District Of Columbia 2023-2024 Regular Session

District Of Columbia Council Bill B25-0386 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	~~ENROLLED~~ ORIGINAL
	1	+	ENGROSSED ORIGINAL
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6	6		1
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9		-	AN ACT
10		-
11		-	______________
12		-
13		-
14		-	IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
15		-
16		-	___________________________
17		-
18		-
19		-	To amend, on a temporary basis, Chapter 3 of Title 13 of the District of Columbia Official Code
20		-	to provide that publication may be substituted for personal service of process for
21		-	appointments of a vulnerable youth guardian in certain circumstances; and to amend
22		-	Chapter 23 of Title 16 of the District of Columbia Official Code to authorize the Family
23		-	Division of the Superior Court to appoint, modify, and terminate a new class of legal
24		-	guardianship for vulnerable youth.
25		-
26		-	BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
27		-	act may be cited as the “Vulnerable Youth Guardianship Protection Temporary Amendment Act
28		-	of 2023”.
29		-
30		-	Sec. 2. Section 13-336(b) of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended as
31		-	follows:
32		-	(a) Paragraph (7) is amended by striking the phrase “; and” and inserting a semicolon in
33		-	its place.
34		-	(b) Paragraph (8) is amended by striking the period and inserting the phrase “; and” in its
35		-	place.
36		-	(c) A new paragraph (9) is added to read as follows:
37		-	“(9) actions for the appointment of a vulnerable youth guardian under Subchapter
38		-	VI of Chapter 23 of Title 16 of the District of Columbia Official Code.”.
39		-
40		-	Sec. 3. Chapter 23 of Title 16 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended as
41		-	follows:
42		-	(a) The table of contents is amended by adding the following at the end:
43		-	“Subchapter VI. Vulnerable Youth Guardian.
44		-	“§ 16-2399.01. Definitions.
45		-	“§ 16-2399.02. Guardianship petition.
46		-	“§ 16-2399.03. Parties. ENROLLED ORIGINAL
	9	+	A BILL 1
	10	+	2
	11	+	25-386 3
	12	+	4
	13	+	IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 5
	14	+	6
	15	+	__________________ 7
	16	+	8
	17	+	9
	18	+	To amend, on a temporary basis, Chapter 3 of Title 13 of the District of Columbia Official Code, 10
	19	+	to include appointments of a vulnerable youth guardian under legal actions that may have 11
	20	+	published notice in substitution of personal service of process, and to amend Chapter 23 12
	21	+	of Title 16 of the District of Columbia Official Code to authorize the Family Division of 13
	22	+	the Superior Court to appoint, modify, and terminate a new class of legal guardianship for 14
	23	+	vulnerable youth. 15
	24	+	16
	25	+	BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That t his 17
	26	+	act may be cited as the “Vulnerable Youth Guardianship Protection Temporary Amendment Act 18
	27	+	of 2023”. 19
	28	+	Sec. 2. Section 13-336(b) of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended as 20
	29	+	follows: 21
	30	+	(a) Paragraph (7) is amended by striking the phrase “; and” and inserting a semicolon in 22
	31	+	its place. 23
	32	+	(b) Paragraph (8) is amended by striking the period and inserting the phrase “; and” in its 24
	33	+	place. 25
	34	+	(c) A new paragraph (9) is added to read as follows: 26 ENGROSSED ORIGINAL
47	35
48	36
49	37
50	38
51	39		2
52	40
53	41
54		-	“§ 16-2399.04. Timing and notice.
55		-	“§ 16-2399.05. Conduct of hearings.
56		-	“§ 16-2399.06. Adjudicatory hearings.
57		-	“§ 16-2399.07. Order appointing a guardian of a vulnerable youth.
58		-	“§ 16-2399.08. Effect of guardianship order
59		-	“§ 16-2399.09. Additional available remedies.”.
60		-	(b) A new Subchapter VI is added to read as follows:
61		-	“Subchapter VI. Vulnerable Youth Guardian.
62		-	“§ 16-2399.01. Definitions.
