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ENROLLED ORIGINAL
AN ACT.
D.C. ACT 26-346
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
JUNE 24, 2026
To amend Chapter23of Title 16 oftheDistrictofColumbia OfficialCode toestablishan
additionalpermanencypathwaythatincludesacircleofcaringadultswhoprovide
supportandlegalrelationshipsforyoungpeopleaged16andolderastheytransitionfromfostercaretoadulthood;andtoamend thePreventionofChildAbuse andNeglectActof
1977 toauthorizetheChildand Family ServicesAgency toconductbackground checks
ofadultsinthenew permanencypathways.
BE ITENACTEDBY THE COUNCILOFTHE DISTRICTOF COLUMBIA,Thatthisactmaybecitedasthe“Support,Opportunity,Unity,LegalRelationships(SOUL)AmendmentActof2026”.
Sec.2.Chapter23ofTitle16oftheDistrictofColumbiaCodeisamendedasfollows:(a)Thetableofcontentsisamendedbyaddinganewsubchapterdesignationtoreadasfollows:
“SubchapterVIL.Support,Opportunity,Unity,LegalRelationships.“16-2399.21.Definitions.
“16-2399.22,SelectingSOULasapermanencyplan.“16-2399.23.MotiontoestablishaSOULFamily.“16-2399.24,Allocationofrightsandresponsibilities.‘16-2399.25,SOULFamilyagreement.
“16-2399.26.PartiestoaSOULFamilyproceeding.“16-2399.27.Notice.16-2399.28.Conductofhearings.16-2399.29,Adjudicatoryhearings.16-2399.30,EffectofaSOULFamilyorder.16-2399.31.Jurisdiction.
‘[6-2399.32,SOULFamilyorder— finality,appeals,transcripts.“16-2399.33.Confidentialityofrecords.“16-2399.34.Unlawfuldisclosure.
ENROLLED ORIGINAL,
“16-2399.35.ModificationofaSOULFamilyorder.“16-2399,36.Subsidy.“16-2399.37.Rules.”.(b)Section16-2323(c)isamendedasfollows:
(1)Paragraph(3)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“;or”andinsertingasemicoloninitsplace.
(2)Paragraph(4)isamendedbystrikingtheperiodandinsertingthephrase“;or”initsplace.
(3)A newparagraph(5)isaddedtoreadasfollows:
“(5)PlacedwithaSOULFamily,asthattermisdefinedin§16-2399.21.”.(©)AnewsubchapterVIIisaddedtoreadasfollows:“SubchapterVII.Support,Opportunity,Unity,LegalRelationships.“§16-2399.21.Definitions.“Forpurposesofthissubchapter,theterm:“(1)“Agency”meanstheChildandFamilyServicesAgency,establishedby§4-1303.0la,includingtheChildandFamilyServicesAgency'scontractedplacementandserviceproviders.
“(2)“Parentandchildrelationship”shallhavethesamemeaningasdefinedin§16-2352(a)(1).
“(3)“SOUL” means a permanency plan fora youth in the careand custodyofthe
AgencythatallowstheyouthtoestablishalegalrelationshipwithaSOULFamily,withoutterminatingexistingfamiliallegalrelationships,includingtheparentandchildrelationshipandsiblingrelationships.
“(4)“SOULCaregiver”meansanadultwhoisnottheyouth’sbirthparentandwhoiscommittedtoprovidinghousingfortheyouth,meetingthebasicneedsoftheyouth,andholdingrightsandtakingonresponsibilitiestocarefortheyouthasspecifiedintheSOULFamilyagreement.
“(5)“SOULFamily”meansalegalrelationshipbetweenayouth,aSOULCaregiver,andatleastoneotherSOULCaregiverorSOULSupporter.
