Gaston comments on Intro 447, Intro 629, and Intro 977
Gaston comments on the legislation before the committee. She supports Intro 447's alternatives guide, appreciates Intro 629's intent while assessing confidentiality issues, and says ACS supports annual anti-trafficking training under Intro 977, noting 2025 training reach.
The proposed legislation, 447-2026, sponsored by Chair Stevens, would require ACS, in consultation with the Department of Youth and Community Development, DOP, and Mach J,
to develop a guide containing information about available alternative to detention and alternative to incarceration programs.
And then distribute it to judges, attorneys, public defender organizations, youth advocates, and district attorneys.
ACS agrees with and appreciates the Council's interest in ensuring court partners are aware of the programs available to serve youth in community.
We look forward to working with the Council and our partner agencies on legislation to ensure this critical information is readily available for all of our partners.
Introduce Bill 629-2026, sponsored by Councilmember Ressler, would create teams
comprised of city agencies, service providers, to review factors such as charges, mental health needs, and psychosocial conditions related to the youth's circumstances and consult with
case management related to the youth circumstances, consulting with case management, programmatic and education staff for every youth in detention after seven days and every six months thereafter.
This to identify youth in detention who could be subject for early case resolution or release pre-trial.
ACS appreciates the intent of this bill and agrees that no youth who does not need to be in detention should be in detention.
ACS is working closely with the law department to assess the proposal's interaction with confidentiality protections in existing law.
We look forward to working with the council on this proposal as well.
Introduce proposal 977-2026, sponsored by Council Member Lewis.
Would require ACS and DYCD mandate annual staff trainings related to identifying sexually exploited youth.
ACS shared information about our array of trainings at a hearing in 2025.
As an update, in 2025, ACS provided 90 trainings, which filled over 16,000 training seats, mostly virtual, some in person, and some individuals may have been counted more than once.
Over 3,000 people participated in these trainings that specifically addressed ACS anti-trafficking policy and screening procedures.
ACS appreciates the importance of this type of training and the value of an annual mandated training.
ACS again looks forward to working with the council on this legislation.