SF 2535

1st Engrossment - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act;
requiring a report on case management and other social services; requiring a
report on the reduced Medicaid reimbursements; amending Laws 2005, First
Special Session chapter 4, article 7, section 59; proposing coding for new law
in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256K.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [256K.60] RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH ACT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) The definitions of this subdivision apply to this
section.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Homeless youth" means a person 21 years or younger who is unaccompanied
by a parent or guardian and is without shelter where appropriate care and supervision are
available, whose parent or legal guardian is unable or unwilling to provide shelter and
care, or who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The following are
not fixed, regular, or adequate nighttime residences:
new text end

new text begin (1) a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary
living accommodations;
new text end

new text begin (2) an institution publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide
temporary living accommodations;
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new text begin (3) transitional housing;
new text end

new text begin (4) a temporary placement with a peer, friend, or family member that has not offered
permanent residence, a residential lease, or temporary lodging for more than 30 days; or
new text end

new text begin (5) a public or private place not designed for, nor ordinarily used as, a regular
sleeping accommodation for human beings.
new text end

new text begin Homeless youth does not include persons incarcerated or otherwise detained under
federal or state law.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Youth at risk of homelessness" means a person 21 years or younger whose status
or circumstances indicate a significant danger of experiencing homelessness in the near
future. Status or circumstances that indicate a significant danger may include youth exiting
out-of-home placements, youth who previously were homeless, youth whose parents or
primary caregivers are or were previously homeless, youth who are exposed to abuse and
neglect in their homes, youth who experience conflict with parents due to chemical or
alcohol dependency, mental health disabilities, or other disabilities, and runaways.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Runaway" means an unmarried child under the age of 18 years who is absent
from the home of a parent or guardian or other lawful placement without the consent of
the parent, guardian, or lawful custodian.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Homeless and runaway youth initiative. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall
develop a comprehensive initiative for homeless youth, youth at risk of homelessness,
and runaways. The commissioner shall contract with organizations and public and private
agencies, including faith-based organizations, to provide street outreach, emergency
shelter services, drop-in services, family mediation counseling and conflict resolution,
transitional living services, case management services, life skills training, and family
reunification services to youth, to the extent that funds exist or become available. The
programs must be culturally competent to serve specific populations and must provide
voluntary services to homeless youth, youth at risk of homelessness, and runaways in an
appropriate and responsible manner.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall plan for and coordinate services for homeless, runaway,
and at-risk youth. The commissioner may provide support services required to achieve
the objectives and goals of the initiative.
new text end

new text begin (c) Nothing in this section relieves counties from existing responsibilities to provide
services for homeless youth, youth at risk of being homeless, or runaways under section
626.556, chapter 256E, or other applicable laws.
new text end

new text begin (d) Nothing in this section is intended to preclude homeless youth ages 18 to 21 from
utilizing other services or programs available to homeless adults.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Street and community outreach and drop-in program. new text end

new text begin Youth drop-in
centers must provide walk-in access to crisis intervention and on-going supportive services
including one-to-one case management services on a self-referral basis. Street and
community outreach programs must locate, contact, and provide information, referrals,
and services to homeless youth, youth at risk of homelessness, and runaways. Information,
referrals, and services provided may include, but are not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) family reunification services;
new text end

new text begin (2) conflict resolution or mediation counseling;
new text end

new text begin (3) assistance in obtaining temporary emergency shelter;
new text end

new text begin (4) assistance in obtaining food, clothing, medical care, or mental health counseling;
new text end

new text begin (5) counseling regarding violence, prostitution, substance abuse, sexually transmitted
diseases, and pregnancy;
new text end

new text begin (6) referrals to other agencies that provide support to services to homeless youth,
youth at risk of homelessness, and runaways;
new text end

new text begin (7) assistance with education, employment, and independent living skills;
new text end

new text begin (8) after-care services;
new text end

new text begin (9) specialized services for highly vulnerable runaways and homeless youth,
including teen parents, emotionally disturbed and mentally ill youth, and sexually
exploited youth; and
new text end

new text begin (10) homelessness prevention.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Emergency shelter program. new text end

new text begin (a) Emergency shelter programs must
provide homeless youth and runaways with referral and walk-in access to emergency,
short-term residential care. The program shall provide homeless youth and runaways with
safe, dignified shelter, including private shower facilities, beds, and at least one meal each
day, and shall assist a runaway with reunification with the family or legal guardian when
required or appropriate.
new text end

new text begin (b) The services provided at emergency shelters may include, but are not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) family reunification services;
new text end

new text begin (2) individual, family, and group counseling;
new text end

new text begin (3) assistance obtaining clothing;
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new text begin (4) access to medical and dental care and mental health counseling;
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new text begin (5) education and employment services;
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new text begin (6) recreational activities;
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new text begin (7) advocacy and referral services;
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new text begin (8) independent living skills training;
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new text begin (9) after-care and follow-up services;
new text end

new text begin (10) transportation; and
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new text begin (11) homelessness prevention.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Supportive housing and transitional living programs. new text end

new text begin Transitional
living programs must help homeless youth and youth at risk of homelessness to find and
maintain safe, dignified housing. The program may also provide rental assistance and
related supportive services, or refer youth to other organizations or agencies that provide
such services. Services provided may include, but are not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) educational assessment and referrals to educational programs;
new text end

new text begin (2) career planning, employment, work skill training, and independent living skills
training;
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new text begin (3) job placement;
new text end

new text begin (4) budgeting and money management;
new text end

new text begin (5) assistance in securing housing appropriate to needs and income;
new text end

new text begin (6) counseling regarding violence, prostitution, substance abuse, sexually transmitted
diseases, and pregnancy;
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new text begin (7) referral for medical services or chemical dependency treatment;
new text end

new text begin (8) parenting skills;
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new text begin (9) self-sufficiency support services or life skill training;
new text end

new text begin (10) after-care and follow-up services; and
new text end

new text begin (11) homelessness prevention.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 4, article 7, section 59, is amended to
read:

Sec. 59. REPORT TO LEGISLATURE.

The commissioner shall report to the legislature by December 15, 2006, on the
redesign of case management services. In preparing the report, the commissioner
shall consult with representatives for consumers, consumer advocates, counties, new text begin labor
organizations representing county social service workers, new text end and service providers. The
report shall include draft legislation for case management changes that will:

(1) streamline administration;

(2) improve consumer access to case management services;

(3) address the use of a comprehensive universal assessment protocol for persons
seeking community supports;

(4) establish case management performance measures;

(5) provide for consumer choice of the case management service vendor; and

(6) provide a method of payment for case management services that is cost-effective
and best supports the draft legislation in clauses (1) to (5).

Sec. 3. new text begin IMPACT ON REDUCED MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall report to the chair of the house Health
Policy and Finance Committee and the chairs of the senate Health and Family Security
Committee and Health and Human Services Budget Division by December 1, 2006, on the
impact of reduced Medicaid reimbursements resulting from the federal Deficit Reduction
Act of 2005. The report shall include options to restore lost revenues and ensure the
continuation of targeted case management and other affected social services.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 2007, from the general
fund to the commissioner of human services for purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section
256K.50.
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Sec. 5. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 2 and 3 are effective the day following final enactment.
new text end