# Subtitle 22 – Children, Youth, and Families
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
## Part I – Definitions
### § 22-1 Definitions.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-1 (2026)
(a) In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(b) “Children” means individuals under the age of 14 years.
(c) “Commission” means the Baltimore City Youth Commission.
(d) “Office” means the Office of Children and Family Success.
(e) “Task Force” means the Baltimore City Trauma-Informed Care Task Force.
(f) “Youth” means an individual between the ages of 14 and 25, inclusive.
*History: Ord. 86-781*
*History: Ord. 04-820*
*History: Ord. 07-431*
*History: Ord. 20-341*
### § 22-2
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-2 (2026)
Reserved
## Part II – Youth Commission
### § 22-3 Purpose.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-3 (2026)
The purpose of this Part II is to allow youth the opportunity to provide advice, recommendations, and information for the Mayor, the City Council, and municipal agencies on the development of coordinated community and government policies, programs, and services that support children, youth, and their families.
*History: Ord. 86-781*
*History: Ord. 04-820*
### § 22-4 Commission established.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-4 (2026)
There is a Baltimore City Youth Commission.
*History: Ord. 86-781*
*History: Ord. 04-820*
### § 22-5 Composition.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-5 (2026)
(a) The Commission comprises 17 members .
(b)
(1) The members shall be appointed by the Mayor, in accordance with City Charter Article IV, § 6, as follows:
(i) 1 youth from each of the 14 Council Districts, at least 1 of whom is not a graduate of or then enrolled in a traditional educational program; and
(ii) 3 at-large youths recommended by the President of the City Council.
(2) Each member of the Commission must be a resident of Baltimore City.
*History: Ord. 86-781*
*History: Ord. 04-820*
*History: Ord. 12-003*
*History: *
### § 22-6 Terms, organization, meetings, etc.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-6 (2026)
(a)
(1) The term of a member expires at the end of the Mayor’s term.
(2) At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(3) A member may only serve a maximum of 2 terms.
(b) The members of the Commission serve with compensation based on hours served, as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates.
(c)
(1) The Mayor shall designate a member to serve as Commission Chair.
(2) At the beginning of each term and after all members are appointed, the Commission Chair shall call a meeting of the Commission and the Commission shall elect members to serve as:
(i) Vice Chair;
(ii) Treasurer; and
(iii) Secretary.
(d)
(1) There is an Executive Committee in the Commission that comprises the following members:
(i) the Chair;
(ii) the Vice Chair;
(iii) the Treasurer;
(iv) the Secretary; and
(v) an at-large member, who shall be elected by majority vote of the Commissioners at the Commission’s first meeting.
(2) The Executive Committee:
(i) may appoint Committees to assist the Commission in carrying out its functions and duties; and
(ii) shall generally oversee the administration of the Commission.
(e)
(1) The Commission shall meet on the call of the Chair as frequently as required to perform its duties, but not less than 1 time each month.
(2) A majority of the members constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.
(3) An affirmative vote of at least a majority of a quorum is needed for any official action.
(f)
(1) The Commission must adopt bylaws to govern its meetings and operations.
(2) The Commission must adopt bylaws within 60 days of electing the Executive Committee.
(3) The Commission must review, revise, and re-adopt the bylaws within 60 days of electing a new Executive Committee after the start of each new Mayoral term.
(g) The Office of Children and Family Success, or its successor, shall:
(1) provide staff to the Commission; and
(2) provide the personnel and capital support necessary for the Commission to perform its duties, as provided for in the Ordinance of Estimates.
(h) Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act - Regulations”} of the City General Provisions Article, the Commission may adopt rules and regulations to govern its meetings and operations.
*History: Ord. 86-781*
*History: Ord. 99-526*
*History: Ord. 04-820*
*History: Ord. 16-503*
*History: Text Conformed 02/09/21*
*History: *
### § 22-7 Duties.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-7 (2026)
The Commission shall:
(1) create and deliver a year-end annual report on Commission activities to the Mayor and City Council;
(2) review resources available to children and youth and provide feedback regarding effectiveness to the respective resource administrator;
(3) host and participate in public forums with and about children and youth;
(4) advocate for resources for children and youth;
(5) make recommendations for programs, policies, procedures, or legislation deemed necessary to promote the well-being of children, youth, and their families;
(6) raise awareness of resources available to children, youth, and their families; and
(7) review and evaluate existing and proposed policies, programs, and legislation as they relate to the well-being of children, youth, and their families.
*History: Ord. 86-781*
*History: Ord. 04-820*
*History: *
### § 22-8 Agency cooperation.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-8 (2026)
All City officials and agencies shall cooperate with the Commission and extend the services and facilities that the Commission requires to the extent that the officials and agencies are able to do so given personnel and budgets as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates.
*History: *
## Part III – Office of Children and Family Success
### § 22-9 Office established.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-9 (2026)
There is an Office of Children and Family Success in the Office of the Mayor.
