DC Young Adult Corps Act of 2026

Statement of Introduction DC Young Adult Corps Act of 2026 January 14, 2026 Today, alongside Councilmembers Nadeau and Pinto, I am introducing the DC Young Adult Corps Act of 2026, legislation that establishes a structured, paid service year for District residents ages 17 through 24. This bill creates a new civic-to-career pathway for young adults who want to serve their communities, gain real workforce experience, and build the skills and connections needed for long-term economic stability. Too many young people in the District face a gap between completing school and accessing stable employment. While the District has made significant investments in education and workforce development, there remains a need for paid, full-time opportunities that combine meaningful public service with structured training, mentorship, and strong labor protections. A service year model meets this need by allowing young adults to earn wages while contributing to schools, nonprofits, public agencies, and community-based institutions that strengthen the city as a whole. Across the country, intentionally designed service year programs have demonstrated that paid service can function as a powerful workforce pipeline. In Maryland, the SERVE Act established the nation’s first statewide service year infrastructure, Maryland Corps, offering young adults full-time placements supported by wages, supervision, mentorship, and professional development. Early outcomes show that these programs benefit participants while delivering measurable gains in areas such as education, public health, environmental work, climate resilience, and civic engagement. The DC Young Adult Corps Act builds on this proven model and adapts it to the District’s unique education and labor landscape. This legislation establishes a clear framework for participation while allowing flexibility to reach young people with different pathways into the program. Eligible participants must be District residents between the ages of 17 and 24 and either have recently earned a high school equivalency or comparable credential or qualify through alternative criteria established by the Department of Employment Services through rulemaking. In selecting participants, the program prioritizes young adults facing barriers to employment and seeks to align participant interests with available service placements. The bill assigns program leadership and coordination to the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education, which will set annual priority focus areas, establish baseline training and mentorship expectations, approve host organization criteria, and ensure alignment across education,

workforce, and service agencies. To support this work, the bill establishes a DC Young Adult Corps Advisory Group composed of key education, workforce, and service partners to provide guidance and coordination. Day-to-day program operations are administered by the Department of Employment Services, which is responsible for recruiting and selecting participants, contracting with and monitoring host organizations, administering wages and benefits, coordinating training and mentorship, ensuring compliance with workplace laws, and collecting and reporting program data. Service placements are designed to be meaningful and structured, lasting between nine and twelve months, with participants generally serving at least 30 hours per week and no more than 40 hours per week. Importantly, the bill includes strong labor protections. Participants must be paid at or above the District’s minimum wage for all hours worked, placements must supplement rather than displace existing workers, and service roles may not involve partisan political activity, campaign work, or religious proselytizing. Participants who successfully complete the program may also receive a one-time completion award, providing additional support as they transition into employment or further education. To ensure sustainability and accountability, the bill establishes a non-lapsing DC Young Adult Corps Fund, requires regular public reporting, and provides for periodic independent evaluations of the program’s outcomes and effectiveness. The DC Young Adult Corps Act establishes paid service as a durable civic-to-career pipeline for young District residents while strengthening the institutions that provide essential public and community services. I look forward to working with my colleagues and District partners to advance this legislation and invest in the next generation of District leaders.

1 2 _____________________________ _____________________________ 3 Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau Councilmember Janeese Lewis George 4 5 6 _____________________________ 7 Councilmember Brooke Pinto 8 A BILL 9 10 _______ 11 12 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 13 14 _________________________ 15 16 17 To establish a DC Young Adult Corps Program to provide recent high school graduates and young 18 adults with paid, full-time service placements that support District priorities, to designate 19 the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education as the DME responsible for program design, 20 priority setting, and cross-sector alignment, to designate the Department of Employment 21 Services as the DOES responsible for participant selection, placement management, 22 compensation, and implementation, to establish eligibility criteria, participant 23 responsibilities, and standards for service year placements and host organizations, to 24 authorize participant wages and completion awards, to establish a Service Year Fund, and to 25 require data collection, annual reporting, and independent evaluation. 26 27 BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act 28 may be cited as the “DC Young Adult Corps Act of 2026”. 29 Sec. 2. Definitions. 30 For purposes of this act, the term: 31 (1) “DME” means the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education. 32 (2) “DOES” means the Department of Employment Services. 33 (3) “Eligible Individual” means a District resident who: 34 (A) Is at least 17 years of age and not older than 24 years of age; and 35 (B) Meets at least one of the following conditions: 36

