District Of Columbia 2023-2024 Regular Session

District Of Columbia Council Bill B25-0745 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1
2	2
3	3
4	4	OFFICE OF COUNCILMEMBER ANITA BONDS
5	5	CHAIR, COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION AND LABOR
6	6	THE JOHN A. WILSON BUILDING
7	7	1350 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW
8	8	WASHINGTON, DC 20004
9	9	March 11, 2024
10	10
11	11	Nyasha Smith, Secretary
12	12	Council of the District of Columbia
13	13	1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
14	14	Washington, DC 20004
15	15
16	16	Dear Secretary Smith,
17	17
18	18	Today, I am introducing the “Youth Work Permit and Employment Protection Act of 2024.”
19	19	Please find enclosed a signed copy of the legislation. Additionally, I am requesting that this bill be
20	20	referred to the Committee on Executive Administration and Labor due to its oversight of the
21	21	Department of Employment Services and its jurisdiction over Title 32 of the D.C. Code.
22	22
23	23	Nationwide, illegal child labor is on the rise. According to the US Department of Labor, the number
24	24	of minors found to be employed in violation of child labor laws has increased by over 315% over
25	25	the last decade, from 1,393 minors in Fiscal Year 2013 to 5,792 minors in Fiscal Year 2023.
26	26	1
27	27
28	28	Unfortunately, the challenge of estimating how many violations go unreported means that the true
29	29	extent of illegal child labor is likely much worse. At the same time, state legislatures across the nation
30	30	have taken action to roll back laws that restrict child labor and protect children from harmful labor
31	31	practices. In just 2022 and 2023, at least 11 states introduced legislation that weakens protections for
32	32	employed minors.
33	33	2, 3
34	34	In several states, policymakers have enacted laws that extend working hours for
35	35	minors, lift restrictions on certain occupations, and remove requirements for work permits and age
36	36	verification.
37	37
38	38	Against the backdrop of this national debate on child labor policy, and the increasing prevalence of
39	39	illegal child labor, the District must take a close look at its own laws governing the employment of
40	40	minors. D.C. Code 32-201 to 32-224,
41	41	4
42	42	also known as “An Act to regulate the employment of minors
43	43	within the District of Columbia”, prohibits minors under 14 from gainful employment. Alongside
44	44	other protections for employed minors, it requires special ‘youth work permits’, restricts the hours
45	45	and occupations for employed minors, sets special rules for minors employed in the performing arts,
46	46	and establishes penalties for violations. Unfortunately, this part of the Code has not been
47	47	substantially amended since 1976 (and largely remains unchanged since it was originally enacted by
48	48
49	49	1
50	50	US Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, WHD by the Numbers 2022 “Child Labor,”
51	51	https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/data/charts/child-labor.
52	52	2
53	53	Jennifer Sherer and Nina Mast, Child labor laws are under attack in states across the country (Washington D.C.:
54	54	Economic Policy Institute, 2023), 6-7.
55	55	3
56	56	Forrest Saunders, “Could Florida become next state to loosen child labor laws?”
57	57	4
58	58	https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/titles/32/chapters/2/subchapters/I Congress in 1928), resulting in serious problems that completely undermine the law’s strong
59	59	protections against harmful child labor practices.
60	60
61	61	Most disturbing among the current law’s many problems is that there is no existing District
62	62	agency charged with monitoring, implementing, and enforcing our child labor protections.
63	63	The law places responsibility on the ‘Board of Education’, an independent agency that existed prior
64	64	to Mayoral control of the District’s school system in 2007. Since then, the District’s school system
65	65	(including DC Public Schools and DC Public Charter Schools) has continued to issue ‘youth work
66	66	permits’, but implementation has been fractured and inconsistent in the absence of a clear legal
67	67	framework and centralized oversight. Importantly, there is no clear legal mandate for a District
68	68	agency to investigate child labor violations, assess penalties against employers, or conduct public
69	69	education on the law’s requirements.
