The Youth Commission was created in December 2005. In 2003 Mayor Sheila Dixon, then City Council President, sponsored a bill along with other council members to form the Youth Commission. The Council wanted to designate a body of young people in the city to allow youth the opportunity to provide advice, recommendations and information for the Mayor, City Council and municipal agencies on the development of community involvement, government practices and policies, programs and services that support children, youth and their families. In November 2004, then Mayor Martin O’Malley signed the bill.