63		-	“For purposes of this subchapter, the term:
64		-	“(1) “Guardian” means a person designated by the court pursuant to this subchapter
65		-	as the guardian of a vulnerable youth.
66		-	“(2) “Guardianship order” means the court document that establishes legal
67		-	guardianship and enumerates the guardian’s rights and responsibilities concerning the care and
68		-	custody of the vulnerable youth.
69		-	“(3) “Noncitizen” means a person who is not a United States citizen.
70		-	“(4) “Proposed guardian” means a person seeking to be appointed guardian of a
71		-	vulnerable youth. The term “proposed guardian” includes a business or nonprofit entity, public
72		-	corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or other legal
73		-	entity, whether or not a citizen or domiciliary of the District of Columbia and whether or not
74		-	organized under the laws of the District of Columbia.
75		-	“(5) “Similar basis” means conditions that have an effect on a vulnerable youth
76		-	comparable to abuse, neglect, or abandonment, including the death of a parent.
77		-	“(6) “Vulnerable youth” means an unmarried noncitizen who is at least 18 but
78		-	younger than 21 years old.
79		-	“§ 16-2399.02. Guardianship petition.
80		-	“(a) A vulnerable youth or proposed guardian may file a petition with the Family Division
81		-	of the Superior Court to appoint a guardian under this subchapter. The petition shall name the
82		-	proposed guardian and describe why:
83		-	“(1) The appointment is in the best interests of the vulnerable youth;
84		-	“(2) Reunification of the vulnerable youth with one or both parents is not viable
85		-	due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis under District law; and
86		-	“(3) It is not in the best interests of the vulnerable youth to be returned to the
87		-	vulnerable youth’s or vulnerable youth’s previous parents’ country of nationality or country of last
88		-	habitual residence.
89		-	“(b) The court shall determine whether it is in the vulnerable youth’s best interests that a
90		-	guardian be appointed by considering the following factors: ENROLLED ORIGINAL
	42	+	“(9) actions for the appointment of a vulnerable youth guardian under Subchapter 27
	43	+	VI of Chapter 23 of Title 16 of the District of Columbia Official Code.”. 28
	44	+	29
	45	+	30
	46	+	Sec. 3. Chapter 23 of Title 16 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended as 31
	47	+	follows: 32
	48	+	(a) The table of contents is amended by adding a new designation for Subchapter VI to 33
	49	+	read as follows: 34
	50	+	“Subchapter VI. Vulnerable Youth Guardian. 35
	51	+	“§ 16-2399.01. Definitions. 36
	52	+	“§ 16-2399.02. Guardianship petition. 37
	53	+	“§ 16-2399.03. Parties. 38
	54	+	“§ 16-2399.04. Timing and notice. 39
	55	+	“§ 16-2399.05. Conduct of hearings. 40
	56	+	“§ 16-2399.06. Adjudicatory hearings. 41
	57	+	“§ 16-2399.07. Order appointing a guardian of a vulnerable youth. 42
	58	+	“§ 16-2399.08. Effect of guardianship order 43
	59	+	“§ 16-2399.09. Additional available remedies.”. 44
	60	+	(b) A new Subchapter VI is added to read as follows: 45
	61	+	“Subchapter VI. Vulnerable Youth Guardian. 46 ENGROSSED ORIGINAL
91	62
92	63
93	64
94	65
95	66		3
96	67
97	68
98		-	“(1) The vulnerable youth’s need for continuity of care and caretakers, and for
99		-	timely integration into a stable home, taking into account the differences in the development and
100		-	the concept of time of youth of different ages and nationalities;
101		-	“(2) The physical, mental, and emotional health of all individuals involved to the
102		-	degree that each affects the welfare of the vulnerable youth, the decisive consideration in regard
103		-	to this factor being the physical, mental, and emotional needs of the vulnerable youth;
104		-	“(3) Access to stability, safety, supports or services to remedy the impacts of prior
105		-	abuse, abandonment, neglect, or a similar basis under District law;
106		-	“(4) The quality of the interaction and interrelationship of the vulnerable youth with
107		-	his or her parents, siblings, relatives, and caretakers, including the proposed guardian; and
108		-	“(5) The vulnerable youth’s opinion of their own best interest.
