2026-10-14 - Committee on Youth Affairs
Summary
Summary written by Claude (AI) from the Council video captions, which are all caps and unedited.
- Short additional virtual committee meeting chaired by Council Member Zachary Parker, with two other members present.
- Only item: Bill 26-71, the Uniform Unregulated Transfer of Child Custody Amendment Act of 2026.
- The bill bars a custodian or guardian from transferring custody outside the authorized placement, and bars soliciting or advertising for such transfers.
- It lets the child welfare agency and the Attorney General investigate violations, and sets criminal penalties.
- The final committee print makes two minor changes, including adding the Metropolitan Police Department to the agencies that can be contacted in an emergency transfer.
- No discussion; the committee voted unanimously by voice to report the bill, with leave for staff to make technical and conforming changes.
- Adjourned at about 10:43 a.m.
Agenda
Sources
Video
Transcript
Council video captions, all caps, as published; not edited.
Transcript
>> GOOD MORNING, I AM COUNCIL MEMBER ZACHARY PARKER, CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE OF YOUTH AFFAIRS. TODAY IS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2026. WE ARE MEETING VIRTUALLY IN ZOOM. THE TIME IS 10:40 A.M., AND I HAVE
AN OFFICIAL ORDER OF THE MEETING. WE HAVE ALISSA SILVERMAN, AND BROOKE PINTO AND MYSELF. TODAY'S COUNCIL MEETS FOR B26-0071, THE UNFORM UNREGULATED TRANSFER OF CHILD CUSTODY ACT. OF 2026. IT WILL
PREVENT A CUSTODIAN OR GUARDIAN TO ABANDON OR TRANS23ER CUSTODY TO A PERSON OUTSIDE OF PERSON. ACTING As AN INTERNEED AREA IF A PERSON IS AWARE OF A TRANSFER OUTSIDE OF THE AUTHORIZED STATE OF
PLACEMENT. IT WILL PROVIDE A FAMILY AND SERVICES AGENCY AND THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WITH THE AUTHORITY TO INVESTIGATE TRANSFERS IN VIOLATION WITH THE LEGISLATION. IT WILL PROHIBIT
SOLICITATION TO IDENTIFY A CHILD FOR UNAUTHORIZED TRANSFER OF CUSTODY. IT WILL PROVIDE A REPORT AND A PLAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE FOLLOWING A HOME VISIT FOR A CHILD PLACED OR ADOPTED THROUGH
ADOPTION THAT IS SUSPECTED TO BE THE SUBJECT OF AN UNREGULATED CUSTODY TRANSFER. IT WILL PROHIBIT SOLICITATION OR ADVERTISEMENT TO IDENTIFY A PERSON TO MAKE AN UNAUTHORIZED TRANSFER OF CHILD CUSTODY.
IT WILL PROVIDE THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO ENFORCE IT, AND CHARGE VIOLATORS WITH CRIMINAL PENALTIES AND IT WILL ENABLE THE DISTRICT COURTS FOR THE UNIFORM UNREGULATED CHILD CUSTODY TRANSFER
ACROSS STATES WHEN APPLYING THE LEGISLATION. THE FINAL COMMITTEE PRINT REFLECTS TWO MINOR CHANGES FROM THE BILL AS INTRODUCED. THE ADDITION OF MPD TO THE LIST OF AGENCIES TO THE LIST OF PEOPLE WHAT
THEY CAN CONTACT IN AN EMERGENCY TRANSFER, AS TO HOW THEY INTERPRET THE LEGISLATION AS WELL AS OTHER STATES THAT HAVE INTRODUCED PARALLEL LEGISLATION. I'M GLAD TO SEE THE LEGISLATION MOVE FORWARD
TODAY AS THIS IS AN IMPORTANT CHILD WELFARE BILL THAT PROVIDES STRONG PROTECTIONS FOR LOCAL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND WILL DISCOURAGE THE PRACTICE OF HIDDEN, UNREGULATED CUSTODY TRANSFERS. WITH THAT,
I WILL OPEN THE FLOOR TO MY COLLEAGUES TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY DISCUSSION. ALL RIGHT. HEARING NONE, I MOVE THE COMMITTEE AND THE REPORT FOR B26-0071, THE UNIFORM UNREGULATED TRANSFER OF CHILD CUSTODY
AMENDMENT ACT OF 2026 WITH LEAVE FOR STAFF TO MAKE TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING CHANGES. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, INDICATE BY SAYING AYE. AYE. AYE. AND AYE OF THE CHAIR. THAT IS A UNANIMOUS VOTE. SO WITH THAT,
WE WILL CONCLUDE THE BUSINESS OF THIS ADDITIONAL COMMITTEE HEARING. THE TIME IS NOW 10:43. I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBER PINTO AND COUNCIL MEMBER SILVERMAN. THIS COMMITTEE IS
ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.