Facilities & Family Services Public Hearing

COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COMMITTEE ON FACILITIES AND FAMILY SERVICES NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004 CHAIRWOMAN LEWIS GEORGE COMMITTEE ON FACILITIES AND FAMILY SERVICES ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC HEARING on B25-0043, the “Losing Outdated, Violent Exceptions Amendment Act of 2023” B25-0243, the “Child and Family Services Agency Investigation Completion Amendment Act of 2023” B25-0464, the “Grandparent and Caregiver Subsidy Eligibility Amendment Act of 2023” on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Live via Zoom Video Conference Broadcast Council Website (http://www.DCCouncil.us) Councilmember Lewis George’s website (https://janeeseward4.com/live) On Thursday, November 2, 2023, Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, Chair of the Committee on Facilities and Family Services will hold a public hearing to consider the following measures: • B25-0043, the “Losing Outdated, Violent Exceptions Amendment Act of 2023 • B25-0243, the “Child and Family Services Agency Investigation Completion Amendment Act of 2023” • B25-0464, the “Grandparent and Caregiver Subsidy Eligibility Amendment Act of 2023” The hearing will be held virtually via the Zoom platform from 11:00am to 4:00pm. The stated purpose of Bill 25-0043, the “Losing Outdated, Violent Exceptions Amendment Act of 2023”, is to repeal the religious exception to the District’s definition of child neglect. The stated purpose of Bill B25-0243, the “Child and Family Services Agency Investigation Completion Amendment Act of 2023”, is to extend the timeframe for completing abuse and neglect investigations from 30 to 45 days, unless the allegation involves a child fatality, sex trafficking, or care in a foster home, group home, or licensed day care facility. In these cases, the deadline would be extended to 60 days. The stated purpose of Bill 25-0464, the “Grandparent and Caregiver Subsidy Eligibility Amendment Act of 2023”, is to amend the program through which a grandparent or close relative of a child may be eligible to receive subsidy payments for the care and custody of a child by raising the program’s income eligibility threshold from 200% of the of the federally defined poverty level to 300%. Those who wish to testify must register using the Council’s Hearing Management System at https://lims.dccouncil.gov/hearings by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Testimony is limited to 3 minutes for individuals and 5 minutes for one representative of a bone fide organization. Witnesses who anticipate needing spoken language interpretation or require sign language interpretation are requested to inform the Committee office of the need as soon as possible but no later than five (5) business days before the proceeding. We will make every effort to fulfill timely requests, although alternatives may be offered. Requests received in less than five business days may not be fulfilled. Witnesses will receive instructions on how to participate by Zoom prior to the hearing. If you have additional questions, please email facilities@dccouncil.gov or contact Sebastian Weinmann at sweinmann@dccouncil.gov. Public witnesses will participate virtually via the Internet on the Zoom video conference platform. Testimony should be submitted through the Council’s Hearing Management System (https://lims.dccouncil.gov/hearings) in advance of the hearing. Testimony will be publicly accessible upon Committee review. If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will made a part of the official record. Statements for the record should be submitted to facilities@dccouncil.gov or left by voicemail by calling (202) 350-1396 (up to 3 minutes which will be transcribed). The record will close at 5:00pm on Thursday, November 9, 2023.