70	70
71	71	This proposed bill will modernize the District’s child labor law by re-writing its provisions in plain,
72	72	clear language, in-line with our modern legislative drafting conventions. It places responsibility for
73	73	implementing and enforcing the law with the Department of Employment Services (DOES), the
74	74	District’s lead labor agency; DOES is well-equipped to oversee the issuance of ‘youth work permits’,
75	75	maintain records on youth employment, conduct public education campaigns, investigate violations,
76	76	and assess administrative penalties against employers who illegally employ minors. The proposed bill
77	77	also clarifies the Office of the Attorney General’s role to act in the public interest by bringing civil
78	78	suits against employers who violate the law, in-line with their role in enforcing other labor
79	79	protections in District law.
80	80
81	81	Importantly, this proposed legislation does not seek to permanently address all policy
82	82	questions related to child labor; rather, it will establish a functioning framework for the
83	83	District to fully implement our protections for employed minors, allowing future
84	84	policymakers to continually update and improve the law. However, I look forward to receiving
85	85	feedback from experts and stakeholders during the legislative process so that we may incorporate
86	86	their recommendations for best practices.
87	87
88	88	It’s time for the District to reaffirm our strong commitment to protecting our children from harmful
89	89	employment practices. Each year, we make significant investments into our children’s education,
90	90	skills training, and career readiness; it is essential that we ensure these investments are
91	91	complemented with a well-regulated and transparent system governing their employment. I strongly
92	92	urge all my Council colleagues to support me in taking quick action to correct this serious lapse in
93	93	our law, so that the District may proudly guarantee a safe working environment for our employed
94	94	minors.
95	95
96	96
97	97	Thank you,
98	98
99	99
100	100	Anita Bonds
101	101	At-Large Councilmember
102	102	Chair, Committee on Executive Administration and Labor _______________________ 1
103	103	Councilmember Anita Bonds 2
104	104	3
105	105	4
106	106	A BILL 5
107	107	___________ 6
108	108	7
109	109	IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 8
110	110	______________________ 9
111	111	10
112	112	11
113	113	To prohibit the employment of minors younger than 14 years of age, to regulate the hours of 12
114	114	employment of minors between the ages of 14 and 17, to require that employers post 13
115	115	notice of the regulations for employment of minors, to prohibit the employment of minors 14
116	116	in occupations deemed dangerous, to provide for the Mayor to issue rules identifying 15
117	117	certain places of employment and occupations deemed dangerous, to require the Mayor 16
118	118	to hold public hearings prior to issuing rules identifying certain places of employment 17
119	119	and occupations deemed dangerous, to require that employers procure a work permit or 18
120	120	theatrical employment permit for each minor employed, to require the Department of 19
121	121	Employment Services to issue work permits and theatrical employment permits to 20
122	122	minors, to require that the Department of Employment Services maintain records of 21
123	123	issued permits, to regulate the employment of minors in theatrical occupations, to require 22
124	124	that employers provide the Department of Employment Services with proof of an 23
125	125	employee’s age upon demand, to require that the Department of Employment Services 24
126	126	enforce this act and assess administrative penalties, to provide for the Department of 25
127	127	Employment Services to inspect workplaces where minors are employed, to provide for 26
128	128	the Department of Employment Services to revoke a minor’s work permit, to prohibit 27
129	129	business establishments from permitting minors to loiter during school hours, to provide 28
130	130	for the Attorney General to bring civil actions under this act, and to repeal An Act To 29
131	131	regulate the employment of minors within the District of Columbia. 30
132	132	31
133	133	BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 32
134	134	act may be cited as the “Youth Work Permit Modernization Act of 2024”. 33
135	135	Sec. 2. Definitions. 34
136	136	For the purposes of this act, the term: 35
137	137	(1) “Employ” includes to suffer or permit to work for renumeration, except that36
138	138	the term employ shall not include irregular or casual work usual to the home of an employer, 37
139	139	provided that the employment shall not be in connection with nor form a part of the business, 38