109		-	“§ 16-2399.03. Parties.
110		-	“Parties to a guardianship proceeding shall be the vulnerable youth, the proposed guardian,
111		-	and the vulnerable youth’s parents. The court may, at its discretion, on its own motion, or in
112		-	response to a motion for joinder or intervention, join additional parties to a guardianship
113		-	proceeding.
114		-	“§ 16-2399.04 Timing and notice.
115		-	“(a) When a petition for guardianship is filed, the court shall promptly set a time for an
116		-	adjudicatory hearing, as soon as administratively possible, shall cause notice thereof to be given
117		-	to all parties and their attorneys.
118		-	“(b) When it is appropriate to the proper disposition of the case, the court may direct the
119		-	service of a summons upon other persons.
120		-	“(c) If personal service under this section cannot be effected, then notice shall be made
121		-	constructively pursuant to rules of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
122		-	“16-2399.05. Conduct of the hearings.
123		-	“(a) All hearings and proceedings conducted pursuant to this subchapter shall be held by a
124		-	judge, without a jury.
125		-	“(b) All hearings and proceedings conducted pursuant to this subchapter shall be recorded
126		-	by appropriate means.
127		-	“16-2399.06. Adjudicatory hearings.
128		-	“(a) The court shall begin the adjudicatory hearing by determining whether all parties are
129		-	present and whether proper notice of the hearing has been given.
130		-	“(b) All parties have the right to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses.
131		-	“(c) The court shall hear evidence presented by the proposed guardian or vulnerable youth
132		-	and the burden of proof shall rest upon the proposed guardian or vulnerable youth.
133		-	“(d) Every party shall have the right to present evidence, to be heard on his or her own
134		-	behalf, and to cross-examine witnesses called by another party. ENROLLED ORIGINAL
	69	+	“§ 16-2399.01. Definitions. 47
	70	+	“For purposes of this subchapter, the term: 48
	71	+	“(1) “Guardian” means a person designated by the court pursuant to this subchapter 49
	72	+	as the guardian of a vulnerable youth. 50
	73	+	(2) “Guardianship order” means the court document that establishes legal 51
	74	+	guardianship and enumerates the guardian’s rights and responsibilities concerning the care and 52
	75	+	custody of the vulnerable youth. 53
	76	+	“(2) “Noncitizen” means a person who is not a United States citizen. 54
	77	+	“(3) “Proposed guardian” means a person seeking to be appointed guardian of a 55
	78	+	vulnerable youth. The term “proposed guardian” includes a business or nonprofit entity, public 56
	79	+	corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or other legal 57
	80	+	entity whether or not a citizen or domiciliary of the District of Columbia and whether or not 58
	81	+	organized under the laws of the District of Columbia. 59
	82	+	“(4) “Similar basis” means conditions that have an effect on a vulnerable youth 60
	83	+	comparable to abuse, neglect, or abandonment, including the death of a parent. 61
	84	+	“(5) “Vulnerable youth” means an unmarried noncitizen who is at least 18 but 62
	85	+	younger than 21 years old. 63
	86	+	“§ 16-2399.02. Guardianship petition. 64 ENGROSSED ORIGINAL
135	87
136	88
137	89
138	90
139	91		4
140	92
141	93
142		-	“(e) All evidence which is relevant, material, and competent to the issues before the court
143		-	shall be admitted.
144		-	“(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 14-306 and 14-307, neither the spouse or
145		-	domestic partner privilege nor the physician/client or mental health professional/client privilege
146		-	shall be a ground for excluding evidence in any proceeding brought under this subchapter.
147		-	“(g) The court may enter, modify, or terminate a guardianship order after considering all
148		-	of the evidence presented, and after making a determination based upon a preponderance of the
149		-	evidence that creation, modification, or termination of the guardianship order is in the vulnerable
150		-	youth’s best interests. If the court does not find that sufficient grounds exist to create, modify, or
151		-	terminate a guardianship order, the petition may be dismissed.
