Title
Providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal
set forth in a Resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia
Home Rule Charter relating to the creation of the Office of the Youth Ombudsperson; and authorizing and directing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. There shall be submitted for the approval or disapproval of the qualified electors of
the City of Philadelphia at the election to be held May 19, 2026, an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter contained in Resolution _____, approved by Council on ____, and filed in the Office of the Clerk of Council.
SECTION 2. There shall be placed on the ballot the following question to be answered "Yes" or
"No" by the qualified electors participating in the election:
Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to provide for the creation of the Office of the Youth Ombudsperson to improve the safety and quality of services for youth placed in juvenile justice, child welfare, and behavioral health residential care facilities, and to authorize City Council to determine additional powers and duties of the Youth Ombudsperson as needed to carry out this mission?
SECTION 3. The Clerk of Council is hereby directed to (i) certify to the Board of Elections,
within five days of this Ordinance becoming law, a copy of this Ordinance and Resolution No.
___; and (ii) to have printed in pamphlet form, in sufficient number for general distribution,
the proposed amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter as set forth in Resolution No.
___, together with the ballot question set forth in Section 2 of this Ordinance.
SECTION 4. The Clerk of Council is hereby directed to cause to be published one time, during
the three (3) weeks preceding the election on May 19, 2026, in three (3) newspapers of general c...
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