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(i) Has earned a high school equivalency credential, or a comparable 37 credential recognized under District law, within the 12 months immediately preceding application; or 38 (ii) Meets alternative eligibility criteria established by DOES through 39 rulemaking, consistent with the priorities identified by DME. 40 (4) “Service year” means a full-time service placement lasting up to 12 months. 41 (5) “Service placement” means a structured work and service assignment provided 42 through a host organization and approved by DOES. 43 (6) “Host organization” means a District agency, District of Columbia Public Schools, 44 public charter school, institution of higher education, nonprofit organization, or other public or private 45 entity approved by DOES to provide service placements. 46 (7) “Completion award” means a one-time payment issued by DOES to a participant 47 who successfully completes a service year at their service placement. 48 (8) “Fund” means the DC Young Adult Corps Fund established by section 9. 49 (9) “Program” means the DC Young Adult Corps Program established by this act. 50 Sec. 3. Establishment and purpose. 51 (a) There is established the District of Columbia Young Adult Corps Program, which shall 52 be administered by DOES under DME’s oversight and policy guidance, for the purposes of: 53 (1) Providing recent high school graduates and young adults with paid service 54 opportunities that build professional, educational, and civic skills; 55 (2) Strengthening the District’s workforce pipeline through service placements 56 aligned with community needs in education, health, environment, and public safety; 57 (3) Supporting District agencies, nonprofits, and schools in advancing local priorities 58 while developing the next generation of civic leaders; and 59

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(4) Retaining District talent by connecting participants to local apprenticeships, 60 higher education, and employment. 61 (b) DME shall lead the front-end design, strategic direction, and cross-sector alignment of 62 the Program. In carrying out this responsibility, DME shall: 63 (1) Convene and chair the DC Young Adult Corps Advisory Group, which shall 64 consist of representatives from DME, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, District 65 of Columbia Public Schools, the District of Columbia Public Charter School Board, the Workforce 66 Investment Council, the University of the District of Columbia, Serve DC, and any other agencies 67 or entities identified by DME; 68 (2) Develop and publish, at least annually, priority focus areas for service 69 placements based on District needs, workforce data, and stakeholder input; 70 (3) Establish baseline Program design requirements, including: 71 (A) Core competencies and training expectations for participants; 72 (B) Criteria for the approval of host organizations; and 73 (C) Standards for mentorship, supervision, and participant support; 74 (4) Coordinate with education and youth-serving agencies to support outreach and 75 recruitment of recent graduates and young adults, including integration of the Program into 76 postsecondary planning processes; and 77 (5) Issue written guidance to DOES as necessary to ensure that Program 78 implementation aligns with District education and workforce goals. 79 (d) DOES shall implement and operate the Program consistent with the priorities, standards, 80 and guidance established by DME and informed by the DC Young Adult Corps Advisory Group. 81 DOES shall: 82

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(1) Operate the Program application, intake, and selection processes for eligible 83 individuals; 84 (2) Recruit, screen, and select participants consistent with the eligibility criteria 85 established by section 4 and any rules issued pursuant to this act; 86 (3) Identify, approve, contract with, and monitor host organizations consistent with 87 criteria established by DME; 88 (4) Process and disburse participant wages and benefits and administer completion 89 awards; 90 (5) Provide or coordinate training, mentorship support, and supportive services for 91 participants; 92 (6) Ensure that host organizations comply with applicable District and federal 93 workplace laws and Program requirements; 94 (7) Collect data on Program implementation and outcomes; and 95 (8) Submit reports to DME, the Mayor, and the Council as required under this act. 96 (e) DME and DOES shall consult regularly on Program implementation and may enter into 97 memoranda of understanding to clarify their respective roles and responsibilities consistent with 98 this section. 99 Sec. 4. Participant eligibility, selection, and responsibilities. 100 (a) DOES shall establish an application process for eligible individuals that is transparent, 101 accessible, and available online and through community-based partners. 102 (b) In selecting participants, DOES shall, to the extent practicable: 103 (1) Prioritize eligible individuals who face barriers to employment; and 104