140	140	trade, profession, or occupation of the employer, and that such employment shall not be 39
141	141
142	142	specifically prohibited by a provision of this act or by a regulation promulgated pursuant to this 40
143	143	act. 41
144	144	(2) “Employable minor” means a minor who is at least 14 years of age. 42
145	145	(3) “Employer” means an individual, firm, association, or corporation that uses 43
146	146	the services of another individual for renumeration in the District, except that the term employer 44
147	147	shall not include the District government or the federal government. 45
148	148	(4) “Infant” means an individual younger than 12 months of age 46
149	149	(5) “Minor” means an individual younger than 18 years of age. 47
150	150	(6) “Department” means the Department of Employment Services. 48
151	151	(7) “Theatrical occupation” means participation in any of the following activities 49
152	152	for monetary remuneration, a gift, or other form of valuable consideration: 50
153	153	(A) Performance on the stage of a licensed theater within the District in a 51
154	154	professional theatrical production; 52
155	155	(B) Performance in a musical or dance recital or concert; 53
156	156	(C) Participation in a radio or television program; 54
157	157	(D) Participation in a motion picture, video, or other media production; 55
158	158	(E) Appearance as a fashion model; or 56
159	159	(F) Participation in a professional sports activity or circus. 57
160	160	Sec. 3. Employment of minors. 58
161	161	(a) A minor younger than 14 years of age shall not be employed in the District, except in 59
162	162	a theatrical occupation as authorized in section 9. 60
163	163	(b)(1) A minor who is 16 or 17 years of age shall not be employed for more than: 61
164	164	(A) 6 consecutive days in any one week; 62
165	165
166	166	(B) 48 hours in any one week; or 63
167	167	(C) 8 hours in any one day. 64
168	168	(2) A minor who is 14 or 15 years of age shall not be employed for more than: 65
169	169	(A) 3 hours on a school day, including Fridays; 66
170	170	(B) 8 hours on a non-school day; 67
171	171	(C) 18 hours in any one week when school is in session; or 68
172	172	(D) 40 hours in any one week when school is not in session. 69
173	173	(3) A minor who is 16 or 17 years of age shall not be employed before 6:00 a.m. 70
174	174	or after 10:00 p.m. of any day. 71
175	175	(4) A minor who is 14 or 15 years of age shall not be employed before 7:00 a.m. 72
176	176	or after 7:00 p.m. of any day; provided, that between June 1 and Labor Day when school is not in 73
177	177	session a minor 14 or 15 years of age may be employed until 9:00 p.m. 74
178	178	(5) An employable minor shall not be employed during school hours, unless the 75
179	179	employable minor has been excused from further attendance at school or allowed flexible school 76
180	180	hours pursuant to Article II, section 1 of An Act To provide for compulsory school attendance, 77
181	181	for the taking of a school census in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes, approved 78
182	182	February 4, 1925 (43 Stat. 806; D.C. Official Code § 38-202). 79
183	183	Sec. 4. Notice and recordkeeping. 80
184	184	(a)(1) An employer who employs a minor shall keep a notice of the requirements of this 81
185	185	act, and of any regulation promulgated by the Mayor pursuant to section 13, posted in a 82
186	186	conspicuous and accessible place in or about the premises at which the minor is employed. 83
187	187
188	188	(2) An employer who employs a minor shall keep a list of all minors employed, 84
189	189	and an accurate time record showing the hours each minor began and ended work each day, 85
190	190	accessible in the place of employment. 86
191	191	(3) The Department shall provide the notice required pursuant to paragraph (1) of 87
192	192	this subsection to an employer upon request, and shall include at minimum the following 88
193	193	information: 89
194	194	(A) The hours of work for minors as provided in section 3; 90
195	195	(B) The occupations prohibited to minors under Federal and District law 91
196	196	or regulations; and 92
197	197	(C) The minimum wages for minors. 93
198	198	Sec. 5. Employment dangerous or prejudicial to life prohibited; Mayor to hold public 94
199	199	hearing. 95
200	200	(a) A minor shall not be employed in a place of employment or in an occupation that the 96
201	201	U.S. Secretary of Labor, pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act, approved June 25, 1938 (29 97
202	202	U.S.C. § 201 et seq.), or the Mayor, pursuant to rulemaking, has determined is dangerous or 98
203	203	prejudicial to the life, health, safety, or welfare of minors. 99
204	204	(b) The Mayor, pursuant to Title I of the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure 100
205	205	Act, approved October 21, 1968 (82 Stat. 1204; D.C. Official Code § 2-501 et seq.), shall issue 101
