Subchapter II. Programs for Youth Employment.

§ 32–241. Definitions.

For the purposes of this subchapter, the term:

(1) "Average wage" means the average wage identified in the most recent edition of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for the District of Columbia.

(1A) "Committees" means the Industry Advisory Committees established pursuant to § 32-247.

(2) "Date of enrollment" means the date on which a participant enrolls in the summer youth jobs program.

(2A) "DCIA" means the DC Infrastructure Academy established by the Mayor.

(3) "Host employer" means a public or private employer that employs a summer youth jobs participant.

(4) "In-school youth" shall have the same meaning provided in section 129(a)(1)(C) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, approved July 22, 2014 (128 Stat. 1504; 29 U.S.C. § 3164(a)(1)(C)).

(5) "Occupation" means the broad occupational code and associated title assigned to a particular category of work in the most recent edition of the Standard Occupational Classification Manual published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

(6) "Opportunity Youth" means an individual who is an out-of-school youth at the date of enrollment in the summer jobs program, not regularly employed, and whose level of educational attainment is less than an associate degree.

(7) "Out-of-school youth" shall have the same meaning provided in section 129(a)(1)(B) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, approved July 22, 2014 (128 Stat. 1504; 29 U.S.C. § 3164(a)(1)(B)).

(8) "Soft skills training" means age-appropriate, non-technical skills training that helps individuals succeed in the workplace and includes training regarding communication, time management, appropriate work attire, and conflict resolution, and education regarding employers' rights to conduct drug tests.

§ 32–242. Programs for employment and training of young District domiciliaries.

*NOTE: This section includes amendments by emergency legislation that will expire on May 21, 2025. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation affecting this section, click this link: Permanent Version.*

(a) The Mayor shall establish and implement programs, subject to the annual appropriation of funds, for the employment and training of young persons who are domiciliaries of the District of Columbia, as follows:

(1) Summer youth jobs. —

(A)(i) A summer youth jobs program to provide for the employment or training each summer of not fewer than 10,000 or more than 21,000 youth. Youth shall be 14 through 24 years of age on the date of enrollment in the program; provided, that the program shall provide employment or training each summer to no more than 900 youth ages 22 through 24 years of age on the date of enrollment.

(ii) Youth 14 or 15 years of age at the date of enrollment shall receive an hourly work readiness training rate of not less than $6.25.

(iii) Youth ages 16 to 21 years at the date of enrollment shall be compensated at an hourly rate of not less than $8.25.

(iv) Youth 22 through 24 years of age at the date of enrollment shall be compensated at an hourly rate equal to the minimum wage specified in § 32-1003.

(v)(I) At least 100 participants shall be placed with host employers that also employ registered apprentices.

(II) For the purposes of this sub-subparagraph, host employers may be those that participate in the summer youth jobs program through the District of Columbia Public Schools' Career Ready Internship Program.

(A-i) Registration for the summer youth jobs program shall occur annually.

(B) The weekly number of hours of employment under the summer youth jobs program shall be established according to the age of the youth to be employed and the nature and requirements of the job, but shall not be fewer than 20 hours or more than 40 hours per week. Participants in this program shall be employed for a period of no more than 6 weeks; provided, that Opportunity Youth may be employed for up to 12 weeks.

(C) Employment may include an appropriate number of supervisory positions at an hourly wage of no less than $9.25 and no greater than the minimum wage specified in § 32-1003. Supervisory positions shall not be subject to the requirements under this paragraph regarding the number of hours and weeks of employment.

(D) The Department of Employment Services shall implement the summer youth jobs program subject to the appropriation of funds or availability of funds through public-private partnerships between the District government and a District business that has the ability to employ youth under this program; provided, that these partnerships shall be subject to all federal and District laws, rules, and regulations relating to the procurement and award of contracts, grants, or other government assistance. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “District Business” means a corporation or any entity carrying on any trade or business in the District of Columbia that is subject to taxation under § 47-1807.02 or § 47-1808.03.

(E) Repealed.

(2) In-school employment and work readiness training. — The Department of Employment Services shall implement an in-school youth employment and work readiness training program to provide for the employment or training during the school year of students aged 14 through 21 years on a part-time basis at no less than the federal minimum wage, or work readiness training rate at no less than $5.25 per hour. Priority shall be given to students who meet the eligibility criteria and standards of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, approved July 22, 2014 (128 Stat. 1425; 29 U.S.C. § 3101 et seq.) (“Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act”), as identified in regulations issued to implement this subchapter. The Mayor may provide financial incentives to increase performance outcomes.

(2A) School year internship program. —

(A) A program called the School Year Internship Program ("Program") for a minimum of 1000 District high school students, each year, to provide work-based learning opportunities during the school year.

(B)(i) High school students, including students from public schools, public charter schools, private schools, and students who are homeschooled, may apply to the Department of Employment Services ("DOES") to be matched with an internship host through the Program; provided, that a student may not otherwise participate in an internship, in-school youth employment, or a work-readiness program.

