For the purposes of this subchapter, the term:
(1) "Youth" means an individual who is at least 13 years of age and no older than 22 years of age.
(2) "Youth Council" means the Youth Council of the District of Columbia, established in § 2-1565.02.
(Oct. 22, 2008, D.C. Law 17-251, § 2, 55 DCR 9247.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
Law 17-251, the "Youth Council of the District of Columbia Establishment Act of 2008", was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 17-582 which was referred to the Committee on the Whole. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on July 1, 2008, and July 15, 2008, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on August 4, 2008, it was assigned Act No. 17-498 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 17-251 became effective on October 22, 2008.
(a) There is established the Youth Council of the District of Columbia.
(b) The Youth Council members shall advise the Council of the District of Columbia ("Council") by:
(1) Commenting upon legislation and policies that impact on youth;
(2) Presenting issues and recommendations to improve the lives of youth;
(3) Monitoring the programs and policies that affect youth to ensure that they are achieving the intended results; and
(4) Working with other youth organizations in the District to:
(A) Provide mutual support;
(B) Collaborate on shared issues and interests;
(C) Advise one another on ways to increase the effectiveness of their organizations;
(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.
(c) The Youth Council shall conduct periodic seminars for members regarding leadership, government, and the Council.
(d)(1) The Youth Council shall:
(A) Set its own priorities;
(B) Determine the function of its subcommittees;
(C) Establish standards of conduct;
(D) Establish ministerial procedures; and
(E) Determine its needs for the convening of meetings.
(2) Youth Council members shall review and consider the procedures and rules of the Council, as they may be appropriate for the Youth Council.
(e) Beginning one year after its first meeting and every year thereafter, the Youth Council shall publish a report of its activities, recommendations, and accomplishments, which shall be:
(1) Distributed to the Council;
(2) Placed on the Internet;
(3) Distributed to each public library, and the library of each public and public charter school; and
(4) Made available to the public upon request.
(f) The Youth Council shall meet at least 4 times a year, including at least one public hearing on issues of importance to youth.
(Oct. 22, 2008, D.C. Law 17-251, § 3, 55 DCR 9247.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 17-251, see notes following § 2-1565.01.
(a) The Youth Council shall be comprised of 13 members. Each of the 8 ward members of the Council shall select a member from among the applicants to represent his or her respective ward. The Chairman and each of the 4 at-large members of the Council shall select a member from among the applicants to serve as one of the 5 at-large members of the Youth Council.
(b) The Chairman of the Council shall appoint a committee to create an application process, which shall include an application form, the requirements for recommendations, deadlines, and any other information that will assist youths to state their interest in serving on the Youth Council.
(c) A Youth Council member shall:
(1) Be a District resident for at least one year, excluding time residing in a college dormitory, prior to his or her application to serve on the Youth Council;
(2) Be a college student who has been a District resident living outside a college dormitory for at least one year prior to his or her application to serve on the Youth Council;
(3) Have a sincere interest in, and motivation to work for, the community;
(4) Have a background of community-based activity;
(5) Have a general knowledge of the activities and needs in the sector of the community that he or she will represent;
(6) Have an ability to bring creative perspectives about youth issues and concerns;
(7) Have the ability to work patiently and constructively in a group setting;
(8) Be responsible and able to fulfill commitments; and
(9) Have an interest in the development of leadership skills.
(d) Members shall serve for a term of 2 years. A member may be reappointed, but may not serve more than 2 full terms.
(e) A chairman shall be selected by the Youth Council members.
(f) Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the initial appointment. A member appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(g) Members of the Youth Council shall serve without compensation.
(Oct. 22, 2008, D.C. Law 17-251, § 4, 55 DCR 9247.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 17-251, see notes following § 2-1565.01.
(a) One adult person shall be hired as a full-time youth planner, and youth may be hired to work part-time, as needed.
(b) The Council shall provide staff assistance to the Youth Council from within its existing budgeted resources or from grants received by the Council for this purpose. Staff assigned by the Council to the Youth Council shall assist with the drafting of all legislation submitted to the Council by the Youth Council. Youth Council staff may be curtailed during periods when the Council is in regular or special session.
(Oct. 22, 2008, D.C. Law 17-251, § 5, 55 DCR 9247.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 17-251, see notes following § 2-1565.01.
Local Education Agencies may seek the cooperation of the Council on the integration of Youth Council experience into relevant District of Columbia learning standards and toward meeting graduation requirements.
(Oct. 22, 2008, D.C. Law 17-251, § 6, 55 DCR 9247.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 17-251, see notes following § 2-1565.01.
(a) Gifts, grants, and donations from private or public sources may be used to fund the costs of the Youth Council. Contributions to support the work of the Youth Council may not be accepted from any party having a pecuniary or other vested interest in the outcome of the matters being studied by the Youth Council or who would in any way compromise the work of the Youth Council.
(b) A person, other than a District of Columbia agency, desiring to make a financial or in-kind contribution must certify to the Council, or its designee, in the manner prescribed by the Council, that the person has no pecuniary or other vested interest in the outcome of the work of the Youth Council. All contributions are subject to approval by the Council, or its designee.
(c) The Secretary to the Council shall administer any funds received by the Youth Council. Prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall notify the Youth Planner and Chair of the Youth Council of the status of funding.
(Oct. 22, 2008, D.C. Law 17-251, § 7, 55 DCR 9247; Sept. 26, 2012, D.C. Law 19-171, § 24, 59 DCR 6190.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 19-171, in subsec. (a), deleted par. (1) designation and redesignated pars. (2) and (3) as subsecs. (b) and (c).
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 17-251, see notes following § 2-1565.01.
For history of Law 19-171, see notes under § 2-218.13.