206	206	rules identifying places of employment and occupations deemed dangerous or prejudicial to the 102
207	207	life, health, safety, or welfare of minors. In addition to the requirements of the District of 103
208	208	Columbia Administrative Procedure Act, approved October 21, 1968 (82 Stat. 1204; D.C. 104
209	209	Official Code § 2-501 et seq.), before adopting or repealing a rule authorized pursuant to this 105
210	210	subsection, the Mayor shall hold at least one public hearing on the proposed rule or repeal. 106
211	211
212	212	Sec. 6. Employment of minors in certain occupations prohibited. 107
213	213	(a) A minor shall not be employed in operating a freight or nonautomatic elevator, or in a 108
214	214	quarry, tunnel, or excavation. 109
215	215	(b) An employable minor younger than 16 years of age shall not be employed in any of 110
216	216	the following occupations: 111
217	217	(1) In the operation of machinery operated by power other than hand or foot 112
218	218	power; or 113
219	219	(2) In or assisting in oiling, wiping, or cleaning machinery. 114
220	220	(c) Subsection (b) of this section shall not apply to a vocational education program or 115
221	221	training administered or otherwise approved by the Mayor. 116
222	222	Sec. 7. Work permit required. 117
223	223	(a) No minor may be employed unless the employer procures a work permit or theatrical 118
224	224	permit pursuant to this act. 119
225	225	(b) The work permit or theatrical employment permit required by this act shall be issued 120
226	226	by the Department, and shall state the following information: 121
227	227	(1) The minor’s name, sex, date of birth, place of birth, place of residence, and 122
228	228	grade last completed, the kind of evidence of age accepted, and any other details necessary for 123
229	229	identification of the minor; 124
230	230	(2) A certification that all the requirements for issuing a work permit or theatrical 125
231	231	employment permit under the provisions of this act have been fulfilled, and the signature of the 126
232	232	person issuing the permit; 127
233	233	(3) The name and address of the employer for whom the work permit or theatrical 128
234	234	employment permit authorizes the minor to be employed, and the nature of the specific 129
235	235
236	236	occupation for which the work permit or theatrical employment permit authorizes the minor to be 130
237	237	employed; and 131
238	238	(4) A unique number assigned to the work permit or theatrical employment 132
239	239	permit, the date of its issue, and the signature of the minor for whom it is issued; provided, that a 133
240	240	theatrical employment permit issued pursuant to section 9 shall include the signature of the 134
241	241	parent or guardian, and agent if applicable, of the minor for whom it is issued. 135
242	242	(c)(1) For each work permit or theatrical employment permit issued, the Department shall 136
243	243	maintain a record containing a copy of the signed permit and a copy of any application materials, 137
244	244	including the evidence of age and the employer’s statement of intention to employ. 138
245	245	(2) An employer shall keep a work permit or theatrical permit issued pursuant to 139
246	246	this act on file at the place of employment, and such permit shall be accessible to an inspector or 140
247	247	other person authorized to enforce this act. 141
248	248	(d) A work permit or theatrical employment permit shall only be valid for the employer 142
249	249	and specific occupation designated on the permit. 143
250	250	Sec. 8. Work permit – application. 144
251	251	(a) Except as provided in section 9, the Department shall issue a work permit or theatrical 145
252	252	employment permit only upon application of the minor desiring employment, and upon 146
253	253	submission to and approval by the Department of the following: 147
254	254	(1) A statement signed by the prospective employer or the employer’s authorized 148
255	255	representative stating that the employer expects to give the minor employment, the specific 149
256	256	nature of the occupation in which the minor will be employed, and the number of hours per day 150
257	257	and of days per week that the minor will be employed; 151
258	258
259	259	(2) Evidence of the minor’s age, as required pursuant to subsection (b) of this 152
260	260	section; and 153
261	261	(3) If the minor is younger than 16 years of age, written consent of the minor’s 154
262	262	parent, guardian, or custodian specifying permission for employment. 155
263	263	(b) The Department shall accept the following forms of evidence as proof of a minor’s 156
264	264	age: 157
265	265	(1) A birth certificate or attested transcript issued by a registrar of vital statistics or 158
266	266	other officer charged with the duty of recording births; 159
