Councilmember Trayon White

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services to implement stronger security measures to protect staff identification badges and mandates that youth under 18 face elevated identity theft charges if they steal these badges. Under the new rules, the department must report any theft incidents to law enforcement, maintain records of such offenses, and provide training to both staff and residents on safeguarding personal information. Additionally, the Metropolitan Police Department will keep track of these cases and regularly update the department on investigation outcomes.

Maddy summaryThe Youth Peer Mediation Act of 2024 requires the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation to create a program where trained youth mediate conflicts among their peers within the Roving Leaders initiative. Under this bill, selected Roving Leaders and other youth will receive comprehensive training in conflict resolution and communication, and they will be paid a stipend for their work as mediators. The Department must also provide annual reports to the Council detailing the training curriculum and data on how the program is used and received by participants.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Deputy Ombudsman position within the Office of the Ombudsman for Children to specifically oversee the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services in Washington, D.C. The role is designed to investigate complaints, advocate for the rights of youth and their families, and monitor the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs. The Deputy Ombudsman will have full access to department records and facilities to ensure transparency and will report findings to city officials and oversight committees. Candidates for this role must have expertise in youth services or criminal justice and will be appointed by the existing Ombudsman for Children.

Maddy summaryThe Senior Programming Protection Act of 2024 requires the Mayor of the District of Columbia to submit an evaluation to the Council before the Department of Parks and Recreation closes, discontinues, or relocates any programs or services for senior citizens. This evaluation must include an analysis of transportation options and pedestrian safety for participants, an assessment of potential impacts on federally derived funding, and a plan to increase participation in the affected services. The bill directly affects the Department of Parks and Recreation by adding a mandatory review step to ensure that changes to senior programming are carefully planned and that residents have access to comparable resources.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution honors Tatum Galberth, a six-year-old motivational speaker and singer from Ward 8, for her positive influence and achievements. The bill formally recognizes her dedication to sharing uplifting messages with audiences worldwide through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, as well as appearances on major television outlets. It officially names the measure the "Tatum Galberth Recognition Resolution of 2024" and directs the Council to acknowledge her accomplishments as a young public figure.

Maddy summaryThe Senior SNAP Enhancement Act of 2024 aims to reduce food insecurity among older adults in Washington, D.C., by providing extra SNAP benefits to eligible seniors. Starting in October 2025, the bill would give additional monthly assistance to senior SNAP recipients whose total benefits are less than 15% of the maximum federal amount. The extra funding is calculated as the difference between the maximum federal allotment plus 30% and the recipient's current total, rounded up to the nearest dollar. This change is funded locally and applies only to senior participants in the District of Columbia. The legislation requires approval by the Mayor and a period of Congressional review before it takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the District of Columbia's Office of the State Superintendent of Education to create a new curriculum for high schools that highlights the historical contributions of various religious groups, including Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists. The law mandates that this course be developed in consultation with educational and religious leaders and must be approved by August 2025 to count as one of the four required units for graduation. Once implemented, the curriculum will be taught in public and charter secondary schools starting in the fall of 2025, ensuring that students learn about how these faith communities have shaped American history.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution honors Westia Russell, a nine-year-old student-athlete from Ward 8, for her achievements in boxing. The bill formally recognizes her qualification to compete in the 2024 National Junior Olympics in Wichita, Kansas, and acknowledges her involvement in other activities like skating and arts. It does not create new laws or funding but serves to publicly celebrate her dedication as a young athlete.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation to create a chess club and tournament program for students in Ward 8 in partnership with the District of Columbia Public Schools. The program is designed to foster critical thinking and strategic skills by providing at least one site, funding for materials and training, and safety measures for participants. Both agencies will work together to set membership criteria, consult with local youth chess organizers, and promote the program to interested students. The legislation requires approval by the Mayor and publication in the District Register before it becomes effective.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a subsidy program to help low-income seniors in the District of Columbia pay for storage facility fees. The program will be managed by a partnership between the mayor and the District Administration Council for Low-Income Seniors, using funds from government budgets, grants, or donations. To qualify, seniors must be considered low-income and currently spend more than 35% of their income on housing. The administering agency must also provide quarterly reports to the District Council on how the program is operating and spending money.