(ii) DOES shall give priority over all other applications to the applications of students who are identified as one or more of the following:

(I) Homeless;

(II) In the District's foster care system;

(III) Qualified for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; or

(IV) A high school student that is one year older, or more, than the expected age for the grade in which the student is enrolled.

(iii) Repealed.

(iv) DOES shall reserve at least 100 internships for District-involved youth in Fiscal Year 2023.

(D) Interns shall remain matched with their internship host between the first week of October and the last day of May.

(E) DOES shall pay interns a training rate of at least $10 per hour, which it shall pay by way of a debit card provided to the intern or by direct deposit.

(F)(i) Internship hosts may be nonprofit organizations, public schools or public charter schools, government agencies, or private businesses.

(ii) Prospective internship hosts shall submit applications to participate in the Program no later than July 1 of each year. The application shall include a detailed job description that identifies specific tasks, projects, or duties that the intern will perform and the name and job title of the individual who will directly supervise the intern.

(iii) DOES shall review internship host applications and shall give priority to applications that will engage an intern in work experience activities, rather than work readiness activities, for the majority of an intern's time.

(G) DOES shall implement the Program through public-private partnerships between the District government and an internship host that has the ability to employ youth under the Program, subject to all federal and District laws, rules, and regulations relating to the procurement and award of contracts, grants, or other government assistance.

(H)(i) DOES shall develop benchmarks for interns' growth and development in work readiness, which internship hosts shall utilize to assess an intern's work readiness.

(ii) An internship host shall provide its written assessment of an intern's work readiness to DOES within 30 days after the end of the internship.

(I) For School Year 2022-2023, DOES may conduct a mid-year application cycle for students and internship hosts. Students placed with an internship host in the mid-year application cycle shall begin their internships no later than the second week of January 2023 and remain matched with the host through the last day of May 2023.

(J)(i) In Fiscal Year 2023, DOES shall issue grants totaling at least $225,000, to governmental or non-governmental entities to host District-involved youth. To qualify for a grant, an entity shall:

(I) Submit an application, supplemental to the application required pursuant to subparagraph (F)(ii) of this paragraph, that specifies the maximum number of District-involved youth the entity is able to host:

(II) Be able to provide programming in the District;

(III) Have experience providing workshops and programming for youth ages 14 through 21 on topics including life skills, workforce readiness, health (sexual, mental, physical), financial literacy, career exploration, or parenting; and

(IV) Have experience working with District-involved youth.

(ii) DOES shall:

(I) Work closely with agencies and organizations listed in subparagraph (K)(ii) of this paragraph to recruit District-involved youth; and

(II) Enter into any agreements with other District agencies or grantees required by law to prevent disclosure of legally protected information related to District-involved youth.

(iii) A grantee shall:

(I) Submit monthly reports to DOES on District-involved youth interns' growth and development; and

(II) Conduct at least 4 hours of intern training a month on subjects that may include workforce readiness, self-advocacy and personal agency, health (physical, mental, sexual), career exploration, life skills, and financial literacy.

(iv) Every 3 months from the date of placement of District-involved youth with a grantee, a grantee shall submit a report on the following from the previous 3 months:

(I) The number of hours each District-involved youth worked and participated in training;

(II) The number of total training hours the grantee conducted with District-involved youth, including the number of interns who participated in the training;

(III) A list of the training topics that were covered during the reporting period; and

(IV) Intern growth and development highlights.

(K) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term "District-involved youth" means a youth aged 14 through 21 who receives services from the following agencies or organizations:

(i) District Department of Human Services;

(ii) Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services;

(iii) Child and Family Services Agency;

(iv) Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement;

(v) Organizations that receive District funding for truancy prevention or intervention services; or

(vi) Organizations that contract with any agencies listed in sub-sub-subparagraphs (i) through (iv) of this subparagraph to provide services to youth.

(3) Out-of-school, year-round employment and work readiness training. — An out-of-school, year-round employment and work readiness training program to provide youth 16 through 24 years of age with employment at the prevailing entry level wage for the job being performed and no less than the federal minimum wage, or work readiness training at a training rate no less than $5.25 per hour. The Mayor may provide financial incentives to promote work readiness training activities and to increase performance outcomes. Priority shall be given to youth who meet the eligibility criteria and standards of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, as identified in regulations issued to implement this subchapter. The program shall include safeguards to assure that the prospect of employment resulting from this program does not induce students to drop out of school.

(4) On-the-job training program for adults.— An on-the-job training program for unemployed individuals at least 18 years of age. Priority shall be given to participants who meet the eligibility criteria and standards of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, as identified in regulations issued to implement this subchapter. The District government shall reimburse participating employers no more than 75% of the prevailing wage paid for an occupation, as determined by the Mayor, for a period not to exceed 12 months. The employer shall pay all wages in excess of the allowable reimbursement and all fringe benefits. The Mayor shall require that participating private-sector employers agree to hire persons who successfully complete the program. On-the-job training participants shall not displace existing employees or be used as substitutes for regular workers.