267	267	(2) A record of age as given in the records of the school first attended by the 160
268	268	minor, if obtainable, or in the earliest available school census; 161
269	269	(3) A baptismal record or duly certified transcript thereof showing the date of 162
270	270	birth and place of baptism of the minor; or 163
271	271	(4) Other documentary evidence satisfactory to the Department, such as a 164
272	272	passport, showing the age of the minor. 165
273	273	Sec. 9. Theatrical employment permits for minors employed in theatrical occupations. 166
274	274	(a) A minor may be employed in or in connection with a theatrical occupation; provided 167
275	275	that the employer procures a theatrical employment permit, which shall be kept on file at the 168
276	276	place of employment and shall be accessible to an inspector or other person authorized to enforce 169
277	277	this act. 170
278	278	(b) An application for a theatrical employment permit shall be made by the parent or 171
279	279	guardian, and by the agent if applicable, of the minor to the Department. The Department shall 172
280	280	only issue a theatrical employment permit if the Department is satisfied that adequate provisions 173
281	281	have been made for the educational instruction of the minor, for safeguarding the minor’s health, 174
282	282
283	283	and for the proper supervision of the minor. The Department may require the employer to 175
284	284	provide the necessary resources to satisfy the requirements of this subsection. 176
285	285	(c) A minor shall not appear in more than 2 live performances in connection with a 177
286	286	theatrical occupation in one day, or more than 8 performances in one week. A minor shall not 178
287	287	appear in a live performance or otherwise be required to work in connection with a theatrical 179
288	288	occupation before 7:00 a.m. or after 11:30 p.m. 180
289	289	(d) A licensed practical nurse with substantial pediatric experience, or a registered nurse 181
290	290	who is a pediatric nurse practitioner, shall be provided for each 3 or fewer infants younger than 182
291	291	the age of 30 months. 183
292	292	(e) Within any 24-hour period, the time during which a minor 7 years of age or younger is 184
293	293	permitted at the place of employment in a theatrical occupation shall be limited as follows: 185
294	294	(1) An infant younger than the age of 6 months shall not remain at the place of 186
295	295	employment for more than 3 hours, which shall consist of not more than 20 minutes of work. 187
296	296	(2) A minor between the ages of 6 months and 30 months shall not remain at the 188
297	297	place of employment for more than 4 hours, which shall consist of not more than 2 hours of 189
298	298	work, with the balance of the 4-hour period being rest or recreation. 190
299	299	(3) A minor between the ages of 30 months and 7 years shall not remain at the 191
300	300	place of employment for more than 6 hours, which shall consist of not more than 3 hours of 192
301	301	work, with the balance of the 6-hour period being rest, recreation, or education. 193
302	302	Sec. 10. Employer to furnish, on demand, proof of age of an employee. 194
303	303	(a) Upon reasonable suspicion that an employee is a minor for whom a work permit is not 195
304	304	on file, the Department may issue a written notice to the employee's employer requesting proof 196
305	305	of the employee's age, consistent with section 8(b). 197
306	306
307	307	(b) The notice shall be served on the employer by personal service to the employer or 198
308	308	employer’s representative, or by certified mail. 199
309	309	(c) If the employer does not provide proof of the employee's age within 10 days after 200
310	310	receiving notice, the employer shall cease employing the employee until the Department receives 201
311	311	proof of the employee’s age. 202
312	312	Sec. 11. Penalties, enforcement, and prosecutions. 203
313	313	(a)(1) The Department shall administer and enforce the provisions of this act, including 204
314	314	by conducting sua sponte and complaint-initiated investigations into whether violations have 205
315	315	occurred, holding hearings, and instituting actions for penalties. 206
316	316	(2)(A) The Department, its inspectors, and any other person authorized to enforce 207
317	317	this act may visit and inspect, at any time, all places where minors are employed, and shall have 208
318	318	authority to enter any place or establishment covered by the terms of this act. 209
319	319	(B) The Department, its inspectors, and any other person authorized to 210
320	320	enforce this act shall have access to any records necessary to enforce this act upon demand; 211
321	321	provided, that an employer or individual may not be found to be in violation of this subparagraph 212
322	322	unless the employer had an opportunity to challenge the demand before a judge, including an 213