152		-	“§ 16-2399.07. Order appointing a guardian of a vulnerable youth.
153		-	“(a) After consideration of all the relevant, material, and competent evidence, the court
154		-	shall issue an order establishing a guardianship if the court finds that the guardianship is in the
155		-	vulnerable youth’s best interests.
156		-	“(b) After the guardianship is established, upon request by the proposed guardian or the
157		-	vulnerable youth, the court shall, if the court finds that the allegations in the petition pursuant to
158		-	§16-2399.02(a) are supported by a preponderance of the evidence, enter a guardianship order
159		-	containing the following judicial determinations supported by relevant statutory citations and
160		-	findings of fact:
161		-	“(1) Where the identity is known, the specific identity of the parent or parents;
162		-	“(2) That the vulnerable youth is dependent on the court and has been placed under
163		-	the care and custody of an individual or entity appointed by the court through the appointment of
164		-	a guardian;
165		-	“(3) That reunification of the vulnerable youth with one or both parents is not viable
166		-	due to abuse, abandonment, neglect, or similar basis under District law; and
167		-	“(4) That it is not in the best interest of the vulnerable youth to be returned to the
168		-	vulnerable youth or vulnerable youth’s parents’ country of nationality or last habitual residence.
169		-	“(c) The court may, upon motion of a party, modify or terminate a guardianship order when
170		-	the modification or termination of the guardianship order is in the vulnerable youth’s best
171		-	interests.
172		-	“(d) The entry of a guardianship order under this subchapter shall not impinge on the
173		-	vulnerable youth’s fundamental rights to make their own medical, educational, financial, or other
174		-	such decisions.
175		-	“(e) A guardianship order entered under this subchapter shall automatically terminate when
176		-	the youth reaches age 21.
177		-	“§ 16-2399.08 Effect of guardianship order.
178		-	“(a) Unless the court specifies other rights and responsibilities, the guardian shall have
179		-	the following rights and responsibilities concerning the vulnerable youth: ENROLLED ORIGINAL
	94	+	“(a) A vulnerable youth or proposed guardian may file a petition with the Family Court to 65
	95	+	appoint a guardian under this subchapter. The petition shall name the proposed guardian and 66
	96	+	describe why: 67
	97	+	“(1) The appointment is in the best interests of the vulnerable youth; 68
	98	+	“(2) Reunification of the vulnerable youth with one or both parents is not viable 69
	99	+	due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis under District law; and 70
	100	+	“(3) It is not in the best interests of the vulnerable youth to be returned to the 71
	101	+	vulnerable youth’s or vulnerable youth’s previous parents’ country of nationality or country of last 72
	102	+	habitual residence. 73
	103	+	“(b) The court shall determine whether it is in the vulnerable youth’s best interests that a 74
	104	+	guardian be appointed by considering the following factors: 75
	105	+	“(1) The vulnerable youth’s need for continuity of care and caretakers, and for 76
	106	+	timely integration into a stable home, taking into account the differences in the development and 77
	107	+	the concept of time of youth of different ages and nationalities; 78
	108	+	“(2) The physical, mental, and emotional health of all individuals involved to the 79
	109	+	degree that each affects the welfare of the vulnerable youth, the decisive consideration in regard 80
	110	+	to this factor being the physical, mental, and emotional needs of the vulnerable youth; 81
	111	+	“(3) Access to stability, safety, supports or services to remedy the impacts of prior 82
	112	+	abuse, abandonment, neglect, or a similar basis under District law; 83 ENGROSSED ORIGINAL
180	113
181	114
182	115
183	116
184	117		5
185	118
186	119
187		-	“(1) The guardian shall ensure that the legal rights of the vulnerable youth are not
188		-	violated;
189		-	“(2) The guardian shall provide care and support to the vulnerable youth to
190		-	promote the youth's stability and wellness; and
191		-	“(3) The guardianship will promote the physical, mental, and emotional health of
192		-	the vulnerable youth.
193		-	“(b) The guardian is not liable to third persons by reason of the relationship for acts of the
194		-	vulnerable youth.