(5) Training and retraining for employment.— Programs for pre-employment training and retraining for persons 16 years of age and above. Priority shall be given to participants who meet the eligibility criteria and standards of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, as identified in regulations issued to implement this subchapter. Training programs established pursuant to this paragraph may be coupled with those conducted pursuant to paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection.

(6) [Career Ready Early Scholars ("CRES") Summer Program. —]

(A) [ ]DOES shall create a summer program for youth between 9 and 13 years of age that provides occupational skills, academic enrichment, life skills, career exploration, work readiness, or youth development trainings.

(B) DOES is authorized to spend appropriated funds for the CRES summer program to provide participants with:

(i) Cash equivalents, not to exceed the value of $150 per week per participant, as an incentive to participate in the program;

(ii) Meals and snacks during program hours; and

(iii) Public transportation to and from the program.

(C) Following the completion of the CRES summer program each year, DOES shall administer a survey to participants and, by September 15, publish the results of the survey and transmit them, along with a blank copy of the survey, to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education ("OSSE"), the Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools ("DCPS"), and the Council.

(D) By December 1 each year, DOES shall issue and submit to the Council, OSSE, and the Chancellor of DCPS a report detailing:

(i) The total number of participants who participated in the CRES summer program;

(ii) The total number of participants who completed the CRES summer program;

(iii) Partner organizations with whom participants engaged in experiences; and

(iv) Participants' demographic data, as available.

(7) [Career Ready Early Scholars ("CRES") Year-Round Program. —]

(A) [ ]Beginning in School Year 2024-2025, DOES may administer an after-school program for youth between 9 and 13 years of age that provides occupational skills, academic enrichment, life skills, career exploration, work readiness, or youth development trainings during the school year.

(B) DOES is authorized to spend appropriated funds for the program to provide participants with:

(i) Cash equivalents, not to exceed $150 per week per participant, as an incentive to participate in the CRES year-round program; and

(ii) Meals and snacks during program hours.

(a-1) At least 66% of the local funds that the Department of Employment Services uses for training offered pursuant to subsection (a)(2) and (3) of this section each fiscal year shall be spent on in-school youth who are District of Columbia residents and reside or attend a public school or public charter school in Ward 7 or Ward 8, and who are not participants in the District of Columbia Public Schools' Career Bridge Program.

(a-2) Repealed.

(b) Employment under the programs established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may be provided directly with the government of the District of Columbia or with the private sector on a fully funded, partially or match-funded basis through grants to or by contract with nonprofit or profit-making organizations, associations, institutions or businesses. The Mayor shall not use more than 10% of funds for the programs for administrative and vendor costs. The Mayor may enter into performance-based contracts to implement programs described in subsection (a) of this section.

(c) The programs established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may include, but shall not be limited to, the following supportive services and activities: Transportation; orientation; counseling and training; supplies and equipment; and program promotion.

(d) For the purposes of this section, to give priority to participants who meet the eligibility criteria and standards of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act means to engage in a good-faith effort to fill at least 30% of a program’s available positions with persons who meet the eligibility criteria and standards of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

(e) An employer required by law to pay a minimum wage higher than that specified in this section shall pay such higher wage to persons employed pursuant to this section.

(f) The Mayor of the District of Columbia shall issue regulations to implement this section. The rules and regulations issued by the Mayor for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this section shall be submitted by the Mayor to the Council of the District of Columbia for a 45 calendar-day review period, excluding days of Council recess. No such rules or regulations shall take effect until the end of the 45 calendar-day period beginning on the day such rules or regulations are transmitted by the Mayor to the Chairman of the Council, and then only if during such period the Council does not adopt a resolution disapproving such rules and regulations in whole or in part.

(g)(1) The Department of Employment Services shall collect, and publish on its website, aggregated information on the participants of the summer youth jobs program, including statistics on:

(A) The demographics of participants;

(A-i) The number of participants who were:

(i) Opportunity Youth;

(ii) Opportunity Youth who participated in the program for more than 6 weeks;

(iii) Opportunity Youth who participated in the program for 12 weeks;

(iv) Opportunity Youth who were referred to year-round training or education;

(v) Placed with a host employer that employs registered apprentices; and

(vi) Employed in supervisory positions;

(B) Participants’ activities in the program; and

(i) Opportunity Youth employed who participated in the program for longer than 6 weeks; and

(ii) Participants who entered a registered apprenticeship program following placement with a host employer that employs registered apprentices.

(2) Beginning December 15, 2019, and annually thereafter, the Department of Employment Services shall publish the information collected pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection for the preceding summer; provided, that information responsive to paragraphs (1)(A-i) and (C)(i) and (ii) of this subsection first may be published in December 2020.

(3) It is the sense of the Council that the Department of Employment Services shall consult with the Council on revising the existing evaluation requirement for the summer youth jobs program to focus on program outcomes and program effectiveness.

(4) With regard to the summer 2015 program only, the Mayor shall conduct an assessment and evaluation of employment outcomes as of December 31, 2015, for summer employment participants 22 through 24 years of age.