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(2) Consider the alignment between an eligible individual’s interests and skills and 105 available service placements. 106 (c) A participant in a service placement under the Program shall: 107 (1) Work at least 30 hours per week for the duration of the service year, unless DOES 108 approves an alternative schedule for good cause; 109 (2) Perform the duties of the service placement to the satisfaction of the host 110 organization and DOES; 111 (3) Participate in training, professional development, and supportive service activities 112 required by DOES or the host organization; and 113 (4) Participate in Program-wide events and activities intended to promote civic 114 engagement, leadership development, and awareness of District education and workforce 115 opportunities. 116 Sec. 5. Program structure and service placements 117 (a) The Program shall be designed by DME, in consultation with DOES and informed by the 118 DC Young Adult Corps Advisory Group, to: 119 (1) Provide full-time service placements of at least 30 hours per week; 120 (2) Include structured duties that serve District communities and support the 121 development of participant professional, educational, and civic skills; 122 (3) Provide ongoing coaching, supervision, and professional development 123 opportunities; and 124 (4) Offer cohort-based learning opportunities, civic engagement activities, and 125 exposure to postsecondary education, apprenticeships, and career pathways. 126 (b) Service placements operated by DOES shall: 127

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(1) Address one or more of the priority focus areas identified by DME; 128 (2) Be hosted by an organization approved by DOES pursuant to criteria established by 129 DME; 130 (3) Include a designated mentor at the host organization responsible for participant 131 guidance and regular feedback; 132 (4) Comply with Program standards for supervision, training, and participant support 133 established by DME; and 134 (5) Be structured to provide meaningful service experience without displacing existing 135 employees or volunteers. 136 Sec. 6. Host organizations and Corps placements. 137 (a) DME shall establish criteria for the approval of host organizations, including standards for: 138 (1) Capacity to provide structured service roles, supervision, and mentorship; 139 (2) Compliance with applicable District and federal workplace laws; and 140 (3) Capacity to share data necessary to evaluate Program outcomes. 141 (b) DOES shall: 142 (1) Approve host organizations in accordance with the criteria established by DME; 143 (2) Enter into written agreements with host organizations setting forth Program 144 expectations, reporting requirements, workplace compliance requirements, and other conditions of 145 participation; 146 (3) Monitor host organizations for compliance with Program requirements and 147 applicable District and federal workplace laws; and 148 (4) Provide technical assistance to host organizations as needed. 149 (c) A host organization shall: 150

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(1) Provide day-to-day supervision and mentorship to participants; 151 (2) Ensure that participant duties are appropriate to their training and experience and 152 consistent with the purposes of the Program; 153 (3) Maintain records and submit reports to DOES regarding participant attendance, 154 performance, and completion; and 155 (4) Comply with all applicable District and federal workplace requirements. 156 (d) A service year placement shall: 157 (1) Be of a duration established by DOES, which may be no less than 9 months and no 158 more than 12 months; 159 (2) Require a weekly schedule of service hours, not to exceed 40 hours per week, as 160 established by rule; 161 (3) Include supervision, mentorship, training, and structured professional development 162 activities, as required by DOES; 163 (4) Include a written service agreement signed by the participant, the host organization, 164 and DOES describing duties, expectations, compensation, training requirements, performance 165 standards, and conditions for successful completion; 166 (5) Provide a safe and structured work environment that meets all applicable workplace 167 protections under District law, including workers’ compensation coverage, paid sick leave, and 168 minimum wage requirements; 169 (6) Supplement, and not supplant, existing employees or volunteers, and not displace 170 existing employees, perform work ordinarily performed by employees of the host organization, or fill 171 any position that is vacant because of a labor dispute; 172

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(7) Not include partisan political activity, campaign-related activity, or religious 173 proselytizing; and 174 (8) Comply with any additional requirements established by DOES by rule to ensure 175 participant safety, Program quality, and alignment with the purposes of this act. 176 Sec. 7. Participant compensation and completion awards. 177 (a) A participant in a service placement under the Program shall receive wages for all hours 178 worked. Wages shall be paid at a rate not less than the District’s minimum wage under section 4 of the 179 Minimum Wage Act Revision Act of 1992, effective Mar. 25, 1993 (D.C. Law 9-248; D.C. Official 180 Code § 32-1003) and may be paid at a higher rate as determined by agreement between DOES and the 181 host organization. 182 (b) DOES may provide wage subsidies to host organizations to support the cost of participant 183 compensation, and consistent with rules issued pursuant to this act. 184 (c) Compensation shall be paid on a regular schedule consistent with District payroll practices 185 or with the payroll practices of the host organization, as applicable, and in accordance with any 186 agreements executed under this act. 187 (d)(1) In accordance with criteria established by rule, DOES may provide a completion award 188 to a participant who successfully completes a service year. 189 (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) of this subsection, “successful completion” shall 190 include, at a minimum: 191 (A) Completion of required service hours; 192 (B) Satisfactory performance of duties as verified by the host organization; 193 (C) Participation in required training, professional development, and Program 194 activities; and 195

