District Of Columbia 2023-2024 Regular Session

District Of Columbia Council Bill B25-0044 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	~~ENROLLED~~ ORIGINAL
	1	+	ENGROSSED ORIGINAL
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5	5		1
6	6
7		-	~~AN ACT~~
	7	+	A BILL
8	8
9		-	~~___________________~~
	9	+	25-44
10	10
11	11		IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
12	12
13		-	~~____________~~________________
	13	+	________________
14	14
15	15
16		-	To amend Chapter 3 of Title 13 of the District of Columbia Official Code to provide that
17		-	publication may be substituted for personal service of process for appointments of a
18		-	vulnerable youth guardian in certain circumstances; and to amend Chapter 23 of Title 16
19		-	of the District of Columbia Official Code to authorize the Family Division of the
20		-	Superior Court to appoint, modify, and terminate a new class of legal guardianship for
21		-	vulnerable youth.
22		-
23		-	BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
24		-	act may be cited as the “Vulnerable Youth Guardianship Protection Amendment Act of 2024”.
25		-
26		-	Sec. 2. Section 13-336(b) of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended as
27		-	follows:
28		-	(a) Paragraph (7) is amended by striking the phrase “; and” and inserting a semicolon in
29		-	its place.
30		-	(b) Paragraph (8) is amended by striking the period and inserting the phrase “; and” in its
31		-	place.
32		-	(c) A new paragraph (9) is added to read as follows:
33		-	“(9) actions for the appointment of a vulnerable youth guardian under Subchapter
34		-	VI of Chapter 23 of Title 16 of the District of Columbia Official Code.”.
35		-
36		-	Sec. 3. Chapter 23 of Title 16 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended as
37		-	follows:
38		-	(a) The table of contents is amended by adding the following at the end:
39		-	“Subchapter VI. Vulnerable Youth Guardian.
40		-	“§ 16-2399.01. Definitions.
41		-	“§ 16-2399.02. Guardianship petition.
42		-	“§ 16-2399.03. Parties.
43		-	“§ 16-2399.04. Timing and notice.
44		-	“§ 16-2399.05. Conduct of hearings.
45		-	“§ 16-2399.06. Adjudicatory hearings.
46		-	“§ 16-2399.07. Order appointing a guardian of a vulnerable youth. ENROLLED ORIGINAL
	16	+	To amend Chapter 3 of Title 13 of the District of Columbia Official Code to provide that 1
	17	+	publication may be substituted for personal service of process for appointments of a 2
	18	+	vulnerable youth guardian in certain circumstances; and to amend Chapter 23 of Title 16 3
	19	+	of the District of Columbia Official Code to authorize the Family Division of the Superior 4
	20	+	Court to appoint, modify, and terminate a new class of legal guardianship for vulnerable 5
	21	+	youth. 6
	22	+	7
	23	+	BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 8
	24	+	act may be cited as the “Vulnerable Youth Guardianship Protection Emergency Amendment Act 9
	25	+	of 2023”. 10
	26	+	Sec. 2. Section 13-336(b) of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended as 11
	27	+	follows: 12
	28	+	(a) Paragraph (7) is amended by striking the phrase “; and” and inserting a semicolon in 13
	29	+	its place. 14
	30	+	(b) Paragraph (8) is amended by striking the period and inserting the phrase “; and” in its 15
	31	+	place. 16
	32	+	(c) A new paragraph (9) is added to read as follows: 17
	33	+	“(9) actions for the appointment of a vulnerable youth guardian under Subchapter 18
	34	+	VI of Chapter 23 of Title 16 of the District of Columbia Official Code.”. 19 ENGROSSED ORIGINAL
47	35
48	36
49	37
50	38		2
51	39
52		-	“§ 16-2399.08. Effect of guardianship order
53		-	“§ 16-2399.09. Additional available remedies.”.
54		-	(b) A new Subchapter VI is added to read as follows:
55		-	“Subchapter VI. Vulnerable Youth Guardian.
56		-	“§ 16-2399.01. Definitions.