“(6)“SOULFamilyForm”meansaformforselectingaSOULpermanencyplan,asspecifiedbytheFamilyCourt.“(7)“SOULSupporter”meansanadultwhoiscommittedtoholdingrightsandresponsibilitiestocarefortheyouthasspecifiedintheSOULFamilyagreement.“(8)“Youth”meansanindividualwho:
“(A)Is16yearsofageorolder,butlessthan21yearsofage;
“(B)Hasbeenadjudicatedtobeneglectedpursuantto§16-2317;and“(C)IsinthecareandcustodyoftheAgency.*§16-2399.22.SelectingSOULasapermanencyplan.
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“(a)UnlesstheFamilyCourtdeterminesthatchangingthepermanencyplanisnotinthe
bestinterestsof theyouth,theFamily Court,aftergivingallpartiestotheneglectcasethe
opportunitytobeheard,shallchangethepermanencyplantoSOULiftheyouthrequeststhatthe
FamilyCourtchangetheirpermanencyplantoSOUL by:
“(1)Appearingincourtandmakingtherequestontherecord;
(2)SubmittingaSOUL FamilyFormsignedbytheyouthandtheirguardianadlitemor statedinterestattorney;
“(3)Executinganaffidavitsignedbyboththeyouthandlegalcounselstatingtherequest;or
“(4)Filingamotiontochangethepermanencyplan.
“(b)IftheFamily Court determinesthatchangingthepermanency plantoSOUL isnot in
thebestinterestsofthe child,theFamily Court shallstateitsbasisinwriting.
Ҥ 16-2399.23.Motion toestablisha SOUL Family.
“(a)OnlyayouthmayinitiateaproceedingtoestablishaSOULFamilybythefilingofmotion toestablisha SOUL Family,withtheassistanceofa guardianad litemor statedinterest
attorneyasneeded.
“(b)IftheguardianadlitemdoesnotsupporttheSOUL Familyagreementasbeinginthebestinterestof theyouth,theFamily Courtshallappointastated interestattorneytoassistthe
youth withtheproceedingto establisha SOUL Family.The guardianad litemshallcontinueto
representthebestinterestoftheyouth.
“(c)A motion toestablisha SOUL Family shallinclude:
“(1)A descriptionoftheproposedSOUL Family,identifyingeachmemberofthe
SOUL Familybynameandrole;
“(2)A statementexplainingwhy theestablishmentof theproposedSOUL Family
isintheyouth’sbestinterest;
“(3)Writtenparentalconsents,ifany,totheproposedSOUL Family;and
“(4)A proposed SOUL Family agreementthatmeets therequirementsof this
subchapter.
“(d)A youthmayfileamotiontoestablishaSOUL Familyevenifa parent,theDistrict
government,ortheguardianadlitemobjectsorfailstosigntheSOUL Familyagreement.The
motion shallidentifyany such personor entitywho objectsor failstosigntheSOUL Family
agreement,
“(e)AnypersonorentitywhoobjectsorfailstosigntheSOUL Familyagreementmayfileapraecipeoroppositionalertingthecourttothepointsofdisagreement,thereasoning,andtheeffortstoresolvethedisagreement.
Ҥ 16.2399.24.Allocationof rightsand responsibilities.
“(a)UnlesstheFamilyCourtspecifiesotherwise,oneormoreSOUL Caregiversshall
maintainphysicalcustodyoftheyouthuntiltheyare18yearsofage.
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“(b)The SOUL Family shalldeterminetheallocationofthefollowinglegalcustody
rightsbetweenSOULCaregiversandSOULSupportersuntiltheyouthis18yearsofage:
“(1)Accesstoinformationrelatedtotheyouth'seducation;
“(2)The righttomake educationaldecisionswhen a decisionby a parentis
requiredbylaw,regulation,orpolicy;
“(3)Accesstoinformationrelatedtotheyouth’sphysicalormentalhealth;
*(4)Consenttohealthcarewhenconsentofa parentisrequiredbylaw,
regulation,orpolicy;
“(5)Authorizereleaseof informationwhen consentof a parentisrequiredby law,
regulation,orpolicy;
“(6)Makefinancialdecisionswhenadecisionbyaparentisrequiredbylaw,regulation,orpolicy;
“(7)Consent tosocialand schoolactivitiesof thechild;and
“(8)Consenttomilitaryenlistment.