(5) Repealed.

(h) When the purchase is reasonably necessary to assist in the effective achievement of a statutorily authorized goal, objective, or responsibility, Department of Employment Services funds may be used to purchase food and non-alcoholic beverages for:

(1) Youth enrolled in the summer youth jobs program; and

(2) Repealed.

(3) Participants, District government employees, and employees of host agencies who attend the annual summer youth employment program activities.

(i) The Department of Employment Services is authorized to perform criminal background checks and traffic record checks for employees and volunteers of host employers or grantees participating in programs established pursuant to this section in accordance with Chapter 15 of Title 4.

(Jan. 5, 1980, D.C. Law 3-46, § 2 [redesignated as § 2a], 26 DCR 2310; July 2, 1982, D.C. Law 4-124, § 2, 29 DCR 2091; Mar. 10, 1983, D.C. Law 4-193, § 2, 30 DCR 43; Feb. 28, 1987, D.C. Law 6-211, § 2, 34 DCR 847; May 10, 1989, D.C. Law 7-231, § 45, 36 DCR 492; Oct. 18, 2005, D.C. Law 16-22, § 2, 52 DCR 8076; Apr. 24, 2007, D.C. Law 16-305, § 44, 53 DCR 6198; Sept. 11, 2008, D.C. Law 17-221, § 2, 55 DCR 8293; Sept. 11, 2008, D.C. Law 17-223, § 2, 55 DCR 8297; Mar. 3, 2010, D.C. Law 18-111, § 1071, 57 DCR 181; Sept. 24, 2010, D.C. Law 18-223, § 2232(a), 57 DCR 6242; Sept. 14, 2011, D.C. Law 19-21, § 2062, 58 DCR 6226; Oct. 22, 2015, D.C. Law 21-36, § 2032, 62 DCR 10905; May 12, 2016, D.C. Law 21-112, § 2, 63 DCR 4326; Oct. 8, 2016, D.C. Law 21-160, § 7026, 63 DCR 10775; Dec. 13, 2017, D.C. Law 22-33, § 2062, 64 DCR 7652; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-168, § 2142, 65 DCR 9388; redesignated as § 2a, Sept. 11, 2019, D.C. Law 23-16, § 2142, 66 DCR 8621; Dec. 3, 2020, D.C. Law 23-149, §§ 2082(b), 2102, 67 DCR 10493; Nov. 13, 2021, D.C. Law 24-45, § 4132, 68 DCR 010163; Sept. 21, 2022, D.C. Law 24-167, § 4052, 69 DCR 009223; Mar. 10, 2023, D.C. Law 24-311, § 10, 70 DCR 595; Sept. 6, 2023, D.C. Law 25-50, § 4173(a), 70 DCR 10366; Sept. 18, 2024, D.C. Law 25-217, § 4122, 71 DCR 9990; Feb. 20, 2025, D.C. Act 26-14, § 3, 72 DCR 2016.)

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 36-702.

Section References

This section is referenced in § 1-328.05, § 32-243, § 32-771, and § 47-1818.03.

Effect of Amendments

D.C. Law 16-22, rewrote subsec. (a)(1) which had read as follows: “(1) Summer youth jobs.—A summer youth jobs program to provide for the employment each summer of youths between the ages of 14 and 21 on the date of enrollment in the program, at a rate equal to the federal minimum wage as established by § 6 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 ( 29 U.S.C. § 206). The weekly number of hours of such employment shall be established according to the age of the youth to be employed and the nature and requirements of the job, but shall not be less than 20 nor more than 40 hours per week. Employment under this program may include an appropriate number of supervisory positions at a wage not to exceed the federal minimum wage by more than 12%.”

D.C. Law 16-305, in subsec. (d)(4)(B), substituted “An individual with a disability” for “A handicapped individual”.

D.C. Law 17-221 rewrote subsec. (d).

D.C. Law 17-223, in subsec. (a)(2), substituted “basis, with the minimum of 10 hours per week,” for “basis”; in subsecs. (a)(2), (3), substituted “residents; provided, that youth who are not economically disadvantaged or public housing residents shall be eligible for the program” for “residents”; and, in subsec. (b), added “The Mayor shall not use more than 10% of funds for the programs for administrative and vendor costs.”

D.C. Law 18-111, in subsec. (a)(1)(A), substituted “no less than 10,000 and no more than 21,000 youth” for “10,000 youth”; added subsec. (a)(1)(A-i ); and, in subsec. (a)(1)(B), substituted “period of no more than 6 weeks” for “minimum of”.

D.C. Law 18-223 added a section heading; and, in subsec. (a)(1)(B), substituted “25 hours” for “40 hours”.

D.C. Law 19-21 rewrote subsec. (a)(1)(A), which formerly read:

“(1)(A) Summer youth jobs—A summer youth jobs program to provide for the employment each summer of no less than 10,000 and no more than 21,000 youth between 14 and 21 years of age on the date of enrollment in the program, at a rate at least equal to the federal minimum wage established by section 6 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, approved June 25, 1938 (52 Stat. 1062; 29 U.S.C. § 206).”

