District of Columbia Youth Advisory Council Act of 2001
Bill 14-255

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A BILL IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

To establish the District of Columbia Youth Advisory Council to provide an organized youth perspective on various issues to the Mayor, the Council of the District of Columbia, D.C. Public Schools, public charter schools, other key decision makers in the District government, and other adult leaders in the District.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,  that this act may be cited as the "District of Columbia Youth Advisory Council Act of 2001".

Sec. 2. Definitions.

For the purposes of this act, the term:

(1) "Youth" means an individual who is at least 13 years of age and no older than 22 years of age.

(2) "Council" means the District of Columbia Youth Advisory Council.

Sec. 3. Establishment and purpose.

(a) There is established, as part of the District of Columbia government, a Youth Advisory Council.

(b) The Council shall advise the Mayor, the Council of the District of Columbia, D.C. Public Schools, public charter schools, other key decision makers in the District government, and other adult leaders in the District by:

(1) Commenting upon legislation and policies that impact on youth;

(2) Presenting methods to resolve youth-related conflicts between youth, and between youth and adults;

(3) Presenting issues and recommendations to improve the lives of youth;

(4) Monitoring the programs and policies that affect youth to ensure that they are achieving the intended results; and youth organizations for each ward of the District;

(5) Working with other youth organizations in the District to:

(A) Provide mutual support;

(B) Collaborate on shared issues and interest;

(C) Advise one another on ways to increase their effectiveness;

(D) Assist in the start-up of new youth organizations including youth organizations for each ward of the District;

(E) Prepare youth for leadership positions by providing appropriate training; and

(F) Create more youth and adult partnerships.

Sec. 4. Composition of the Council.

(a) The Council shall be composed of 32 youth members from various geographic sectors of the District, and shall include members who represent youth with special needs, as follows:

(1) 3 members from each of the 8 wards in the District totaling 24;

(2) 4 members who are presently under an order of commitment to the District's juvenile justice system, at least 1 of which presently resides in a group home; and

(3) 4 members who are presently in the District's foster care system, at least 1 of which presently resides in a group home.

(b) The membership shall reflect a broad range of diversity encompassing, but not limited to, relevant differences such as ethnicity, location of residency within the District, religion, and gender.

(c) Members shall have been a District resident for at least 1 year (not including time residing in a college dormitory) prior to their application to serve on the Council. College students are eligible to apply to participate on the Council, if they have been a District resident, living outside a college dormitory, for at least 1 prior to their application to serve on the Council.

(d) Youth applying to participate on the Council shall meet the following criteria:

(1) Have a sincere interest in, and motivation to work for, the community;

(2) Have a background of community-based activity;

(3) Have a general knowledge of activities and needs in the sector of the community which they are selected to represent;

(4) Have an ability to bring creative perspectives about youth issues and concerns;

(5) Have the ability to work patiently and constructively in a group setting;

(6) Be responsible and able to fulfill commitments; and

(7) Have an interest in the development of leadership skills.

Sec. 5. Organizational structure.

(a) Within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this act, the Mayor shall prepare a Mayor's Order which shall state:

(1) The manner in which members will be selected for the Council;

(2) The manner in which officers will be selected for the Council;

(3) The organizational structure of the Council including, but not limited to, appropriate membership terms, standing committees or task forces, rules and bylaws, records management, staff support, the conduct of meetings, the number and purpose of adult leaders, requirements for a quorum, requirements for chairing or participating on committees or task forces, requirements for maintenance of membership, and requirements for attendance at meetings.

(b) Beginning one year after its first meeting and every year thereafter, the Council shall publish a report of its activities, recommendations, and accomplishments. The report shall be distributed to the Mayor, the Council of the District of Columbia, D.C. Public Schools, public charter schools, and other key District leadership. In addition, copies of the report shall be placed on the internet, in each public library, the library of each public and public charter school, and shall be made available upon request to the general public.

(c) Members of the Council shall serve without compensation, except that 21 members may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the authorized execution of official Council duties. The Mayor and his/her designee shall provide administrative support to the Council and may accept resources provided from public or private organizations for the benefit of the Council.

Sec. 6. Fiscal impact statement.

The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact statement required by § 602 (c) (3) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code §1-233 (c) (3)).

Sec. 7. This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto) and approval by the Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority as provided in §203(a) of the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995, approved April 17, 1995 (109 Stat. 116; D.C. Code §47-392.3 (a)), a 30-day period of Congressional review as provided in §602 (c) (1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code §1-233 (c)(1), and publication in the District of Columbia Register.