HF 3627

1st Engrossment - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 04/09/2018 03:59pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; requiring the commissioner to update the 2007
legislative report on homeless youth; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section
256K.45, subdivision 2.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256K.45, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Homeless youth report.

The commissioner shall prepare a biennial report,
beginning in February 2015, which provides meaningful information to the legislative
committees having jurisdiction over the issue of homeless youth, that includes, but is not
limited to: (1) a list of the areas of the state with the greatest need for services and housing
for homeless youth, and the level and nature of the needs identified; (2) details about grants
made; (3) the distribution of funds throughout the state based on population need; (4)
follow-up information, if available, on the status of homeless youth and whether they have
stable housing two years after services are provided; and (5) any other outcomes for
populations served to determine the effectiveness of the programs and use of funding. new text begin The
commissioner is exempt from preparing this report in 2019 and must instead update the
2007 report on homeless youth under section 2.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin 2018 REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON HOMELESS YOUTH.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Report development. new text end

new text begin In lieu of the biennial homeless youth report under
Minnesota Statutes, section 256K.45, subdivision 2, the commissioner of human services
shall update the information in the 2007 legislative report on runaway and homeless youth.
In developing the updated report, the commissioner may use existing data, studies, and
analysis provided by state, county, and other entities including, but not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) Minnesota Housing Finance Agency analysis on housing availability;
new text end

new text begin (2) Minnesota state plan to end homelessness;
new text end

new text begin (3) continuum of care counts of youth experiencing homelessness and assessments as
provided by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-required coordinated
entry systems;
new text end

new text begin (4) data collected through the Department of Human Services Homeless Youth Act grant
program;
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new text begin (5) Wilder Research homeless study;
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new text begin (6) Voices of Youth Count sponsored by Hennepin County; and
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new text begin (7) privately funded analysis, including:
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new text begin (i) nine evidence-based principles to support youth in overcoming homelessness;
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new text begin (ii) return on investment analysis conducted for YouthLink by Foldes Consulting; and
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new text begin (iii) evaluation of Homeless Youth Act resources conducted by Rainbow Research.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Key elements; due date. new text end

new text begin (a) The report must include three key elements where
significant learning has occurred in the state since the 2007 report, including:
new text end

new text begin (1) unique causes of youth homelessness;
new text end

new text begin (2) targeted responses to youth homelessness, including significance of positive youth
development as fundamental to each targeted response; and
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new text begin (3) recommendations based on existing reports and analysis on what it will take to end
youth homelessness.
new text end

new text begin (b) To the extent data is available, the report must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) general accounting of the federal and philanthropic funds leveraged to support
homeless youth activities;
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new text begin (2) general accounting of the increase in volunteer responses to support youth
experiencing homelessness; and
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new text begin (3) data-driven accounting of geographic areas or distinct populations that have gaps in
service or are not yet served by homeless youth responses.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner of human services shall consult with community-based providers
of homeless youth services and other expert stakeholders to complete the report. The
commissioner shall submit the report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over youth homelessness by February 15, 2019.
new text end