The 2015 amendment by D.C. Law 21-36 rewrote (a)(1)(A) and (A-i); substituted “but shall not be fewer than 20 hours or more than 40 hours” for “but shall not be less than 20 nor more than 25 hours” in (a)(1)(B); rewrote (a)(1)(C); repealed (a)(1) (E); rewrote (a)(2), (3), (4), and (5); added the last sentence in (b); rewrote (d); and added (g).

Applicability

Section 301 of D.C. Law 22-124 provided that the changes made to this section by D.C. Law 22-124 shall apply as of October 1, 2017.

Section 109 of D.C. Law 22-124 repealed § 3 of D.C. Law 21-112. Therefore the changes made to this section by D.C. Law 21-112 have been given effect.

Applicability of D.C. Law 21-112: § 3 of D.C. Law 21-112 provided that the change made to this section by § 2 of D.C. Law 21-112 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 3 of Youth Workforce Development Programs Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Act 26-14, Feb. 20, 2025, 72 DCR 2016).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 4122 of Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2024 (D.C. Act 25-506, July 15, 2024, 71 DCR 8406).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 18(a) of Fiscal Year 2024 Revised Local Budget Adjustment Emergency Act of 2024 (D.C. Act 25-499, July 8, 2024, 71 DCR 7957).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(b) of Middle School Career Exploration Pilot Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2023 (D.C. Act 25-279, Oct. 30, 2023, 70 DCR 14487).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(b) of Middle School Career Exploration Pilot Emergency Amendment Act of 2023. (D.C. Act 25-205, July 31, 2023, 70 DCR 10765).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 4052 of Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2022 (D.C. Act 24-470, July 13, 2022, 69 DCR 008707).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 4132 of Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-159, Aug. 23, 2021, 68 DCR 008602).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2142(c) of Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2019 (D.C. Act 23-112, Sept. 4, 2019, 66 DCR 11964).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2142(a) of Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2019 (D.C. Act 23-112, Sept. 4, 2019, 66 DCR 11964).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2142(c) of Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2019 (D.C. Act 23-91, July 22, 2019, 66 DCR 8497).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2142(a) of Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2019 (D.C. Act 23-91, July 22, 2019, 66 DCR 8497).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2142 of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-458, Oct. 3, 2018, 65 DCR 11212).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2142 of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-434, July 30, 2018, 65 DCR 8200).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2062 of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2017 (D.C. Act 22-167, Oct. 24, 2017, 64 DCR 10802).

For temporary (90 days) repeal of the delayed applicability provision affecting this section, see § 105 of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Support Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2017 (D.C. Act 22-163, Oct. 23, 2017, 64 DCR 10778).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2062 of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2017 (D.C. Act 22-104, July 20, 2017, 64 DCR 7032).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of Access to Youth Employment Programs Emergency Amendment Act of 2007 (D.C. Act 17-170, October 26, 2007, 54 DCR 10982).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 1071 of Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Support Second Emergency Act of 2009 (D.C. Act 18-207, October 15, 2009, 56 DCR 8234).

For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 2261 of Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Support Second Emergency Act of 2009 (D.C. Act 18-207, October 15, 2009, 56 DCR 8234).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 1071 of Fiscal Year Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2009 (D.C. Act 18-260, January 4, 2010, 57 DCR 345).

For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 2261 of Fiscal Year Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2009 (D.C. Act 18-260, January 4, 2010, 57 DCR 345).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2232(a) of Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2010 (D.C. Act 18-463, July 2, 2010, 57 DCR 6542).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2 of the Youth Employment and Work Readiness Training Emergency Amendment Act of 2015 (D.C. Act 21-73, May 26, 2015, 62 DCR 6884, 21 DCSTAT 1449).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2 of the Youth Employment and Work Readiness Training Temporary Amendment Act of 2015 (D.C. Act 21-93, June 17, 2015, 62 DCR 8852).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see §§ 2032 and 2034 of the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2015 (D.C. Act 21-127, July 27, 2015, 62 DCR 10201).

For temporary (90 days) repeal of D.C. Law 21-23, see § 2033 of the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2015 (D.C. Act 21-127, July 27, 2015, 62 DCR 10201).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(a) of the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Support Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2015 (D.C. Act 21-164, Oct. 16, 2015, 62 DCR 13734).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 8 of the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Support Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2016 (D.C. Act 21-292, Jan. 27, 2016, 63 DCR 1211).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see §§ 2 and 3 of the Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Expansion Emergency Amendment Act of 2016 (D.C. Act 21-306, Feb. 18, 2016, 63 DCR 2180).

Temporary Legislation

For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 18(a) of Fiscal Year 2024 Revised Local Budget Adjustment Temporary Act of 2024 (D.C. Law 25-208, Sept. 18, 2024, 71 DCR 9914).

For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(b) of Middle School Career Exploration Pilot Temporary Amendment Act of 2023. (D.C. Law 25-84, Nov. 28, 2023, 70 DCR 13816).