“(c)Rightsnotspecifiedinsubsection(b)of thissectionthatarenot allocatedto a
memberoftheSOUL Familyshallremainwiththeyouth’sbirthparentsoranyothersuch
personwho heldtherightsatthetimetheyouth enteredintotheSOUL Family agreement,until
theyouth is18 yearsof age.
“(d)Notwithstandingsubsection(b)of thissection,theyouth shallretainallexisting
legalrightsor capacitytomake education,medical,or financialdecisionsforthemselvesunder
Districtlaw.
“(e)The SOUL Family shalldeterminetheallocationofthefollowingresponsibilities
concerningtheyouthamongsttheSOUL Famil
“(1)Housing;
“(2)Food,clothing,transportation,andmeetinganyotheroftheyouth’sbasic
needs: “(3)Supportfortheyouth’seducation;“(4)Supportfortheyouth’sphysicalandmentalhealthandwell-being;“(5)Guidanceandconsistentsupportthroughchallenges;and
“(6)Supportfortheyouth’sdevelopmentoffinancialmanagement,problem-solving,andindependentlivingskills.“()IfaSOULFamilyhasmorethanoneSOULCaregiver,aleadSOULCaregivershallbedesignated.Ifthereisadisagreementconcerningtheyouth’srightsandresponsibilitiesoranyotheraspectrelatedtotheyouth’scare,theleadSOULCaregivershallmakethefinaldecisioniftheyouthislessthan18yearsofage.“§16-2399.25.SOULFamilyagreement.“(a)TheprocessfordevelopingtheSOULFamilyagreementshallbeyouth-driven,withsupport,guidance,andstructurefromtheAgency.
“(b)TheSOULFamilyagreementshallinclude:
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ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“(1)TheallocationofrightsandresponsibilitiesamongtheSOULFamilyasdescribedin§16-2399.24;
“(2)DesignationofaleadSOULCaregiver,ifthereismorethanoneSOULCaregiver;
“(3)A statementthattheSOULCaregiver,orleadSOULCaregiverifthereismorethanoneSOULCaregiver,shallmakethefinaldecisionifmembersoftheSOULFamilyareindisagreementconcerningtherightsandresponsibilitieslistedin§16-2399.24,oranyotheraspectrelatedtothecareoftheyouthundertheageof18;
“(4)A summaryofthefinancialresponsibilitiesandexpectationsoftheyouthandtheSOULFamilymembers,includinghowthesubsidyfunds,maybedistributed;
“(5)A descriptionofanyresourcesorongoingsupporistheAgencyagreestoprovidetosupporttheSOUL Family;
“(6)InformationregardingAgency,District,state,federalorotherpublicbenefitprogramsthattheyouthmay:
“(A)BeeligibleforiftheyremainedcommittedtothelegalcustodyoftheAgency;and
“(B)Retaineligibilityforafterclosureoftheneglectcase;“(7)DetailsregardinghowestablishingtheSOULFamily,theclosureoftheyouth'sneglectcase,andthepaymentofthesubsidymayimpacttheeligibilityoftheyouthandtheirSOULFamilymembersforotherpublicbenefits;and.
“(8)AnyotheragreementsortermsidentifiedbytheyouthorSOULFamilymembersasbeingimportanttohavingsharedexpectations,includingadditionalrightsandresponsibilitiesofhowtheSOULFamilyshallwork.
“(c)TheSOULFamilyagreementshallbesignedby:“(1)Theyouth;
“(2)AllSOULFamilymembersacknowledgingtheiragreementtotheSOULFamilyagreement,includingtheallocationofrightsandresponsibilitieswithrespecttotheyouth;
“(3)Theguardianadlitemacknowledgingthatheorshehasprovidedlegal
adviceandcounselingtotheyouthandthattheproposedSOUL Familyagreementservesthe
youth’sbestinterest,or thestatedinterestattorneyacknowledgingthathe or she has provided
legaladviceandcounselingtotheyouth;and
“(4)TheAgency,acknowledgingitsagreementtothesubsidyprovisionsandto
any additionalcommitments named.
