Legislation

Current D.C. law allows a minor over the age of 12 who is deemed capable of providing informed consent by a doctor to access various medical procedures and care, subject to medical best practices and professional standards, including contraceptive services, mental health care, prenatal care, and abortions, without parental consent. However, the law is unclear as to whether parental consent may be required to actually schedule such appointments, or secure records that would inform a provider’s decision-making. Allowing youth who are 16 years of age and older to also schedule their appointments or request medical records will further improve health outcomes for young residents in the District and complement existing minor consent laws. This bill will also allow providers who administer medical appointments to seek reimbursement directly from the insurer without parental consent.

Under federal law, parents usually control access to a child’s education records until they reach age 18, but students may also be granted such rights. The SMART Act would do just that, allowing minors that are sixteen years of age or older to request and receive their education records. This includes grades, class schedules, assessments, scores, transcripts, and academic standings. If available, a local education agency must provide records with a gender mark that matches the minor’s gender identity. LEAs would have 15 days to comply and honor the request.

To amend, on an emergency basis, the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula for Public Schools 30 and Public Charter Schools Act of 1998 to require school-level funding for all District of 31 Columbia Public Schools in School Year 2021-2022 be in amounts equal to or greater 32 than those provided in School Year 2020-2021.

Bill 24-0180 will simplify and expand the current record sealing and expungement system in Washington DC. This legislation advances DC’s commitment to reduce barriers to employment and housing for those who have been arrested but not convicted, convicted of a crime that has been decriminalized, or who have served their time and are returning home.

Bill 24-0170 will enhance protections for student loan borrowers in the District. Far too many District residents are consumed by student loan debt, and the burden of this debt weighs heaviest on minority communities. As we work to create a more equitable recovery for all DC residents, the student loan crisis must be addressed.

Bill 24-64 prohibits an employer from seeking the wage history of a prospective employee or screening prospective employees based on wage history.

Bill 24-66 creates an Office of Safe Passage, reporting to the Mayor, tasked with coordinating safe passage efforts across agencies developing city-wide and ward specific strategies for student safety, administering grants to community-based organizations implementing safe passage plans and hiring personnel to monitor routes in high-priority areas. It also calls for increased use of shuttles for student transportation to Metro stations in problemed areas.

Bill 24-65 establishes an Interagency Council on Behavioral Health to establish interagency, cabinet-level leadership to develop a behavioral health system of care, that includes prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support services related to mental health disorders, addictions, and other substance abuse. The City Administrator or their designee shall serve as chairperson.

Bill 24-26 establishes a pilot program for Medicaid reimbursement of doula services, which includes emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. Among other things, It also requires the Department of Health to conduct a study of the feasibility of establishing a birthing center east of the river.