District of ColumbiaB26-0399Council Period 26 (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

Support, Opportunity, Unity, Legal Relationships (SOUL) Amendment Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Zachary Parker (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Clear care rights for foster youth

A SOUL Family agreement assigns education, health, information access, money, activity, and military-enlistment decisions, plus care duties. Unassigned rights stay with their previous holder, and youth keep the decision-making rights DC law gives them. Unless the court orders otherwise, caregivers have physical custody until the youth turns 18. With multiple caregivers, a named lead caregiver settles care disagreements while the youth is under 18. Youth can ask the court to add or remove members or change rights, duties, and agreement terms. A parent can seek changes only before the youth turns 18 and after a substantial, material change in the youth’s circumstances. The court must find a requested change is more likely than not in the youth’s best interests.

Legal help for foster youth’s choices

The court must appoint an attorney for the youth if their guardian ad litem does not support the SOUL agreement. That attorney represents the youth’s stated wishes. The guardian ad litem continues to represent the youth’s best interests. A caregiver can ask the Child and Family Services Agency for help getting legal representation, but that help is optional.

New family pathway for older foster youth

The law creates SOUL, a legal family pathway for DC youth ages 16 to under 21. Youth must have been found neglected by a court and be in the Child and Family Services Agency’s custody. Only the youth can start the process. At the youth’s request, the court must change the permanency plan to SOUL unless it finds this against their best interests. A final family order and neglect-case closure require at least 6 months in the arrangement and the youth’s closure request. The court must find the arrangement serves the youth’s best interests. The order does not end existing legal ties to parents or siblings. Court oversight can continue until 21 with the youth’s consent at 18 and a best-interest finding. The law’s application depends on certified funding in an approved DC budget and financial plan.

Housing help for youth and caregivers

The Mayor can provide subsidies to SOUL youth and caregivers who provide housing, regardless of their state of residence. Payments depend on available funding, are not guaranteed, and have no amount set by this law. Eligibility ends when the youth turns 21. Through age 18 years and 6 months, housing caregivers receive the subsidy. After that age, half goes to the youth and half to housing caregivers. Caregivers can decline some or all of their share, which then goes to the youth. Youth 18 or older who establish they live apart from a SOUL Caregiver can request the full subsidy. The agency must honor that request for funded payments. A subsidy agreement must be part of the family agreement. The agency must explain subsidy eligibility and public-benefit effects, and the family agreement must describe interactions with other benefits.

Foster care return barred after 18

Youth who leave foster care for a SOUL Family cannot return to foster care after turning 18. This restriction applies even if their SOUL living arrangement ends or their needs change.

Private youth records carry misuse penalties

SOUL case records follow DC’s confidentiality rules for child-neglect records. Willfully disclosing, receiving, or using protected information against those rules is a misdemeanor. Knowingly permitting unlawful use is also covered. Penalties include a fine under DC law, up to 90 days in jail, or both. DC’s Office of the Attorney General prosecutes violations.

Safety checks for new youth caregivers

Proposed SOUL Caregivers must follow DC’s existing child-abuse prevention approval and background-check framework. Proposed SOUL Supporters must follow that framework when the Family Court requires their approval. These checks add safeguards for youth and approval requirements for participating adults.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Zachary Parker
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 26 • No: 0

House vote • 6/2/2026

Final Reading, CC

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 5/5/2026

First Reading, CC