“(d)At any time between thefilingof thismotion and theissuanceofa finalorder
establishingtheSOUL family,theFamilyCourtoranypartytotheSOUL Familyagreement
mayrequestanamendmenttotheproposedSOULFamilyagreement.
Ҥ16-2399.26.PartiestoaSOULFamilyproceeding.
“(a)ThepartiestoaproceedingtoestablishaSOUL shallinclude:
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ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“(1)Theyouth;
“(2)Theyouth’sparent;provided,thattheyretainlegalrights;
“(3)AlllproposedSOUL Caregivers;and
“(4)TheagencyhavinglegalcustodyofthechildandtheDistrictofColumbia.
“(b)A proposedSOUL Supportershallbeprovidednoticeof,andanopportunitytobe
heard,ina proceedingtoestablisha SOUL Family.
“(c)The guardianad litemshallcontinuetorepresentthebestinterestsof theyouth and
havetherightsofa partyduringtheseproceedings.
“(d)TheAgencymay,uponrequest,providesupportforaSOUL Caregivertoaccess
legalrepresentation.
“(e)TheFamilyCourtmay,atitsdiscretion,joinotherpartiesonitsownmotionorin
responsetoamotionforjoinderorintervention.
Ҥ 16-2399.27.Notice.
“(a)When a motion toestablisha SOUL Family isfiled,theFamily Courtshallpromptly
seta timeforanadjudicatoryhearingandshallcausenoticethereoftobegiventoallparties.
“(b)TheFamilyCourtshalldirecttheissuanceto,andpersonalserviceupon,theyouth's
parentsofasummonsandacopyofthemotiontoestablishaSOUL Family.
“(c)Whenitisappropriatetotheproperdispositionofthecase,theFamilyCourtmay
directtheserviceofa summons upon otherpersons,
“(d)Ifpersonalserviceunderthissectioncannotbe effected,noticeshallbe made
constructivelypursuanttorulesof theSuperiorCourtof theDistrictof Columbia.
Ҥ16-2399.28.Conductofhearings.
“(a)Allhearingsandproceedingsconductedpursuanttothissubchaptershallbeheldby
ajudge,withoutajury.
“(b)Allhearingsandproceedingsconductedpursuanttothissubchaptershallberecorded
byappropriatemeans,
“(c)ExceptinhearingstodeclareapersonincontemptofFamilyCourt,thepublicshall
beexcludedfromhearingsandproceedingsarisingpursuanttothissubchapter.Onlypersonsnecessarytosuchhearingsandproceedingsshallbeadmitted;except,thattheFamilyCourtmay,
pursuantto therulesof theSuperiorCourtof theDistrictof Columbia,admit such otherpersons
ashavingaproperinterestinthecaseortheworkoftheFamilyCourtontheconditionthatthey
refrainfrom divulginginformationidentifyingthechildinvolvedin theproceedingsor members
oftheirfamily.
*(@)ToenableparticipationbytheyouthandallmembersoftheproposedSOUL Family,
theFamily Court and theAgency shallwork closelywiththepartiestoscheduleany hearingsor
proceedings,
Ҥ16-2399,29,Adjudicatoryhearings.
“(a)An adjudicatoryhearingonthemotiontoestablishaSOUL Familyshallbe
scheduledto occurwithin90 days afterthefilingof themotion.
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ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“(b)(1)TheFamilyCourtshallbegintheadjudicatoryhearingbydeterminingwhetherall
partiesarepresentandwhetherpropernoticeofthehearinghasbeengiven.
“(2)Ifaparenthasbeengivenpropernoticebutfailstoappear,theFamilyCourt
mayproceedintheparent’sabsence.