195		-	“§ 16-2409. Additional available remedies.
196		-	“Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to prevent:
197		-	“(1) A proposed guardian or vulnerable youth from seeking any other remedy or
198		-	protections available under District law; or
199		-	“(2) The court from issuing judicial determinations similar to those in §16-
200		-	2399.07(b) in any other proceeding concerning a noncitizen under age 18.”.
201		-
202		-	Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement.
203		-	The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement of the Budget Director as the fiscal impact
204		-	statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved
205		-	October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).
206		-
207		-	Sec. 5. Effective date.
208		-	(a) This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by
209		-	the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review
210		-	as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved
211		-
212		-
213		-
214		-
215		-
216		-
217		-
218		-
219		-
220		-
221		-
222		-
223		-	ENROLLED ORIGINAL
	120	+	“(4) The quality of the interaction and interrelationship of the vulnerable youth with 84
	121	+	his or her parents, siblings, relatives, and caretakers, including the proposed guardian; and 85
	122	+	“(5) The vulnerable youth’s opinion of their own best interest. 86
	123	+	“§ 16-2399.03. Parties. 87
	124	+	“Parties to a guardianship proceeding shall be the vulnerable youth, the proposed guardian, 88
	125	+	and the vulnerable youth’s parents. The court may, at its discretion, on its own motion, or in 89
	126	+	response to a motion for joinder or intervention, join additional parties to a guardianship 90
	127	+	proceeding. 91
	128	+	“§ 16-2399.04 Timing and notice. 92
	129	+	“(a) When a petition for guardianship is filed, the court shall promptly set a time for an 93
	130	+	adjudicatory hearing, as soon as administratively possible, shall cause notice thereof to be given 94
	131	+	to all parties and their attorneys. 95
	132	+	“(b) When it is appropriate to the proper disposition of the case, the court may direct the 96
	133	+	service of a summons upon other persons. 97
	134	+	“(c) If personal service under this section cannot be effected, then notice shall be made 98
	135	+	constructively pursuant to rules of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. 99
	136	+	“16-2399.05. Conduct of the hearings. 100
	137	+	“(a) All hearings and proceedings conducted pursuant to this subchapter shall be held by a 101
	138	+	judge, without a jury. 102 ENGROSSED ORIGINAL
224	139
225	140
226	141
227	142
228	143		6
229	144
230	145
231		-	December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the
232		-	District of Columbia Register.
233		-	(b) This act shall expire after 225 days of its having taken effect.
234		-
235		-
236		-
237		-	______________________________
238		-	Chairman
239		-	Council of the District of Columbia
	146	+	“(b) All hearings and proceedings conducted pursuant to this subchapter shall be recorded 103
	147	+	by appropriate means. 104
	148	+	“16-2399.06. Adjudicatory hearings. 105
	149	+	“(a) The court shall begin the adjudicatory hearing by determining whether all parties are 106
	150	+	present and whether proper notice of the hearing has been given. 107
	151	+	“(b) All parties have the right to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses. 108
	152	+	“(c) The court shall hear evidence presented by the proposed guardian or vulnerable youth 109
	153	+	and the burden of proof shall rest upon the proposed guardian or vulnerable youth. 110
	154	+	“(d) Every party shall have the right to present evidence, to be heard on his or her own 111
	155	+	behalf, and to cross-examine witnesses called by another party. 112
	156	+	“(e) All evidence which is relevant, material, and competent to the issues before the court 113
	157	+	shall be admitted. 114
	158	+	“(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 14-306 and 14-307, neither the spouse or 115
	159	+	domestic partner privilege nor the physician/client or mental health professional/client privilege 116
	160	+	shall be a ground for excluding evidence in any proceeding brought under this subchapter. 117
	161	+	“(g) The court may enter, modify, or terminate a guardianship order after considering all 118
	162	+	of the evidence presented, and after making a determination based upon a preponderance of the 119
	163	+	evidence that creation, modification, or termination of the guardianship order is in the vulnerable 120 ENGROSSED ORIGINAL