For temporary (225 days) repeal of the delayed applicability provision affecting this section, see § 107 of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Support Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2017 (D.C. Law 22-44, Jan. 25, 2018, 64 DCR 12387).

For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of the Access to Youth Employment Programs Temporary Amendment Act of 2007 (D.C. Law 17-75, January 23, 2008, law notification 55 DCR 1455).

For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 2 of the Youth Employment and Work Readiness Training Temporary Amendment Act of 2015 (D.C. Law 21-23, Sept. 17, 2015, 62 DCR 8852).

For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 10 of the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Support Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2015 (D.C. Law 21-76, Feb. 27, 2016, 63 DCR 264).

For temporary (225 days) amendment of section, see § 2 of the Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Expansion Temporary Amendment Act of 2016 D.C. Law 21-104, April 20, 2016, 63 DCR 3656, 20 DCSTAT 3149).

Short Title

Short title: Section 1070 of D.C. Law 18-111 provided that subtitle H of title I of the act may be cited as the “Summer Youth Employment Amendment Act of 2009”.

Short title: Section 2231 of D.C. Law 18-223 provided that subtitle T of title II of the act may be cited as the “Youth Workforce Development Planning and Evaluation Amendment Act of 2010”.

Short title: Section 2061 of D.C. Law 19-21 provided that subtitle G of title II of the act may be cited as “Summer Youth Employment Compensation Amendment Act of 2011”.

Editor's Notes

Authorization of funds for contract with D.C. Street Academy: Section 3 of D.C. Law 4-124 provided that during the fiscal year ending September 30, 1983, the expenditure of funds is authorized for a direct contract with the D.C. Street Academy, a nonprofit, certified, and accredited secondary school specifically designed and established to serve the target population identified in § 36-702(a)(5)§ 32-241, (2001 Ed.).

§ 32–243. Training and work experience in persistent problem areas of the District.

(a) Commencing 30 days after October 20, 2005, and subject to the annual appropriation of funds, the Mayor shall establish and operate a year round program to provide domiciliaries of the District of Columbia between the ages of 14 and 24 years with training and work experience in both the public and private sectors of the economy. The Mayor shall target the services of this program to those youth residing in persistent problem areas of the District where such factors as crime, lack of economic development, and high unemployment create a particular need for the services of this program.

(b) Youth participants shall be certified by the Department of Employment Services as to residence and income. Priority in the selection of participants shall be given to hard-to-serve youth residing in persistent problem areas of the District that the Mayor may further identify by executive order.

(c) Youth participants shall be assessed for work experience placement suitability at the time of entry into the program and shall receive case management services during their period of participation in the program.

(d) Based upon the initial assessment, youth participants may be referred to and shall successfully complete employment counseling, leadership and life skills training, pre-employment training, or occupational skills training in demand occupations prior to placement in paid work.

(e) After participants have been assessed and determined to be ready for placement in work experience, they shall be placed in available work positions that pay stipends, training wages or wages in such amounts as the Mayor may determine to be appropriate for the work position and participant.

(f) The Mayor shall also provide participants with job development services, job retention counseling, and unsubsidized job placement assistance.

(Jan. 5, 1980, D.C. Law 3-46, § 2a [redesignated], formerly § 3; as added Oct. 20, 2005, D.C. Law 16-33, § 2052, 52 DCR 7503; renumbered Mar. 2, 2007, D.C. Law 16-191, § 5(k), 53 DCR 6794; Sept. 18, 2007, D.C. Law 17-20, § 2032, 54 DCR 7052; redesignated as § 2b, Sept. 11, 2019, D.C. Law 23-16, § 2142(a), 66 DCR 8621.)

Section References

This section is referenced in § 1-328.05.

Effect of Amendments

D.C. Law 16-191 validated previously made technical corrections in subsec. (a) and (b).

D.C. Law 17-20, in subsec. (a), substituted “ages of 14” for “ages of 16”.

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2142(a) of Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2019 (D.C. Act 23-112, Sept. 4, 2019, 66 DCR 11964).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2142(a) of Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2019 (D.C. Act 23-91, July 22, 2019, 66 DCR 8497).

For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 2052 of Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-168, July 26, 2005, 52 DCR 7667).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 3(d) of Finance and Revenue Technical Amendments Second Emergency Amendment Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-585, December 28, 2006, 54 DCR 340).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2032 of Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2007 (D.C. Act 17-74, July 25, 2007, 54 DCR 7549).

Short Title

Short title: Section 2031 of D.C. Law 17-20 provided that subtitle D of title II of the act may be cited as the “Youth Employment Amendment Act of 2007”.

§ 32–244. Development of plans for the delivery of workforce development services.

(a) The Mayor shall develop a plan for the delivery of workforce development services for the summer youth jobs program required by § 32-242(a)(1).

(b) The Mayor shall develop a plan for the delivery of workforce development services for the out-of-school year-round employment program required by § 32-242(a)(3).