“(3)TheFamilyCourtmaynotproceedwithouttheyouthoranyofthemembers
oftheproposedSOUL Family.
“(c)Each partyshallhave therighttopresentevidence,to be heardon hisor herown
behalf,andtocross-examinewitnessescalledbyanotherparty.TheFamilyCourtmaydirectthe
AgencytosubmitasummaryreportorprovidetestimonyestablishingthattheAgency
completedbackgroundandsafetychecksandaddressedanysafety-relatedconcerns.
“(@)Themovingparty,theyouth,shallhavetheburdenofprovingbyapreponderanceof
theevidencethattheproposed SOUL Family isintheyouth’sbestinterest.
“(e)InconsideringwhethertograntthemotiontoestablishtheproposedSOUL Family,
theFamily Courtshallconsiderallrelevant,material,and competentevidencepresentedatthe
adjudicatoryhearing.Neitherthespouseordomesticpartnerprivilegenorthephysician-clientor
mentalhealthprofessional-clientprivilegeshallbe groundsforexcludingevidence.
“(f)Initsdeterminationof whethertograntthemotiontoestablishtheproposedSOUL
Family,theFamily CourtshallconsiderwhethertheproposedSOUL Family isintheyouth’s
bestinterest,basedon thefollowingfactors:
“(1)Theyouth’sneedforastableandpermanenthome,adequatecarethatmeets
theirspecificneeds,andconsistentandreliablecaregivers;
“(2)The physical,mental,and emotionalhealthof allindividualsinvolvedtothe
degreethateachaffectsthewelfareoftheyouth,thedecisiveconsiderationbeingthephysical,
mental,andemotionalneedsofthe youth;
“(3)Thequalityofinteractionandinterrelationshipoftheyouthwiththeir
parents,siblings,relatives,caregivers,andtheproposedSOUL Familymembers;
“(4)The termsof the proposedSOUL Family agreement,includingwhether:
“(A) The allocationof rights and responsibilitiesamong themembers of
theproposedSOULFamilyisfeasibleandreasonable,consideringthecircumstancesofthe
youth and allmembers of theSOUL Family;
“(B)The fulfillmentof theproposedSOUL Family agreementensuresthe
youth has a stablehome and theirbasicneeds aremet;and
“(C)The fulfillmentof theproposedSOUL Family agreementpromotes
theyouth’swell-beingand growth toward independentadulthood;
“(5)The youth’sopinionof their own bestinterestsinthematter;and
“(6)TheimpactontheyouthofremaininginthecareandcustodyoftheAgency.
*(g)TheFamilyCourtmaymodifytheproposedSOUL Familyagreementtomorefully
supportthebestinterestsof theyouth ifallpartiestotheSOUL Family agreementconsenttothe
modifications.
ENROLLED ORIGINAL.
““(h)Atanytimebetweenthefilingofthismotionandtheissuanceofafinalorder
establishingtheSOULFamily,theFamilyCourtoranypartytotheSOULFamilyagreementmayrequestamendmentstotheproposedSOULFamilyagreement.
“(iAfterconsideringalloftheevidencepresented,andaftermakingadetermination
baseduponapreponderanceoftheevidencethattheproposedSOULFamilyisintheyouth’sbestinterest,theFamilyCourtshallissueanorderestablishingtheSOULFamilyandclosingtheneglectcase,howevertheFamilyCourtmaynotissuetheorderestablishingtheSOULFamilyuntilthefollowingcircumstancesaremet:
“(1)TheyouthhasbeenlivingintheproposedSOULFamilyarrangementforatleast6 months;and
“(2)Theyouthrequestsclosureoftheneglectcase.
“(j)IftheFamilyCourtdetermines,uponaparty’srequestoratitsowndiscretion,that
additionaltimeorevidenceisnecessarytodeterminewhethertheproposedSOULFamilyisin
theyouth’sbestinterest,theFamilyCourtmaycontinuetheadjudicatoryhearing.
