglect determinations focus on specific child safety risks rather than socioeconomic status alone.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Child Fatality Review Committee Establishment Act of 2001 to update the reference from "human services" to "child and family services" in the law. The change ensures the committee composition correctly identifies Council members with oversight over the Child and Family Services Agency, aligning the statute with current agency terminology. It is a technical correction without altering the committee's membership structure or substantive requirements.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution formally recognizes the history and significance of DC Black Pride, specifically honoring the upcoming 35th annual celebration scheduled for May 22-25, 2026. The bill highlights how the event originated in 1991 as a fundraiser for HIV/AIDS organizations and has since grown into one of the world's largest Black Pride festivals, influencing similar events globally. By citing the resolution's title, the Council acknowledges the contributions of organizers and participants who use the event to promote health awareness, combat discrimination, and celebrate the intersection of African American and LGBTQIA+ identities.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the District of Columbia's tax code to designate specific property in the Reservoir District as affordable housing, thereby granting it a tax exemption. The key provision requires that one-third of the rental units be set aside for households earning at or below 80% of the area's Fair Market Rent, as defined by federal guidelines. This change is intended to provide immediate tax relief to the property while ensuring a portion of the housing remains accessible to lower-income residents. The legislation is structured as an emergency measure that will take effect only after approval by the Mayor or a Council veto override and will expire within 90 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows residents of Washington, D.C. with nonapparent disabilities - such as developmental, intellectual, or immunodeficiency conditions - to voluntarily mark their driver's licenses or ID cards with a butterfly symbol to indicate their condition. It requires the District Department of Transportation to add this notation without charging extra fees and prohibits the department from sharing this information except in specific circumstances. The legislation also mandates that the Metropolitan Police Department train officers on how to interact appropriately with individuals who have hidden disabilities. By amending the District of Columbia Traffic Act, the bill aims to improve accessibility and dignity for approximately 77,000 residents with disabilities in the city.