D.C. Act 25-193. Migrant Services and Supports Extension Emergency Amendment Act of 2023.
AN ACT
To continue to provide, on an emergency basis, aid newcomers in settling in the District, obtaining healthcare and identification documents, and accessing emergency shelter services; and to make conforming amendments to the Homeless Services Reform Act of 2005.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Migrant Services and Supports Extension Emergency Amendment Act of 2023".
TITLE I. MIGRANT SERVICES AND SUPPORTS
Sec. 101. Migrant services and supports.
The Mayor may establish an office and administer programs to provide time-limited services and supports to recent immigrants to the United States, including the following services and supports:
(1) Welcome and other reception services;
(2) Food, clothing, baby supplies including formula, if baby formula is reasonably available for purchase in the District, and other necessities;
(3) Temporary shelter which:
(A) May be provided in a congregate setting; provided, that families with
minor children shall be prioritized to be housed in non-congregate shelter units; and
(B) Is maintained in a safe, clean, and sanitary condition that meets all applicable District health, sanitation, fire, building, and zoning codes for residential dwellings.
(4) Medical services, including health insurance;
(5) Relocation services; including:
(A) Services associated with traveling to a secondary destination outside of the District; and
(B) Services associated with settling recent immigrants in the District when a person intends to make the District their permanent home.
(6) Cash assistance for food and other necessities, transportation, relocation, and
other identified needs; and
(7) Social and legal services and referrals to external social and legal service
programs and providers.
Sec. 102. Eligibility.
(a) The Mayor shall establish and publish eligibility and termination criteria for services and supports funded pursuant to
(1) May include statutory, regulatory, or programmatic categories of immigration, means of entering the District, and length of time in the United States or the District;
(2) Shall ensure that individuals are provided with adequate written and oral notice in the individual's requested language when services are denied or terminated pursuant to the established eligibility criteria; and
(3) Shall be published online in English and Spanish.
(b) No provision of
Sec. 103. Relationship to other services.
Services and supports provided under
Sec. 104. Grants.
Notwithstanding
Sec. 105. Rulemaking.
If the Mayor authorizes an expenditure pursuant to
TITLE II. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS
Sec. 201. The Homeless Services Reform Act of 2005, effective October 22, 2005 (D.C. Law 16-35; D.C. Official Code § 4-751 et seq.), is amended as follows:
(a) Section 2(32) (D.C. Official Code § 4-751.01(32)) is amended as follows:
(1) Sub-subparagraph (A)(iii) is amended by striking the phrase "public assistance from the District" and inserting the phrase "public assistance from the District, other than assistance through the DC Healthcare Alliance," in its place.
(2) A new sub-paragraph (C) is added to read as follows:
"(C) An individual or family shall be deemed to be in the District temporarily and shall not be considered a resident of the District if the individual or family:
"(i) Is en route to a family member, sponsor, or an intended destination outside the District; or
"(ii) Was paroled into the United States after April 1, 2022, under section 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, approved June 27, 1952 (66 Stat. 182; 8 U.S.C. § 1182(d)(5)), until the completion of their immigration proceedings, including any appeals, except for:
"(I) Individuals who entered the United States pursuant to a special parole program established by the federal government that is indicated on the parole or entry document; or
"(II) Individuals granted parole while residing outside of the United States; or"
"(iii) Cannot produce proof of residency documents required under sub-subparagraph (A)(iii) of this paragraph and has been issued, after April 1, 2022, a notice to appear in a proceeding to be held under section 240 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, approved June 27, 1952 (66 Stat. 182; 8 U.S.C. § 1229a), until the completion of their immigration proceedings, including any appeals.".
(b) Section 7(c)(3)(B) (D.C. Official Code § 4-753.01(c)(3)(B)) is amended to read as follows:
"(B) The Mayor shall determine that a person seeking shelter by reason of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, refugee status, or asylum, is a resident of the District without receiving a demonstration of District residency in accordance with
TITLE III. REPEAL; FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT; EFFECTIVE DATE
Sec. 301. The Migrant Services Eligibility Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2023, effective April 24, 2023 (D.C. Act 25-69; 70 DCR 6115), is repealed.
Sec. 302. Fiscal impact statement.
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement of the Chief Financial Officer as the fiscal impact statement required by the section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).
Sec. 303. Effective date.
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), and shall remain in effect for no longer than 90 days, as provided for emergency acts of the Council of the District of Columbia in section 412(a) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 788; D.C. Official Code § 1-204.12(a)).