“(k)A youth’sparent,o individualwhopreviouslyheldparentalrightsatthetimethe
youthenteredthefostercaresystem,mayobjecttothetransferofanyrightstheyholdunderlaw
andhavethoseobjectionsdulyconsideredbytheFamilyCourtandaddressedinwrittenfindings.
“§16-2399.30.EffectofaSOULFamilyorder.“(a)A finalorderestablishingaSOULFamilyshallincorporatetheentiretyoftheSOULFamilyagreement.
“(b)TheentryofaSOULFamilyorderclosestheneglectcase.
“(c)TheentryofaSOULFamilyorderdoesnotterminatetheparentandchildrelationship,including:
“(1)Therightofthechildtoinheritance;
“(2)Theparents’righttoconsenttothechild'sadoptionpriortothechildattainingtheageof18;
“(3)Theparents’righttodeterminethechild'sreligiousaffiliationpriortothechildattainingtheageof18;
“(4)Theparents’righttovisitorcontactthechild(exceptaslimitedbythe
FamilyCourt)priortothechildattainingtheageof18;and
“(5)Theparents’responsibilitytoprovidefinancial,medical,andothersupportforthechild.
“(d)TheDistrictgovernmentortheyouththroughtheyouth’sguardianadlitemorstatedinterestattorneymaymovetoterminatetheparentandchildrelationshippursuantto§16-2354(a).
*§16-2399.31.Jurisdiction,
“(a)Subjecttosubsection(b)ofthissection,theFamilyCourtshallhavejurisdictiontoenteraSOULFamilyorderandshallretainjurisdictiontomodifyaSOULFamilyorderuntilthe
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ENROLLED ORIGINAL
youthreaches21yearsofage;provided,that,whentheyouthreaches18yearsofage,theyouth
consentsand theFamily Court findsitisinthebestinterestof theyouth.
“(b)A youth who exitsfostercaretoa SOUL Family may notreenterfostercareafter
age18.
Ҥ 16-2399.32.SOUL Family order~ finality,appeals,transcripts.
“(a)EverySOULFamilyordershallbeinwritingandshallrecitethefindingsupon
which such orderisbased,includingfindingspertainingtotheFamilyCourt’sjurisdiction.
“(b)Exceptasotherwiseexpresslyprovidedbylaw,theentryofa SOUL Familyorder
shallbe final.
“(c)Inallappealsfrom decisionsof theFamily Court with respecttoa SOUL Family
orderunder thissubchapter,theyouth shallbe identifiedonly by initialsinalltranscripts,briefs,
andotherpapersfiled,andallnecessarysteps,asprescribedbyrulesoftheDistrictofColumbia
Courtof Appeals,shallbe takentoprotecttheidentityof the youth.
“(d)Uponthefilingofamotionandsupportingaffidavitstatingthattheyarefinancially
unabletopurchaseatranscript,apartywhohasfilednoticeofappealorofinterlocutoryappeal
of anorderunderthissubchaptershallbefurnished,atnocostoratsuchpartofcostastheyare
ableto pay,so muchof the transcriptas isnecessarytoprepareadequatelyand supportthe
appeal.
“(e)An appealdoesnotoperatetostaytheorder,judgment,ordecreeappealedfrom,but
wheneverthecaseisproperlybeforetheDistrictofColumbiaCourtofAppeals,thatCourt,on
applicationand hearing,may orderotherwiseifsuitableprovisionismade intheorderforthe
careandcustodyoftheyouth.
Ҥ 16-2399.33.Confidentialityof records.
“The provisionsof §§ 16-2332and 16-2333shallapplytoallrecordsand filesthatare
createdpursuanttoproceedingsunderthissubchapter.
Ҥ 16-2399.34.Unlawful disclosure.