*History: Ord. 86-781*
*History: Ord. 04-820*
*History: Ord. 20-341*
### § 22-10 Director – appointment.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-10 (2026)
The Director of the Office is appointed by the Mayor in accordance with Article IV, § 6 of the City Charter.
*History: Ord. 86-781*
*History: Ord. 04-820*
### § 22-11 Director – powers and duties.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-11 (2026)
The Director shall:
(1) identify the needs of children and youth according to age, location, and special services required;
(2) identify public and private services available to children, youth, and families;
(3) identify changes in public policy, service delivery, and funding necessary to improve the services available to children, youth, and families;
(4) serve as a community voice for children and youth;
(5) develop and implement programs to benefit children and youth;
(6) provide staff and serve as advisor to the Commission;
(7) serve as ex-officio member and advisor to the Task Force;
(8) generally promote the well-being of all children and youth of Baltimore City;
(9) be represented on any other special committee or task force that considers matters relating to children and youth, and work with the various boards, commissions, and municipal agencies that interact with the Office as deemed appropriate;
(10) perform such other duties as required by the Mayor; and
(11) review proposed legislation referred to the Office by the City Council, assessing its probable effect on the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual welfare of the children of this City.
*History: Ord. 86-781*
*History: Ord. 91-663*
*History: Ord. 04-820*
*History: Ord. 20-341*
### § 22-12 Staff and budget.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-12 (2026)
(a) The Office may employ staff in accordance with the Ordinance of Estimates.
(b) The Office may expend funds authorized in the Ordinance of Estimates or any supplemental appropriations.
*History: Ord. 86-781*
*History: Ord. 04-820*
### §§ 22-13 to 22-14
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-13 to 22-14 (2026)
Reserved
## Part IV – Trauma-Informed Care; Trauma-Responsiveness
### § 22-15 Trauma-informed care initiative.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-15 (2026)
In addition to any other duties set forth in this subtitle, it is the duty of the Office to coordinate a citywide initiative to prioritize the trauma-responsive and trauma-informed delivery of city services impacting children, youth, and families.
*History: Ord. 20-341*
### § 22-16 Trauma-Informed Care Task Force – Established.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-16 (2026)
There is a Baltimore City Trauma-Informed Care Task Force.
*History: Ord. 20-341*
### § 22-17 Trauma-Informed Care Task Force – Composition.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-17 (2026)
(a) The Task Force comprises 37 members, 30 of whom are appointed by the Mayor under Article IV, § 6 of the City Charter and 7 of whom are ex-officio members.
(b) Of the 30 members appointed by the Mayor:
(1) 3 shall be youth representatives from a youth-led advocacy group in Baltimore City;
(2) 2 shall be individuals with at least one child enrolled in the Baltimore City Public School System;
(3) 1 shall be a licensed clinician with an expertise in trauma and healing;
(4) 2 shall be members of the research community with an expertise in trauma and healing;
(5) 1 shall be a representative of an organization with an explicit focus on racial equity in its organizational mission statement;
(6) 1 shall be an individual between 14 and 25 years of age;
(7) 1 shall be a individual licensed to practice in the State of Maryland as a physician with a specialty in pediatrics;
(8) 1 shall be a representative of an organization with an explicit focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) advocacy in its organizational mission statement;
(9) 1 shall be a naturalized citizen or a resident alien;
(10) 1 shall be an individual who has recently exited from the Maryland correctional system;
(11) 1 shall be an employee of the Baltimore City Public School System;
(12) 3 shall be representatives from community organizations, nonprofit organizations, or youth organizations that have an expertise in trauma and healing;
(13) 2 shall be educators within the Baltimore City Public School System;
(14) 2 shall be individuals licensed to practice in the State of Maryland as social workers; and
(15) 8 shall be recommended by the City Council President as follows:
(i) 2 City Councilmembers as follows:
(A) 1 Councilmember with experience as an educator within the Baltimore City Public School System, who shall serve as co-chair if appointed; and
(B) 1 Councilmember with experience as a parent of a student within the Baltimore City Public School System;
(ii) 1 youth representative from a youth-led advocacy group in Baltimore City;
(iii) 1 representative of an organization with an explicit focus on racial equity in its organizational mission statement;
(iv) 1 licensed clinician with an expertise in trauma and healing; and
(v) 3 representatives from community organizations, nonprofit organizations, or youth-led or youth-oriented organizations that have an expertise in trauma and healing.
(c) The 7 ex-officio members of the Task Force are:
(1) the Director of the Office;
(2) the Commissioner of the Baltimore City Department of Health or the Commissioner’s designee;
(3) the Director of the Department of Planning or the Director’s designee;
(4) the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks or the Director’s designee;
(5) the Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development or the Commissioner’s designee;
(6) the City Council President; and
(7) the Youth Commission Chair.
*History: Ord. 20-341*
*History: Ord. 20-403*
### § 22-18 Trauma-Informed Care Task Force – Terms, organization, etc.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-18 (2026)
(a) Appointed members serve for a term of 4 years concurrent with the term of the Mayor’s term of office.
(b) Members serve on the Task Force without compensation.
