The Promoting Parental Engagement at DYRS Amendment Act of 2026 amends section 16-2319 of the District of Columbia Official Code to mandate that the Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services (DYRS) make recurring efforts to contact a child's parent, guardian, or custodian at least every six months following a scheduled predisposition meeting. This communication is intended to inform them about the child's progress on their individualized rehabilitation plan. Additionally, the bill amends section 104 of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services Establishment Act of 2004 to require the department to maintain an electronic record of these contact attempts, which must be made available to the Chair of the Council committee overseeing DYRS.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new requirements for DYRS to contact a child's parent, guardian, or custodian within 24 hours if the child is transferred to a different facility or receives emergency medical treatment. It also mandates the keeping of an electronic log of all contact efforts, which must be provided to the child's parent, guardian, or custodian upon request. These changes aim to enhance parental engagement in the rehabilitation process and ensure that families are kept informed about their child's care and progress.