“Whoeverwillfullydiscloses,receives,makesuseof,orknowinglypermitstheuseof
informationconcerninga youth or otherpersoninviolationof§ 16-2399.33shallbe guiltyofa
misdemeanor and upon convictionthereofshallbe finedno more thantheamount setforthin§
22-3571.01,or incarceratedforno more than90 days,or both.A violationofthis sectionshallbe
prosecutedby theOfficeof theAttorneyGeneralof the DistrictofColumbia.
Ҥ 16-2399.35.Modificationofa SOUL Family order.
“(a)The youth may move theFamily Courtto modify a SOUL Family orderto:
“(1)AddorremovemembersoftheSOUL Family;
“(2)Revisetheallocationofrightsandresponsibilities;or
“(3)AmendthetermsoftheSOUL Familyagreement,
“(b)Theyouth’sparentsmaymovetheFamilyCourttomodifyaSOUL Familyorderif
theyouthisundertheageof18andthereisasubstantialandmaterialchangeintheyouth’s
circumstances.
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“(c)Noticeofa motion tomodify a SOUL Family ordershallbe personallyservedon all
parties,includinganyproposedadditionalmembersoftheSOUL Family.Ifpersonalservice
underthissectioncannotbe effected,noticeshallbe made constructivelypursuantto therulesof
theSuperiorCourtofthe Districtof Columbia.
“(@TheFamilyCourtmayissueanorderofreferencedirectingtheMayortofileareport
andrecommendationregardingtheproposedmodificationoftheSOULFamilyorderwithin45daysafterthefilingdateofthemotion.
“(e)A SOUL Family ordermay be modifiedif the FamilyCourt finds,by a
preponderanceof theevidence,thatitisintheyouth’sbestintereststomodify theSOUL Family
order.
“(®)TheFamilyCourtshallholdanadjudicatoryhearingbeforemodifyingaSOUL
Family orderand shall,attheconclusionof thehearing,entera writtenorderrecitingthe
findingsuponwhichsuchorderisbased,includingfindingspertainingtotheFamilyCourt's
jurisdiction.
Ҥ 16-2399.36.Subsidy.
“(a)TheMayormaymakesubsidypaymentstomembersoftheSOULFamily,
irrespectiveoftheirstateofresidence,pursuanttothissection.
“(b)Members of the SOUL Family who may be eligibleforsubsidypayments underthis
sectionarelimitedto:
“(1)SOUL Caregiverswhoprovidehousingfortheyouth;and
(2)Theyouth.
“(c)TheAgency,theyouth,andtheSOUL Caregiversshallenterintoasubsidypayment
agreementthatshallbe incorporatedintotheSOUL Family agreement.
“(d)(1)Subsidypaymentsshallbeallocatedasfollows:
“(A)Iftheyouthis18yearsand6monthsoldoryounger,thesubsidy
shallbe paidtotheSOUL Caregiveror SOUL Caregiverswho areprovidinghousing;and
“(B) Iftheyouth isolderthan 18 yearsand 6 months,halfof thesubsidy
shallbe paidtotheyouth,and theremaininghalfshallbe paidtotheSOUL Caregiverswho are
providinghousing.
“(2)The SOUL Caregivermay choose todeclineallor partofthesubsidy,and
thatportionshallbepaiddirectlytotheyouth.
“(e)Iftheyouthis18yearsofageorolderandcanestablishthattheyarenotresiding
withaSOULCaregiver,theyouthmayatanytimerequesttheAgencytopaytheentiresubsidytotheyouthandtheAgency shallcomplywiththisrequest.
“(f)Eligibilityforsubsidypaymentsunderthissectionshallcontinueuntiltheyouth
reaches21yearsofage.
“(g)TheAgencyshalldisseminateinformationtoprospectivemembersoftheSOUL
Familyastoeligibilityforsubsidyunderthissection.
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ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“(h)SOULFamilysubsidiesshallbesubjecttotheavailabilityofappropriations.Nothinginthissectionshallbeconstruedtocreateanentitlementto2SOULFamilysubsidyforanyperson.
Ҥ16-2399.37.Rules.