57		-	“(a) For purposes of this subchapter, the term:
58		-	“(1) “Guardian” means a person designated by the court pursuant to this
59		-	subchapter as the guardian of a vulnerable youth.
60		-	“(2) “Guardianship order” means the court document that establishes legal
61		-	guardianship and enumerates the guardian’s rights and responsibilities concerning the care and
62		-	custody of the vulnerable youth.
63		-	“(3) “Noncitizen” means a person who is not a United States citizen.
64		-	“(4) “Proposed guardian” means a person seeking to be appointed guardian of a
65		-	vulnerable youth. The term “proposed guardian” includes a business or nonprofit entity, public
66		-	corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or other legal
67		-	entity whether or not a citizen or domiciliary of the District of Columbia and whether or not
68		-	organized under the laws of the District of Columbia.
69		-	“(5) “Similar basis” means conditions that have an effect on a vulnerable youth
70		-	comparable to abuse, neglect, or abandonment, including the death of a parent.
71		-	“(6) “Vulnerable youth” means an unmarried noncitizen who is at least 18 but
72		-	younger than 21 years old.
73		-	“(b) Except when inconsistent with this subchapter, the terms found in this subchapter
74		-	shall have the same meaning as provided in §16-2301.
75		-	“§ 16-2399.02. Guardianship petition.
76		-	“(a) A vulnerable youth or proposed guardian may file a petition with the Family Court to
77		-	appoint a guardian under this subchapter. The petition shall name the proposed guardian and
78		-	describe why:
79		-	“(1) The appointment is in the best interests of the vulnerable youth;
80		-	“(2) Reunification of the vulnerable youth with one or both parents is not viable
81		-	due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis under District law; and
82		-	“(3) It is not in the best interests of the vulnerable youth to be returned to the
83		-	vulnerable youth’s or vulnerable youth’s previous parents’ country of nationality or country of
84		-	last habitual residence.
85		-	“(b) The court shall determine whether it is in the vulnerable youth’s best interests that a
86		-	guardian be appointed by considering:
87		-	“(1) The vulnerable youth’s need for continuity of care and caretakers, and for
88		-	timely integration into a stable home, taking into account the differences in the development and
89		-	the concept of time of youth of different ages and nationalities; ENROLLED ORIGINAL
	40	+	20
	41	+	21
	42	+	Sec. 3. Chapter 23 of Title 16 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended as 22
	43	+	follows: 23
	44	+	(a) The table of contents is amended by adding the following at the end: 24
	45	+	“Subchapter VI. Vulnerable Youth Guardian. 25
	46	+	“§ 16-2399.01. Definitions. 26
	47	+	“§ 16-2399.02. Guardianship petition. 27
	48	+	“§ 16-2399.03. Parties. 28
	49	+	“§ 16-2399.04. Timing and notice. 29
	50	+	“§ 16-2399.05. Conduct of hearings. 30
	51	+	“§ 16-2399.06. Adjudicatory hearings. 31
	52	+	“§ 16-2399.07. Order appointing a guardian of a vulnerable youth. 32
	53	+	“§ 16-2399.08. Effect of guardianship order 33
	54	+	“§ 16-2399.09. Additional available remedies.”. 34
	55	+	(b) A new Subchapter VI is added to read as follows: 35
	56	+	“Subchapter VI. Vulnerable Youth Guardian. 36
	57	+	“§ 16-2399.01. Definitions. 37
	58	+	“(a) For purposes of this subchapter, the term: 38 ENGROSSED ORIGINAL
90	59
91	60
92	61
93	62		3
94	63
95		-	“(2) The physical, mental, and emotional health of all individuals involved to the
96		-	degree that each affects the welfare of the vulnerable youth, the decisive consideration in regard
97		-	to this factor being the physical, mental, and emotional needs of the vulnerable youth;
98		-	“(3) Access to stability, safety, supports or services to remedy the impacts of prior
99		-	abuse, abandonment, neglect, or a similar basis under District law;
100		-	“(4) The quality of the interaction and interrelationship of the vulnerable youth
101		-	with his or her parents, siblings, relatives, and caretakers, including the proposed guardian; and
102		-	“(5) The vulnerable youth’s opinion of their own best interest.