(c)
(1) At the end of a term, an appointed member serves until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(2) A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves out the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(d)
(1) The Task Force shall meet on the call of one or both of the Task Force co-chairs as frequently as required to perform its duties, but not less than 6 times a year.
(2) A majority of the members of the Task Force constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business, and an affirmative vote by the majority of a quorum is sufficient for any official action.
(e)
(1) As provided in this subsection, the Task Force shall have 2 co-chairs designated.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Mayor may designate any member of the Task Force to serve as 1 of the co-chairs.
(3) The City Council President shall designate the City Councilmember serving ex-officio under § 22-17(b)(15)(i)(A) as co-chair of the task force.
*History: Ord. 20-341*
*History: Ord. 20-403*
### § 22-19 Trauma-Informed Care Task Force – Staff.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-19 (2026)
The Office shall provide adequate staff for the Task Force to carry out its duties.
*History: Ord. 20-341*
### § 22-20 Trauma-Informed Care Task Force – Duties.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-20 (2026)
The Task Force shall:
(1) assist in the identification of all City programs and services that impact children and youth;
(2) assist in the development of a citywide strategy toward an organizational culture shift into a trauma-responsive City government;
(3) establish metrics, in collaboration with the Baltimore City Department of Health, to evaluate and assess the progress of the citywide trauma-informed care initiative;
(4) coordinate and develop with the Baltimore City Department of Health any formal or informal trauma-informed care training;
(5) disseminate information within City government regarding best practices for preventing and mitigating the impact of trauma on and facilitating healing with children, youth, and families;
(6) advise and assist the Mayor and City Council in providing oversight and accountability in implementing the requirements of this part;
(7) perform any other duties as required by the Mayor.
*History: Ord. 20-341*
### § 22-21 Trauma-informed care training.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-21 (2026)
(a)
(1) In this section, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(2) “Agency” means:
(i) the Baltimore City Fire Department;
(ii) the Baltimore City Parking Authority;
(iii) the Baltimore Police Department;
(iv) the Department of Finance;
(v) the Department of Law;
(vi) the Department of Housing and Community Development;
(vii) the Department of Planning;
(viii) the Department of Public Works;
(ix) the Department of Recreation and Parks;
(x) the Department of Transportation;
(xi) the Environmental Control Board;
(xii) the Enoch Pratt Free Library of Baltimore City;
(xiii) the Mayors Office of Criminal Justice;
(xiv) the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development; and
(xv) the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services.
(3) “Formal training” means a didactic course or curriculum in trauma-informed care that is:
(i) developed by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Maryland Department of Health, or the Baltimore City Department of Health; and
(ii) provided by the Baltimore City Department of Health or its designee in collaboration with the Task Force.
(b) Each Task Force member shall participate in at least 1 formal training each year.
(c)
(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, each agency head shall designate 2 agency staff members to:
(i) participate in at least 1 formal training each year;
(ii) collaborate with other agency designees in periodic worksessions and other informal trainings as organized by the Baltimore City Department of Health from time to time;
(iii) serve as the principal advisors to the agency head and agency staff in trauma-responsiveness and trauma-informed care;
(iv) collaborate with the agency’s equity coordinator, as designated under § 39-8 {“Agency implementation – Equity Coordinator”} of this article, to ensure that the agency’s equity assessment program is trauma-informed and trauma-responsive;
(v) assess the agency for training and technical assistance needs related to trauma-responsiveness and trauma-informed care; and
(vi) review and make appropriate recommendations to the agency head to align agency policies and practices with a trauma-intensive approach.
(2) Of the 2 agency staff members designated under paragraph (1) of this subsection:
(i) 1 staff member shall be an individual who:
(A) has decision-making authority in developing City policy; or
(B) serves as a principal advisor to the agency head; and
(ii) 1 staff member shall be an individual who, within the course of the individual’s City employment, routinely and directly interacts with community members.
(3) In the event of a vacancy of one or both of the staff members, the agency head shall, within 90 days of the vacancy, designate another staff member to carry out the duties of this subsection.
(d)
(1) The Baltimore City Department of Health shall provide any technical advisory support to designated agency staff in order for those individuals to carry out their duties under subsection (c)(1) of this section.
(2) The Department of Human Resources shall ensure compliance with the requirements of this section and report to the Task Force as necessary any difficulties regarding agency implementation.
(e) On or before March 31 of each year, each agency head shall submit to the Task Force a progress report detailing its agency’s progress and compliance with subsection (c) of this section.
*History: Ord. 20-341*
*History: *
### § 22-22 Annual report.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 22-22 (2026)
On or before June 30 of each year, utilizing its established evaluation and assessment metrics and its expertise, the Task Force shall submit a report to the Mayor and City Council containing:
(1) an assessment of the implementation of trauma-informed care within each agency as defined in § 22-21(a)(2) of this subtitle;
(2) an assessment of the trauma-responsiveness of each agency as defined in § 22-21(a)(2) of this subtitle; and
(3) any recommendations regarding improvements to existing laws relating to children, youth, and families in Baltimore City.
*History: Ord. 20-341*