“Within120daysaftertheeffectivedateofthissubchapter,theMayor,pursuantto§2-501efseg.shallissuerulestoimplementtheprovisionsofthissubchapter.”.
Sec.3.Section502ofthePreventionofChildAbuseandNeglectActof1977,effectiveJune27,2000(D.C,Law13-136;D.C.OfficialCode§4-1305.02),isamendedbyaddinganewparagraph(3)toreadasfollows:
“@A)AnindividualwhoseekstobeapprovedasaSOULCaregiver,and,ifrequiredbytheFamilyCourt,anindividualwhoseekstobeapprovedasaSOULSupporter,asthosetermsaredefinedinD.C.OfficialCode§16-2399.21.”.
Sec.4,Applicability.
(a)Thisactshallapplyuponthedateofinclusionofitsfiscaleffectinanapprovedbudgetandfinancialplan.(b)TheChiefFinancialOfficershallcertifythedateoftheinclusionofthefiscaleffectin |anapprovedbudgetandfinancialplan,andprovidenoticetotheBudgetDirectoroftheCouncilofthecertification.
(c)(1)TheBudgetDirectorshallcausethenoticeofthecertificationtobepublishedintheDistrictofColumbiaRegister.
(2)Thedateofpublicationofthenoticeofthecertificationshallnotaffecttheapplicabilityofthisact.
Sec.5.Fiscalimpactstatement.
TheCounciladoptsthefiscalimpactstatementinthecommitteereportasthefiscalimpactstatementrequiredbysection4aoftheGeneralLegislativeProceduresActof1975,approvedOctober16,2006(120Stat.2038:D.C.OfficialCode§1-301.47a).
Sec.6.Effectivedate.
ThisactshalltakeeffectafterapprovalbytheMayor(orintheeventofvetobytheMayor,actionbytheCounciltooverridetheveto)anda30-dayperiodofcongressionalreview
IL
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
asprovidedinsection602(c)(1)oftheDistrictofColumbiaHomeRuleAct,approvedDecember24,1973(87Stat,813;D.C.OfficialCode§1-206.02(c)(1)).
‘rman
Councilof theDistrictof Columbia
Districtof Columbi
APPROVEDJUNE 24, 2026
12
DocketNo.826-0399
[<1ITEMONCONSENTCALENDAR
(UacTION
COUNCILOFTHEDISTRICTOFCOLUMBIA
WASHINGTON,DC,20004
FirstReading,CC
DaVOTEDATE May5,2026
[D<1VoIcevoTE ‘Approved
RECORDEDVOTEONREQUEST
ABSENT
[TROLLCALLVOTEResult
CouncilMember__|Aye|Nay[NV[AB[Rec|CounciiMember_|Aye|Nay|NV[AB|Rec|CounciMember[Aye[Nay|NV[AB[Rec
ChairmanMendelson]X Frumin x Pinto
Allen x Henderson x R.White
Bonds x LewisGeorge| X Twhite
Crawford x Nadeau x
Felder x Parker x
X-IndicateVote ‘AB—Absent NV--Present,NotVoting Rec-Recused
CERTIFICATIONRECORD
retarytotieCouncil
DocketNo,826-0399,
[DX]ITEMONCONSENTCALENDAR
[XJACTION FinalReading,CC
IX]VOTEDATE June2,2026
[Xx]VOICEVOTE Approved
RECORDEDVOTEONREQUEST
ABSENT
[]ROLLCALLVOTE—Resuit
CouncilMember [Aye[NayNV ]AB| Rec|CouncilMember[Aye[Nay|NV[AB[Rec|CouncilMember[aye[Nay|NV[AB[Rec
ChairmanMende'son)x Frumin x Pinto
Allen, x Henderson x R.White
Bonds x LewisGeorge| x T.White
Crawford x Nadeau x
Felder x Parker x
X-IndicateVote ‘AB~Absent NY.-Present,NotVoting Rec-Recused
CERTIFICATIONRECORD
ae ‘ieCound