103		-	“(c) No fees shall be charged for a petition filed under this subchapter.
104		-	“§ 16-2399.03. Parties.
105		-	“Parties to a guardianship proceeding shall be the vulnerable youth, the proposed
106		-	guardian, and the vulnerable youth’s parents. The court may, at its discretion, on its own motion,
107		-	or in response to a motion for joinder or intervention, join additional parties to a guardianship
108		-	proceeding.
109		-	“§ 16-2399.04 Timing and notice.
110		-	“(a) When a petition for guardianship is filed, the court shall promptly set a time for an
111		-	adjudicatory hearing, as soon as administratively feasible, and shall cause notice thereof to be
112		-	given to all parties and their attorneys.
113		-	“(b) When it is appropriate to the proper disposition of the case, the court may direct the
114		-	service of a summons upon other persons.
115		-	“(c) If personal service under this section cannot be effected, then notice shall be made
116		-	constructively pursuant to rules of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
117		-	“16-2399.05. Conduct of the hearings.
118		-	“(a) All hearings and proceedings conducted pursuant to this subchapter shall be held by
119		-	a judge, without a jury.
120		-	“(b) All hearings and proceedings conducted pursuant to this subchapter shall be recorded
121		-	by appropriate means.
122		-	“16-2399.06. Adjudicatory hearings.
123		-	“(a) The court shall begin the adjudicatory hearing by determining whether all parties are
124		-	present and whether proper notice of the hearing has been given.
125		-	“(b) All parties have the right to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses.
126		-	“(c) The court shall hear evidence presented by the parties and the burden of proof shall
127		-	rest upon the proposed guardian or vulnerable youth.
128		-	“(d) Every party shall have the right to present evidence, to be heard on his or her own
129		-	behalf, and to cross-examine witnesses called by another party.
130		-	“(e) All evidence which is relevant, material, and competent to the issues before the court
131		-	shall be admitted.
132		-	“(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 14-306 and 14-307, neither the spouse or
133		-	domestic partner privilege nor the physician/client or mental health professional/client privilege
134		-	shall be a ground for excluding evidence in any proceeding brought under this subchapter. ENROLLED ORIGINAL
	64	+	“(1) “Guardian” means a person designated by the court pursuant to this subchapter 39
	65	+	as the guardian of a vulnerable youth. 40
	66	+	(2) “Guardianship order” means the court document that establishes legal 41
	67	+	guardianship and enumerates the guardian’s rights and responsibilities concerning the care and 42
	68	+	custody of the vulnerable youth. 43
	69	+	“(3) “Noncitizen” means a person who is not a United States citizen. 44
	70	+	“(4) “Proposed guardian” means a person seeking to be appointed guardian of a 45
	71	+	vulnerable youth. The term “proposed guardian” includes a business or nonprofit entity, public 46
	72	+	corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or other legal 47
	73	+	entity whether or not a citizen or domiciliary of the District of Columbia and whether or not 48
	74	+	organized under the laws of the District of Columbia. 49
	75	+	“(5) “Similar basis” means conditions that have an effect on a vulnerable youth 50
	76	+	comparable to abuse, neglect, or abandonment, including the death of a parent. 51
	77	+	“(6) “Vulnerable youth” means an unmarried noncitizen who is at least 18 but 52
	78	+	younger than 21 years old. 53
	79	+	“(b) Except when inconsistent with this subchapter, the terms found in this subchapter shall 54
	80	+	have the same meaning as provided in §16-2301. 55
	81	+	“§ 16-2399.02. Guardianship petition. 56 ENGROSSED ORIGINAL
135	82
136	83
137	84
138	85		4
139	86
140		-	“(g) The court may enter, modify, or terminate a guardianship order after considering all
141		-	of the evidence presented, and after making a determination based upon a preponderance of the
142		-	evidence that creation, modification, or termination of the guardianship order is in the vulnerable
143		-	youth’s best interests. If the court does not find that sufficient grounds exist to create, modify, or
144		-	terminate a guardianship order, the petition may be dismissed.
