Bill > B26-0482

This bill establishes a smartphone application and website called DC Youth Links, designed to help young District of Columbia residents between 14-24 years old find paid employment opportunities, with a focus on reducing workforce entry barriers for youth experiencing economic hardship. The Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) will contract with a third-party developer to create a centralized platform where employers can post jobs and youth can search, filter, and apply for positions, with features including job filtering by skills, wage, location, and hours, as well as a feedback mechanism. The bill requires participating employers to complete training on labor laws, workplace safety standards, and youth employment regulations, and mandates that they be licensed in DC, respond promptly to workplace abuse reports, and provide youth with labor law information. Eligible participants must be DC residents, and the DME will be responsible for recruiting employers across all eight city wards, prioritizing opportunities accessible by public transit. The bill also requires comprehensive annual reporting on the program's performance, including detailed demographics of youth participants, employer characteristics, job placements, and user experiences, with the goal of creating a transparent and effective youth employment tool that specifically supports young people facing economic challenges.

https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/B26-0482