The joint custody option has been used increasingly by the project in the absence of a standby guardianship law. Nevertheless, project staff and other child services providers have realized the need to extend the options for life planning for District residents. In 2001 policy development efforts were underway to obtain passage of District standby guardianship legislation, which has been established in 21 states, including the neighboring states of Virginia and Maryland. Project staff, subcontractors and other District child advocacy organizations commissioned an attorney to draft legislation and obtained agreement from the chair of the Human Services Committee of the District of Columbia Council to introduce the bill. A Web site (http://www.standbyguardianship.org) was created by the Family Ties Project to inform advocates and other stakeholders of the bill and its status. Links to relevant sites and reports in other states are provided.
The Standby Guardian Act of 2001, Bill 14-309, was introduced July 10, 2001 with 6 cosponsors. At a public hearing on the bill held in the fall 2001, advocates were reportedly encouraged by the interest and support shown by District of Columbia council members. On January 9, 2002 the Committee on Human Services unanimously approved the bill. Local advocates and supporters are working to ensure its enactment in 2002.