145		-	“§ 16-2399.07. Order appointing a guardian of a vulnerable youth.
146		-	“(a) After consideration of all the relevant, material, and competent evidence, the court,
147		-	which shall be acting as a juvenile court, shall issue an order establishing a guardianship if the
148		-	court finds that the guardianship is in the vulnerable youth’s best interests.
149		-	“(b) After the guardianship is established, upon request by the proposed guardian or the
150		-	vulnerable youth, the court shall, if the court finds that the allegations in the petition pursuant to
151		-	§16-2399.02(a) are supported by a preponderance of the evidence, enter a guardianship order
152		-	containing the following judicial determinations supported by relevant statutory citations and
153		-	findings of fact:
154		-	“(1) Where the identity is known, the specific identity of the parent or parents;
155		-	“(2) That the vulnerable youth is dependent on the court and has been placed
156		-	under the care and custody of an individual or entity appointed by the court through the
157		-	appointment of a guardian;
158		-	“(3) That reunification of the vulnerable youth with one or both parents is not
159		-	viable due to abuse, abandonment, neglect or similar basis under District law; and
160		-	“(4) That it is not in the best interest of the vulnerable youth to be returned to the
161		-	vulnerable youth or vulnerable youth’s parents’ country of nationality or last habitual residence.
162		-	“(c) The court may, upon motion of a party, modify or terminate a guardianship order
163		-	when the modification or termination of the guardianship order is in the vulnerable youth’s best
164		-	interests.
165		-	“(d) The entry of a guardianship order under this subchapter shall not impinge on the
166		-	vulnerable youth’s fundamental rights to make their own medical, educational, financial, or other
167		-	such decisions.
168		-	“(e) A guardianship order entered under this subchapter shall automatically terminate
169		-	when the youth reaches age 21.
170		-	“§ 16-2399.08 Effect of guardianship order.
171		-	“(a) Unless the court specifies other rights and responsibilities, the guardian shall have
172		-	the following rights and responsibilities concerning the vulnerable youth:
173		-	“(1) The guardian shall ensure that the legal rights of the vulnerable youth are not
174		-	violated;
175		-	“(2) The guardian shall provide care and support to the vulnerable youth to
176		-	promote the youth's stability and wellness; and
177		-	“(3) The guardianship will promote the physical, mental, and emotional health of
178		-	the vulnerable youth. ENROLLED ORIGINAL
	87	+	“(a) A vulnerable youth or proposed guardian may file a petition with the Family Court to 57
	88	+	appoint a guardian under this subchapter. The petition shall name the proposed guardian and 58
	89	+	describe why: 59
	90	+	“(1) The appointment is in the best interests of the vulnerable youth; 60
	91	+	“(2) Reunification of the vulnerable youth with one or both parents is not viable 61
	92	+	due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis under District law; and 62
	93	+	“(3) It is not in the best interests of the vulnerable youth to be returned to the 63
	94	+	vulnerable youth’s or vulnerable youth’s previous parents’ country of nationality or country of last 64
	95	+	habitual residence. 65
	96	+	“(b) The court shall determine whether it is in the vulnerable youth’s best interests that a 66
	97	+	guardian be appointed by considering the following factors: 67
	98	+	“(1) The vulnerable youth’s need for continuity of care and caretakers, and for 68
	99	+	timely integration into a stable home, taking into account the differences in the development and 69
	100	+	the concept of time of youth of different ages and nationalities; 70
	101	+	“(2) The physical, mental, and emotional health of all individuals involved to the 71
	102	+	degree that each affects the welfare of the vulnerable youth, the decisive consideration in regard 72
	103	+	to this factor being the physical, mental, and emotional needs of the vulnerable youth; 73
	104	+	“(3) Access to stability, safety, supports or services to remedy the impacts of prior 74
	105	+	abuse, abandonment, neglect, or a similar basis under District law; 75 ENGROSSED ORIGINAL
179	106
180	107
181	108
182	109		5
183	110
184		-	“(b) The guardian shall not be liable to third persons by reason of the relationship for acts
185		-	of the vulnerable youth.