(1) Stated objectives of the program;

(2) Quantitative and qualitative output and outcome measurements and the proposed evaluation mechanisms;

(3) A review of the previous year’s programmatic implementation and an analysis of what strategies have worked and what strategies have not worked with regards to achieving the programmatic goals;

(4) A full budget narrative, including a delineation of funding for youth connected to traditional academic institutions and youth who are disconnected from any academic institution;

(5) A delineation of the specific roles that the nonprofit sectors and government sectors play as they relate to policies, procedures, and specific services to be offered to youth requesting workforce development services;

(6) A strategy to link workforce development programming with academic objectives;

(7) A strategy to link youth workforce development programming with local employers’ current and projected workforce needs; and

(8) A strategy to identify all potential obstacles to employment success for participating youth and connect the youth to additional support services as needed.

(d) In the development of the plans required by this section, the Mayor shall consult with youth workforce development stakeholders, experts, and providers.

(e) Within 120 days of September 24, 2010, the Mayor shall submit the plans required by this section to the Council for its approval. Upon approval by the Council, the Mayor shall implement the plans.

§ 32–245. Evaluation of the summer youth employment program.

(a) By December 1, 2019, and every year thereafter, the Mayor shall hire an independent contractor to evaluate the next year's summer youth employment program. The contractor shall conduct the evaluation according to nationally accepted standards. The evaluation criteria shall include a pre-program and post-program survey of participating youth and employers. The contractor shall interview local youth workforce development stakeholders, experts, and providers when preparing the evaluation.

(b) The evaluation shall include an assessment of the following:

(1) Client satisfaction from participating youth and employers;

(2) Job responsibilities of participating youth;

(3) Support mechanisms for participating youth and employers;

(4) Sense of progress as it relates to job readiness and specific work skills gained for participating youth;

(5) An estimation of the percentage of youth participating in each of the various types of activities provided through the summer youth employment program (for example, work experience, academic, and youth enrichment);

(6) An assessment of the steps taken to address shortcomings identified in previous program evaluations and an analysis of the effectiveness of these corrective measures;

(7) The various types of soft skills training programs offered, including pre-program bootcamps, online modules, contracted services, and in-program instruction, to determine which models were most successful at imparting soft skills; and

(8) The causes of participant attrition, including the impact of the program's registration and documentation requirements on attrition.

(c) By December 30, 2020, and every year thereafter, the contractor shall present the results of the evaluation conducted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to the Council and the Department of Employment Services. The department shall place the evaluation on its website.

§ 32–246. DC Infrastructure Academy.

(a) In addition to duties the Mayor prescribes, the DCIA shall:

(1) Provide occupational skills training ("skills training") annually in industries for which there is significant demand regionally or by a major employer, including construction, infrastructure, and information technology;

(2) Provide occupational skills training designed to meet the needs of employers by:

(A) Aligning skills training, where appropriate, with the annual recommendations the committees submit to the DCIA pursuant to § 32-247(c);

(B)(i) Submitting a proposed curriculum, at least 30 calendar days prior to the start of any skills training taught by DCIA staff, to the relevant committee for its feedback; and

(ii) Taking into consideration any feedback from a committee when implementing any skills trainings taught by DCIA staff;

(C)(i) Submitting to the relevant committee, at least 30 calendar days before soliciting applications or bids on a grant or contract to provide skills training, a request that the committee review a grant or contract solicitation's proposed scope of work; and

(ii) Considering any feedback received from a committee when preparing statements of work for grants and contracts to provide skills training; and

(D) For any customized skills training provided specifically for a particular employer, seeking input from the employer consistent with the requirements outlined in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of this paragraph;

(3) Provide test preparation sessions and practice exams to ready participants to obtain the occupational credentials the committees identify in their annual reports pursuant to § 32-247(c)(4) [§ 32-247(b)]; and

(4) Provide job referrals, as defined in 20 C.F.R. § 651.10, to employers in the industry sectors in which training is offered pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection for all qualified graduates of DCIA training programs.

(b) DCIA skills training may include:

(1) Training services enumerated in section 134(c)(3)(D) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, approved July 22, 2014 (128 Stat. 1529; 29 U.S.C. § 3174(c)(3)(D));

(2) Supportive services, as defined in 20 C.F.R. § 651.10;

(3) Integrated education and training, as defined in 34 C.F.R. § 463.35;

(4) Workforce preparation activities, as defined in 34 C.F.R. § 463.34; and

(5) Job development, as defined in 20 C.F.R. § 651.10.

(c)(1) At least 66% of the participants receiving skills training through the DCIA each fiscal year shall be trained in occupations that pay an average wage that is at least 150% of the minimum wage specified in § 32-1003.

(2) At least 25% of the value of each grant or contract with a skills training provider shall be contingent on the provider achieving at least one of the following results:

(A) At least 75% of the provider's participants receive an industry-recognized credential; and

(B) At least 80% of the provider's participants enter permanent, unsubsidized employment in the occupation of training.

