HF 697

1st Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/07/2013 03:25pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing a Homeless Youth Task Force.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin HOMELESS YOUTH TASK FORCE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall establish
and provide staffing for a task force regarding the homelessness of youth in Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The Homeless Youth Task Force shall study:
new text end

new text begin (1) the causes and effects of homelessness and ways to ameliorate or eradicate them;
new text end

new text begin (2) issues which interconnect with homeless youth, such as mental health, chemical
dependency, trafficking of youth whether for sex or other purposes, exiting from the
foster care system, proper cognitive brain development for both IQ and executive
functions as well as for noncognitive functions, physical health, gangs, parent training,
and intervention; and
new text end

new text begin (3) any other issues the commissioner deems appropriate, after consulting with the
chair and ranking minority members of the Early Childhood and Youth Development
Committee in the house of representatives and the chair and ranking minority members of
the Health and Human Services Policy Committee in the senate.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin The Homeless Youth Task Force shall include:
new text end

new text begin (1) representatives from state agencies which address issues related to homeless
youth;
new text end

new text begin (2) representatives from the court system;
new text end

new text begin (3) children in need of protection;
new text end

new text begin (4) law enforcement;
new text end

new text begin (5) individuals or members of private agencies who have experience in delinquency,
housing issues, social work, or education systems;
new text end

new text begin (6) faculty or staff at institutions of higher education who have knowledge of issues
affecting homeless youth; and
new text end

new text begin (7) representatives from counties.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The Homeless Youth Task Force shall issue a report by December
1, 2013, with preliminary findings and suggestions for possible action by the legislature in
2014, and shall issue a final report by November 1, 2014.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Statewide visible child plan. new text end

new text begin The commissioners of education, health,
housing finance, and human services shall jointly prepare a statewide plan to improve the
well-being of children who are experiencing or have experienced homelessness, especially
young children. The plan shall also address issues experienced by children in families
who are at risk of homelessness or who are living in unstable housing. In preparing the
plan, the commissioners shall utilize the recommendations of the Minnesota Visible Child
Work Group authorized in Laws 2012, chapter 247, article 3, section 27. The statewide
plan shall be presented to the legislative committees having jurisdiction over education,
health, housing finance, and human services by September 1, 2014.
new text end