186		-	“§ 16-2409. Additional available remedies.
187		-	“Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to prevent:
188		-	“(1) A proposed guardian or vulnerable youth from seeking any other remedy or
189		-	protections available under District law; or
190		-	“(2) The court from issuing judicial determinations similar to those in §16-
191		-	2399.07(b) in any other proceeding concerning a noncitizen under age 18.”.
192		-
193		-	Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement.
194		-	The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal
195		-	impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975,
196		-	approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).
197		-
198		-	Sec. 5. Effective date.
199		-	This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the
200		-	Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), and a 30-day period of congressional review
201		-	as provided in sections 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved
202		-	December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)).
	111	+	“(4) The quality of the interaction and interrelationship of the vulnerable youth with 76
	112	+	his or her parents, siblings, relatives, and caretakers, including the proposed guardian; and 77
	113	+	“(5) The vulnerable youth’s opinion of their own best interest. 78
	114	+	“(c) No fees shall be charged for a petition filed under this subchapter. 79
	115	+	“§ 16-2399.03. Parties. 80
	116	+	“Parties to a guardianship proceeding shall be the vulnerable youth, the proposed guardian, 81
	117	+	and the vulnerable youth’s parents. The court may, at its discretion, on its own motion, or in 82
	118	+	response to a motion for joinder or intervention, join additional parties to a guardianship 83
	119	+	proceeding. 84
	120	+	“§ 16-2399.04 Timing and notice. 85
	121	+	“(a) When a petition for guardianship is filed, the court shall promptly set a time for an 86
	122	+	adjudicatory hearing, as soon as administratively feasible, and shall cause notice thereof to be 87
	123	+	given to all parties and their attorneys. 88
	124	+	“(b) When it is appropriate to the proper disposition of the case, the court may direct the 89
	125	+	service of a summons upon other persons. 90
	126	+	“(c) If personal service under this section cannot be effected, then notice shall be made 91
	127	+	constructively pursuant to rules of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. 92
	128	+	“16-2399.05. Conduct of the hearings. 93
	129	+	“(a) All hearings and proceedings conducted pursuant to this subchapter shall be held by a 94
	130	+	judge, without a jury. 95 ENGROSSED ORIGINAL
203	131
204	132
205	133
206		-	______________________________
207		-	Chairman
208		-	Council of the District of Columbia
	134	+	6
	135	+
	136	+	“(b) All hearings and proceedings conducted pursuant to this subchapter shall be recorded 96
	137	+	by appropriate means. 97
	138	+	“16-2399.06. Adjudicatory hearings. 98
	139	+	“(a) The court shall begin the adjudicatory hearing by determining whether all parties are 99
	140	+	present and whether proper notice of the hearing has been given. 100
	141	+	“(b) All parties have the right to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses. 101
	142	+	“(c) The court shall hear evidence presented by the parties and the burden of proof shall 102
	143	+	rest upon the proposed guardian or vulnerable youth. 103
	144	+	“(d) Every party shall have the right to present evidence, to be heard on his or her own 104
	145	+	behalf, and to cross-examine witnesses called by another party. 105
	146	+	“(e) All evidence which is relevant, material, and competent to the issues before the court 106
	147	+	shall be admitted. 107
	148	+	“(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 14-306 and 14-307, neither the spouse or 108
	149	+	domestic partner privilege nor the physician/client or mental health professional/client privilege 109
	150	+	shall be a ground for excluding evidence in any proceeding brought under this subchapter. 110
	151	+	“(g) The court may enter, modify, or terminate a guardianship order after considering all 111
	152	+	of the evidence presented, and after making a determination based upon a preponderance of the 112
	153	+	evidence that creation, modification, or termination of the guardianship order is in the vulnerable 113