240	164
241	165
242	166
243	167
	168	+	7
244	169
245		-	_________________________________
246		-	Mayor
247		-	District of Columbia
248	170
	171	+	youth’s best interests. If the court does not find that sufficient grounds exist to create, modify, or 121
	172	+	terminate a guardianship order, the petition may be dismissed. 122
	173	+	“§ 16-2399.07. Order appointing a guardian of a vulnerable youth. 123
	174	+	“(a) After consideration of all the relevant, material, and competent evidence, the court 124
	175	+	shall issue an order establishing a guardianship if the court finds that the guardianship is in the 125
	176	+	vulnerable youth’s best interests. 126
	177	+	“(b) After the guardianship is established, upon request by the proposed guardian or the 127
	178	+	vulnerable youth, the court shall, if the court finds that the allegations in the petition pursuant to 128
	179	+	§16-2399.02(a) are supported by a preponderance of the evidence, enter a guardianship order 129
	180	+	containing the following judicial determinations supported by relevant statutory citations and 130
	181	+	findings of fact: 131
	182	+	“(1) Where the identity is known, the specific identity of the parent or parents; 132
	183	+	“(2) That the vulnerable youth is dependent on the court and has been placed under 133
	184	+	the care and custody of an individual or entity appointed by the court through the appointment of 134
	185	+	a guardian; 135
	186	+	“(3) That reunification of the vulnerable youth with one or both parents is not viable 136
	187	+	due to abuse, abandonment, neglect or similar basis under District law; and 137
	188	+	“(4) That it is not in the best interest of the vulnerable youth to be returned to the 138
	189	+	vulnerable youth or vulnerable youth’s parents’ country of nationality or last habitual residence. 139 ENGROSSED ORIGINAL
	190	+
	191	+
	192	+
	193	+
	194	+	8
	195	+
	196	+
	197	+	“(c) The court may, upon motion of a party, modify or terminate a guardianship order when 140
	198	+	the modification or termination of the guardianship order is in the vulnerable youth’s best 141
	199	+	interests. 142
	200	+	“(d) The entry of a guardianship order under this subchapter shall not impinge on the 143
	201	+	vulnerable youth’s fundamental rights to make their own medical, educational, financial, or other 144
	202	+	such decisions. 145
	203	+	“(e) A guardianship order entered under this subchapter shall automatically terminate when 146
	204	+	the youth reaches age 21. 147
	205	+	“§ 16-2399.08 Effect of guardianship order 148
	206	+	“(a) Unless the court specifies other rights and responsibilities, the guardian shall have 149
	207	+	the following rights and responsibilities concerning the vulnerable youth: 150
	208	+	“(1) The guardian shall ensure that the legal rights of the vulnerable youth are not 151
	209	+	violated; 152
	210	+	“(2) The guardian shall provide care and support to the vulnerable youth to 153
	211	+	promote the youth's stability and wellness; and 154
	212	+	“(3) The guardianship will promote the physical, mental, and emotional health of 155
	213	+	the vulnerable youth. 156
	214	+	“(b) The guardian is not liable to third persons by reason of the relationship for acts of the 157
	215	+	vulnerable youth. 158 ENGROSSED ORIGINAL
	216	+
	217	+
	218	+
	219	+
	220	+	9
	221	+
	222	+
	223	+	“§ 16-2409. Additional available remedies. 159
	224	+	“Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to prevent: 160
	225	+	“(1) A proposed guardian or vulnerable youth from seeking any other remedy or 161
	226	+	protections available under District law; or 162
	227	+	“(2) The court from issuing judicial determinations similar to those in §16-163
	228	+	2399.07(b) in any other proceeding concerning a noncitizen under age 18.”. 164
	229	+	Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement. 165
	230	+	The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement of the Budget Director as the fiscal impact 166
	231	+	statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved 167
	232	+	October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 168
	233	+	Sec. 5. Effective date. 169
	234	+	(a) This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by 170
	235	+	the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of Congressional review 171
	236	+	as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 172
	237	+	24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of 173
	238	+	Columbia Register. 174
	239	+	(b) This act shall expire after 225 days of its having taken effect. 175