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(D) Any additional requirements established by rule. 196 (3) A completion award shall be withheld in full until the participant has met all 197 requirements of successful completion established under paragraph (2) of this subsection. A 198 participant who does not successfully complete a service year shall not be entitled to a partial award 199 unless permitted by rule. 200 (4) A completion award shall not exceed $3,000 per participant. 201 (5) Completion awards shall be considered taxable income unless otherwise exempt 202 under federal law. 203 (e) DOES may provide or support additional benefits or allowances for participants, including 204 transportation assistance, supportive services, and other participant supports. 205 Sec. 8. Data collection, reporting, and evaluation. 206 (a) DOES shall collect and maintain data sufficient to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of 207 the Program. At a minimum, DOES shall collect data on: 208 (1) The number, characteristics, and demographic information of applicants and 209 participants, to the extent practicable; 210 (2) The number, type, and geographic distribution of service placements; 211 (3) Participant attendance, retention, and completion rates; 212 (4) Participant transitions into employment, apprenticeships, postsecondary education, 213 or training within 12 months following completion of the Program; 214 (5) Participant wages, credential attainment, and other measurable outcomes identified 215 by the DME; and 216 (6) Feedback from participants, host organizations, and mentors regarding Program 217 quality and effectiveness. 218

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(b) No later than February 1 of each year, DOES shall submit to the Mayor, DME, and the 219 Council an annual report on the Program. The report shall, at a minimum: 220 (1) Present the data described in subsection (a) of this section, disaggregated to the 221 extent practicable by age, ward of residence, gender, race and ethnicity, disability status, and 222 education level; 223 (2) Analyze Program outcomes, including participant completion rates, transitions into 224 education or employment, and wage outcomes; 225 (3) Identify challenges and barriers encountered by participants, host organizations, and 226 administering staff; 227 (4) Provide recommendations for Program improvement, expansion, and alignment 228 with District education and workforce priorities; 229 (5) Describe coordination efforts between DOES, DME, and other District partners; 230 and 231 (6) Summarize host organization performance, including compliance with Program 232 requirements. 233 (c) DOES shall make the annual report required by subsection (b) of this section publicly 234 available on its website no later than 10 days after submission to the Council. 235 (d)(1) Subject to the availability of funds, DOES shall procure an independent evaluation of 236 the Program at least once every three years. 237 (2) The evaluation shall examine Program effectiveness, equity, and alignment with District 238 education and workforce outcomes. At a minimum, the evaluation shall: 239 (A) Assess participant experiences, including supervision quality, training, and 240 supportive services; 241

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(B) Assess host organization performance and the overall quality of service 242 placements; 243 (C) Evaluate the extent to which the Program advances the priority focus areas 244 established by DME; and 245 (D) Make recommendations for Program improvement and cost-effectiveness. 246 (3) The independent evaluation shall be submitted to the Council and made publicly available 247 on DOES’s website within 30 days of receipt. 248 Sec. 9. DC Young Adult Corps Fund. 249 (a) There is established as a special fund, the “DC Young Adult Corps” (“Fund”), which shall 250 be administered by DOES in accordance with this section. 251 (b) The purposes of the Fund shall be to: 252 (1) Provide completion awards to Program participants; 253 (2) Provide wage subsidies, benefits, and supportive services for Program participants; 254 and 255 (3) Support the administration of the Program, including recruitment, outreach, 256 training, technical assistance, monitoring, reporting, evaluation, and related operational expenses. 257 (c) The Fund shall consist of: 258 (1) Money appropriated to the Fund in the annual budget and financial plan; 259 (2) Grants, gifts, or donations from any public or private source; 260 (3) Interest earned on money in the Fund; and 261 (4) Any other money received by the Fund. 262 (d) All money deposited into the Fund shall be used for the purposes described in subsection 263 (b) of this section. 264

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(e) The Fund shall be a non-lapsing fund. All funds deposited into the Fund shall remain 265 available for the purposes set forth in this section without regard to fiscal year limitation. 266 (f) DOES shall maintain accounting records for the Fund in accordance with procedures 267 established by the Chief Financial Officer. 268 Sec. 10. Rulemaking. 269 The Mayor, pursuant to Title I of the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act, 270 approved October 21, 1968 (82 Stat. 1204; D.C. Official Code § 2-501 et seq.), may issue rules to 271 implement the provisions of this act. 272 Sec. 11. Fiscal impact statement. 273 The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact 274 statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved 275 October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 276 Sec. 12. Effective date. 277 This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 278 Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto) and a 30-day period of congressional review as 279 provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 280 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)). 281