DC Code § 38-371 (2021)
2021 District of Columbia Code|Title 38 - Educational Institutions|Chapter 3B - Office of the Student Advocate|§ 38-371. Office of the Student Advocate

(a) There is established within the State Board of Education ("Board") an Office of the Student Advocate ("Office"), which shall be headed by a Chief Advocate who shall be appointed by the Board for a term of 5 years and may be reappointed. (b) After notice and an opportunity to be heard, the Chief Advocate may be removed by a 2/3 vote of the Board only for cause that relates to the Chief Advocate's character or efficiency. (c) If a vacancy in the position of Chief Advocate occurs as a consequence of resignation, removal, disability, death, or reasons other than the expiration of the term, the Board shall appoint a Chief Advocate to fill the unexpired term within 75 days of the occurrence of the vacancy. (d) The purpose of the Chief Advocate is to advocate on behalf of current and prospective public school students and their parents or guardians before the Office of Ombudsman for Public Education or public school officials and to provide community outreach, assistance, and information on public education issues. (d-1) The Chief Advocate shall serve as the exclusive personnel authority for employees of the Office and may hire staff to support the Office's operations consistent with the Office's budget. (d-2) The Chief Advocate shall have exclusive authority to administer the Office's budget, subject to the oversight of the State Board of Education to ensure compliance with District law. (e) For the purposes of this chapter, the term "public school" means District of Columbia Public Schools and public charter schools in the District of Columbia.  (Feb. 22, 2014, D.C. Law 20-76, § 202, 61 DCR 39; Apr. 7, 2017, D.C. Law 21-252, § 4(a), 64 DCR 1656.)  Applicability Section 7029 of D.C. Law 22-33 repealed § 6 of D.C. Law 21-252. Therefore the changes made to this section by D.C. Law 21-252 have been given effect.  Applicability of D.C. Law 21-252: § 6 of D.C. Law 21-252 provided that the change made to this section by § 4(a)(2) of D.C. Law 21-252 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented. Section 7008 of D.C. Law 22-33 repealed § 401 of D.C. Law 20-76. Therefore the changes made to this section by D.C. Law 20-76 have been given effect.  Applicability of D.C. Law 20-76: § 401 of D.C. Law 20-76 provided that the change made to this section by § 202 of D.C. Law 20-76 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented. Emergency Legislation  For temporary (90 days) repeal of § 6 of D.C. Law 21-252, see § 7029 of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2017 (D.C. Act 22-167, Oct. 24, 2017, 64 DCR 10802).   For temporary (90 days) repeal of § 401 of D.C. Law 20-76, see § 7008 of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2017 (D.C. Act 22-167, Oct. 24, 2017, 64 DCR 10802).   For temporary (90 days) repeal of § 6 of D.C. Law 21-252, see § 7029 of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2017 (D.C. Act 22-104, July 20, 2017, 64 DCR 7032).   For temporary (90 days) repeal of § 401 of D.C. Law 20-76, see § 7008 of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2017 (D.C. Act 22-104, July 20, 2017, 64 DCR 7032).