323	323	administrative law judge. 214
324	324	(b)(1)(A) The Department shall assess an administrative penalty against an employer or 215
325	325	individual who: 216
326	326	(i) Employs a minor in violation of this act, or of a regulation 217
327	327	promulgated pursuant to this act; 218
328	328	(ii) Interferes with the Department, its employees, or any other 219
329	329	person authorized by the District to inspect places of employment of minors; or 220
330	330
331	331	(iii) Otherwise violates the provisions of this act. 221
332	332	(B) Each day during which a violation of this act occurs or continues to 222
333	333	occur shall constitute a separate violation. 223
334	334	(2)(A) The administrative penalty assessed pursuant to this subsection shall not 224
335	335	exceed $1,000 for each violation of this act; provided, that the Department shall assess an 225
336	336	administrative penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each violation of this act that results in the 226
337	337	employment of a minor who is injured or dies in the course of that employment. 227
338	338	(B) The Department may not collect an administrative penalty under this 228
339	339	subsection unless the Department has provided the employer or individual alleged to have 229
340	340	violated this act notification of the violation, notification of the amount of the administrative 230
341	341	penalty to be imposed, and an opportunity to request a formal hearing held pursuant to the 231
342	342	Administrative Procedure Act, approved October 21, 1968 (82 Stat. 1204; D.C. Official Code § 232
343	343	2-501 et seq.). 233
344	344	(c)(1) If a minor is employed in violation of any of the provisions of this act, or of any 234
345	345	regulation promulgated by the Mayor pursuant to this act, the Department shall revoke the 235
346	346	minor’s work permit or theatrical employment permit, and shall order the minor’s employer to 236
347	347	immediately cease employing the minor. 237
348	348	(2) If the minor is younger than 16 years of age, the Department shall notify the 238
349	349	minor’s parent, guardian, or custodian. 239
350	350	(d) The Attorney General, acting in the public interest, including the need to deter future 240
351	351	violations, may bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction against an employer or 241
352	352	other individual violating this act. Upon prevailing in court, the Attorney General shall be 242
353	353
354	354	entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, and statutory penalties equal to any 243
355	355	administrative penalties provided by law. 244
356	356	(e)(1) Prosecutions undertaken in court for violations of any of the provisions of this act, 245
357	357	or of any regulation made by the Mayor under the authority of this act, shall be on information 246
358	358	filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in the name of the District of Columbia by 247
359	359	the Office of the Attorney General. 248
360	360	Sec. 12. Loitering around business establishments prohibited during school hours; 249
361	361	penalty. 250
362	362	(a) No owner or employee of a business establishment shall permit a minor under the age 251
363	363	of 16, having reasonable grounds to believe that such minor is a truant or unlawfully absent from 252
364	364	school, to loiter on the premises of such business establishment during those hours when school 253
365	365	is in session. 254
366	366	(b) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to an 255
367	367	administrative penalty of no less than $25, nor more than $300 for each day the violation occurs 256
368	368	or continues to occur. 257
369	369	Sec. 13. Rules. 258
370	370	The Mayor, pursuant to Title I of the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act, 259
371	371	approved October 21, 1968 (82 Stat. 1204; D.C. Official Code § 2-501 et seq.), shall issue rules 260
372	372	to implement the provisions of this act. 261
373	373	Sec. 14. An Act To regulate the employment of minors within the District of Columbia, 262
374	374	Approved May 29, 1928 (45 Stat. 998; D.C. Official Code § 32-201 et seq.), is repealed. 263
375	375	Sec. 15. Fiscal impact statement. 264
376	376
377	377	The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement of the Budget Director as the fiscal impact 265
378	378	statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved 266
379	379	October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 267
380	380	Sec. 16. Effective Date. 268
381	381	This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 269
382	382	Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as 270
383	383	provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 271
384	384	24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of 272
385	385	Columbia Register. 273