	154	+	youth’s best interests. If the court does not find that sufficient grounds exist to create, modify, or 114
	155	+	terminate a guardianship order, the petition may be dismissed. 115 ENGROSSED ORIGINAL
209	156
210	157
211	158
	159	+	7
212	160
213		-
214		-	_________________________________
215		-	Mayor
216		-	District of Columbia
	161	+	“§ 16-2399.07. Order appointing a guardian of a vulnerable youth. 116
	162	+	“(a) After consideration of all the relevant, material, and competent evidence, the court, 117
	163	+	which shall be acting as a juvenile court, shall issue an order establishing a guardianship if the 118
	164	+	court finds that the guardianship is in the vulnerable youth’s best interests. 119
	165	+	“(b) After the guardianship is established, upon request by the proposed guardian or the 120
	166	+	vulnerable youth, the court shall, if the court finds that the allegations in the petition pursuant to 121
	167	+	§16-2399.02(a) are supported by a preponderance of the evidence, enter a guardianship order 122
	168	+	containing the following judicial determinations supported by relevant statutory citations and 123
	169	+	findings of fact: 124
	170	+	“(1) Where the identity is known, the specific identity of the parent or parents; 125
	171	+	“(2) That the vulnerable youth is dependent on the court and has been placed under 126
	172	+	the care and custody of an individual or entity appointed by the court through the appointment of 127
	173	+	a guardian; 128
	174	+	“(3) That reunification of the vulnerable youth with one or both parents is not viable 129
	175	+	due to abuse, abandonment, neglect or similar basis under District law; and 130
	176	+	“(4) That it is not in the best interest of the vulnerable youth to be returned to the 131
	177	+	vulnerable youth or vulnerable youth’s parents’ country of nationality or last habitual residence. 132
	178	+	“(c) The court may, upon motion of a party, modify or terminate a guardianship order when 133
	179	+	the modification or termination of the guardianship order is in the vulnerable youth’s best 134
	180	+	interests. 135 ENGROSSED ORIGINAL
217	181
218	182
219	183
	184	+	8
220	185
	186	+	“(d) The entry of a guardianship order under this subchapter shall not impinge on the 136
	187	+	vulnerable youth’s fundamental rights to make their own medical, educational, financial, or other 137
	188	+	such decisions. 138
	189	+	“(e) A guardianship order entered under this subchapter shall automatically terminate when 139
	190	+	the youth reaches age 21. 140
	191	+	“§ 16-2399.08 Effect of guardianship order. 141
	192	+	“(a) Unless the court specifies other rights and responsibilities, the guardian shall have 142
	193	+	the following rights and responsibilities concerning the vulnerable youth: 143
	194	+	“(1) The guardian shall ensure that the legal rights of the vulnerable youth are not 144
	195	+	violated; 145
	196	+	“(2) The guardian shall provide care and support to the vulnerable youth to 146
	197	+	promote the youth's stability and wellness; and 147
	198	+	“(3) The guardianship will promote the physical, mental, and emotional health of 148
	199	+	the vulnerable youth. 149
	200	+	“(b) The guardian shall not be liable to third persons by reason of the relationship for acts 150
	201	+	of the vulnerable youth. 151
	202	+	“§ 16-2409. Additional available remedies. 152
	203	+	“Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to prevent: 153 ENGROSSED ORIGINAL
	204	+
	205	+
	206	+
	207	+	9
	208	+
	209	+	“(1) A proposed guardian or vulnerable youth from seeking any other remedy or 154
	210	+	protections available under District law; or 155
	211	+	“(2) The court from issuing judicial determinations similar to those in §16-156
	212	+	2399.07(b) in any other proceeding concerning a noncitizen under age 18.”. 157
	213	+	Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement. 158
	214	+	The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal 159
	215	+	impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, 160
	216	+	approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 161
	217	+	Sec. 5. Effective date. 162
	218	+	This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 163
	219	+	Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as 164
	220	+	provided in sections 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 165
	221	+	24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of 166
	222	+	Columbia Register. 167