(d)(1) In Fiscal Year 2023, the DCIA shall administer a Commercial Driver's License ("CDL") mass transportation pipeline pilot program ("pilot program") that will train and support District residents to work toward employment with local mass transportation agencies such as the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority ("WMATA").

(2) To implement the pilot program, DCIA shall:

(A) Screen candidates for their suitability to receive a CDL and be hired as bus drivers with mass transportation agencies;

(B) Train candidates to receive a CDL or refer candidates to external training based on candidates' suitability;

(C) Provide candidates with assistance completing CDL applications and applying for employment with local mass transportation agencies, including through:

(i) Resume development;

(ii) Employment-readiness skills development; and

(iii) Interview preparation; and

(D) Recruit candidates for the pilot program.

(3) DCIA shall select candidates to participate in the pilot program through suitability screening that will ensure participants have a high likelihood of being hired by local mass transportation agencies. Screening may include a criminal background check, screening for use of drugs and alcohol, or a review of participants' driving, employment, or medical records.

(4) DCIA shall train or refer participants to external training with local mass transportation agencies based on participants' suitability and qualifications.

(5) DCIA's CDL training program may be facilitated by DCIA staff or through contracts with training providers. DCIA may coordinate with mass transportation agencies to obtain vehicles or other training materials to create new or expand existing CDL training.

(6) DCIA shall provide CDL test preparation assistance for all participants who receive DCIA-administered CDL training. This assistance may include:

(A) Working with the Department of Motor Vehicles to schedule tests;

(B) Leading and facilitating test preparation sessions;

(D) Providing support to participants with test performance anxiety.

(7) DCIA shall launch a Districtwide campaign to recruit participants for the pilot program. Recruitment shall include outreach to American Job Center visitors and current and past participants of DOES programs including the DCIA, Project Empowerment, DC Career Connections, Pathways for Young Adults, and the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program. Recruitment may also include outreach to adult education programs and District residents who are drivers with ridesharing companies.

(8) DCIA may accept a candidate who is deemed unsuitable for employment with a mass transportation agency due to a candidate's failure to pass drug or alcohol screening into the pilot program to receive DCIA-administered CDL training if DCIA determines that the candidate would likely be able to pass drug and alcohol screening in the future. DCIA may provide such participants with support or referrals to community services to address substance abuse concerns.

(9) For the purposes of this subsection, the term:

(A) "CDL" means a commercial driver's license issued by the District of Columbia or other jurisdiction, in accordance with the federal regulations, 49 CFR Part 383, to an individual that authorizes the individual to operate a class of commercial vehicle.

(B) "Mass transportation agency" means a government, quasi-government, or privately owned agency that transports the public by bus, train, trolly, streetcar, shuttle, or other means; which agencies may include WMATA, the DC Circulator, or the DC Streetcar.

(e) Department of Employment Services funds may be used to purchase food and non-alcoholic beverages for participants receiving DCIA skills training, when the purchase is reasonably necessary to assist in the effective achievement of a statutorily authorized goal, objective, or responsibility.

§ 32–247. Industry advisory committees.

(a)(1) The Director shall establish industry advisory committees to advise DCIA on occupational skills training offerings with the goal of aligning DCIA's trainings with industry hiring needs.

(2) There shall be one committee per industry sector in which DCIA offers occupational skills training pursuant to § 32-246(a)(1).

(3) Each committee shall consist of representatives of at least 2 employers from the relevant industry sector, whom the Director shall appoint.

(4)(A) The Director shall make initial appointments to the committees within 30 days of December 20, 2020.

(B) Committee members shall disclose all existing and potential conflicts of interest to the Director. No committee member may, in any manner, directly or indirectly, participate in a deliberation upon, or the determination of, any question affecting the financial interest of any corporation, partnership, or association in which the member or a member of the member's family is directly or indirectly interested. Committee members shall disclose the nature of any financial or personal relationships with any training providers by completing a conflict of interest form.

(b) No later than December 15, 2020, and annually thereafter in advance of the start of a new fiscal year, each Committee shall submit written recommendations to DCIA, which shall contain the following:

(1) Recommendations of 2 to 4 specific occupational skills trainings DCIA should offer;

(2) The number of District residents DCIA should train in the occupations identified pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection;

(3) Occupational skills required to obtain employment in the occupations identified pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection;

(4) A description of tools, equipment, and services necessary to conduct trainings to acquire the skills identified in paragraph (3) of this subsection;

(5) Industry-recognized credentials required for obtaining employment in the occupations identified pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, when appropriate; and

(6) The feasibility of providing virtual training or distance learning and recommendations to implement virtual training.

(c) After receiving a proposed training curriculum from the DCIA pursuant to § 32-246(a)(2)(B)(i), a Committee shall provide the DCIA with a written explanation of recommended modifications, if any.

(d) Within 30 calendar days after receiving a proposed scope of work for a grant or contract from DCIA pursuant to § 32-246(a)(2)(C)(i), the Committee shall provide DCIA with a written explanation of recommended modifications, if any.