SF 2741

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;
establishing a pilot project for youth during out-of-school time; requiring a
report from the commissioner of education on out-of-school time opportunities
for youth ages ten to 18; appropriating money; 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.50] RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH ACT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Findings and needs. new text end

new text begin There are hundreds of homeless youth in
Minnesota every night and many come from homes of abuse and neglect or have been
abandoned. Homeless and runaway youth are largely an invisible population. Many
homeless and runaway youth have no families or primary caregivers. Many are exploited
by adults or are forced to compromise their values to survive on the streets. Homeless
and runaway youth are in need of outreach, crisis intervention, adult mentorship, family
reunification, safe drop-in spaces, shelter, housing, case management services, and life
skills training. It is necessary to offer a continuum of care and services directed at
homeless and runaway youth.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. 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;
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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;
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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. 3. 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 provide funding to counties to 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. 4. 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 ongoing 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;
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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. 5. 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;
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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;
new text end

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;
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new text begin (10) transportation; and
new text end

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

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

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

new text begin Supportive
housing and 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;
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new text begin (4) budgeting and money management;
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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. new text begin REPORT ON OUT-OF-SCHOOL CARE FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN
THE AGES OF TEN TO 18.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education, in consultation with the commissioners of human
services and public safety, shall provide a report to the legislature by January 20, 2007,
which surveys and analyzes out-of-school time opportunities for children ages ten to 18.
The commissioner must gather representative information from urban, suburban, and
rural areas regarding where children go after their school day is over and during school
breaks. Further, the commissioner shall communicate with members of the community,
parents of children ages ten to 18, child care providers, middle school personnel, and other
interested individuals to gather information and develop positive, supervised out-of-school
alternatives for children ages ten to 18, in order to reduce the incidence of sexual activity,
underage drinking and smoking, use of illegal substances, and other criminal activity.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH DURING OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin A competitive statewide after-school enrichment
grant program is established to provide implementation grants to community or nonprofit
organizations, to political subdivisions, or to school-based programs. The commissioner
of education shall develop criteria for after-school enrichment programs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Program outcomes. new text end

new text begin The expected outcomes of the after-school
enrichment programs are to:
new text end

new text begin (1) increase the number of children participating in adult-supervised programs
in nonschool hours;
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new text begin (2) increase the number of youth engaged in community services and other activities
designed to support character improvement, strengthen families, and instill community
values;
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new text begin (3) increase skills in technology, the arts, sports, and other activities;
new text end

new text begin (4) reduce the amount of juvenile crime;
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new text begin (5) increase and support the academic achievement and character development of
adolescent parents;
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new text begin (6) increase school attendance and reduce the number of school suspensions; and
new text end

new text begin (7) support academic achievement, including the areas of reading and math.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Plan. new text end

new text begin An applicant shall develop a plan for an after-school enrichment
program for youth. The plan must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) collaboration with and leverage of existing community resources that have
demonstrated effectiveness;
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new text begin (2) outreach to children and youth;
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new text begin (3) involvement of local governments, including park and recreation boards or
schools, unless no government agency is appropriate; and
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new text begin (4) community control over the design of the enrichment program and identification
of the sources of nonpublic funding.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Plan approval; grants. new text end

new text begin An applicant shall submit a plan developed under
subdivision 3 to the commissioner for approval. The commissioner shall award a grant for
the implementation of an approved plan.
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.
new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 2007, from the general fund
to the commissioner of education for the purposes of section 3.
new text end