[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5524 Introduced in House (IH)]
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5524
To amend the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize
appropriations, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 4, 2008
Mr. Yarmuth (for himself, Mrs. Biggert, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr.
Cohen, Ms. Berkley, Mr. Chandler, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Holt, Ms.
Schakowsky, Ms. Bordallo, and Mr. Davis of Illinois) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and
Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize
appropriations, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act of
2008''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Section 302 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5701)
is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) as
paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively, and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) services to such young people should be developed and
provided using a positive youth development approach that
ensures the young person a sense of--
``(A) safety and structure;
``(B) belonging and membership;
``(C) self-worth and social contribution;
``(D) independence and control over one's life; and
``(E) closeness in interpersonal relationships.''.
SEC. 3. BASIC CENTER PROGRAM.
(a) Services Provided.--Section 311(a) of the Runaway and Homeless
Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5711(a)) is amended--
(1) by amending paragraph (2)(B)(i) to read as follows:
``(i) safe and appropriate shelter provided
not to exceed 15 days, or not to exceed 21 days
if the center is located in a State or locality
with a child or youth-serving-facility
licensure law or regulation that permits a
length of stay in excess of 15 days; and'', and
(2) in subsection (b)(2)--
(A) by striking ``$100,000'' and inserting
``$150,000'',
(B) by striking ``$45,000'' and inserting
``$70,000'', and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``Whenever the Secretary determines than any part of the amount
allotted under paragraph (1) with respect to a State will not be
obligated before the end of the fiscal year, the Secretary shall
reallot such part with respect to the remaining States for obligation
for such fiscal year.''.
(b) Eligibility.--Section 312(b) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth
Act (42 U.S.C. 5712(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (11) by striking ``and'' at the end,
(2) in paragraph (12) by striking the period and inserting
``; and'', and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(13) shall develop an adequate emergency preparedness and
management plan.''.
(c) Definition.--Section 387(3)(A) of the Runaway and Homeless
Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5732a(3)(A)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i)--
(A) by striking ``not more than 21'' and inserting
``less than 22'';
(B) by striking ``not more than 18'' and inserting
``less than 18''; and
(C) by inserting ``unless the center is located in
a State or locality with a child- or youth-serving
facility licensure law or regulation that permits a
higher age'' before the semicolon; and
(2) in clause (ii) by inserting ``less than 22 years of age
and'' after ``part B,''.
SEC. 4. TRANSITIONAL LIVING GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Eligibility.--Section 322(a) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth
Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-2(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``, except'' and inserting
``(except'', and
(B) by striking ``period;'' and inserting the
following:
``period) or, if the program is located in a State or locality
with a child- or youth-serving facility licensure law or
regulation that permits a length of stay in excess of such 540-
day period, a continuous period not to exceed 635 days;'',
(2) in paragraph (14) by striking ``and'' at the end,
(3) in paragraph (15) by striking the period and inserting
``; and'', and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(16) to develop an adequate emergency preparedness and
management plan.''.
SEC. 5. COORDINATING, TRAINING, RESEARCH, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.
Part D of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-21 et
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 345. PERIODIC ESTIMATE OF INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE OF YOUTH
HOMELESSNESS.
``(a) Periodic Estimate.--Not later than 2 years after the
effective date of this section and at 5-year intervals thereafter, the
Secretary shall prepare, and submit to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate, a written
report--
``(1) by using the best quantitative and qualitative social
science research method available, containing an estimate of
the incidence and prevalence of runaway and homeless
individuals who are less than 26 years of age and not less than
13 years of age; and
``(2) that includes with such estimate an assessment of the
characteristics of such individuals.
``(b) Content.--Each assessment required by subsection (a) shall
include--
``(1) the results of conducting a survey of, and direct
interviews with, a representative sample of runaway and
homeless individuals who are less than 26 years of age and not
less than 13 years of age to determine past and current--
``(A) socioeconomic characteristics of such
individuals;
``(B) barriers to such individuals obtaining--
``(i) safe, quality, and affordable
housing;
``(ii) comprehensive and affordable health
insurance and health services; and
``(iii) incomes, public benefits,
supportive services, and connections to caring
adults; and
``(C) such other information that the Secretary
determines, in consultation with States, units of local
government, and national nongovernmental organizations
concerned with homelessness, may be useful.
``(c) Implementation.--If the Secretary enters into any contract
with a non-Federal entity for purposes of carrying out subsection (a),
such entity shall be a nongovernmental organization, or an individual,
determined by the Secretary to have appropriate expertise in
quantitative and qualitative social science research.''.
SEC. 6. REPORT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall
submit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President
pro tempore of the Senate, a report based on the best quantitative
research method available and containing an estimate of--
(1) the public service costs, including law enforcement,
emergent and urgent health services (including crisis mental
health and substance abuse services), child welfare services,
juvenile and criminal justice services, and public income
benefits costs, attributable to such services being provided to
runaway and homeless individuals who are less than 26 years of
age and not less than 13 years of age, and
(2) the extent to which the public service cost reductions
offset the costs of providing family reunification, emergency
shelter, transitional housing, permanent housing, and
supportive services to such individuals.
(b) Implementation.--If the Secretary carries out subsection (a) by
contract with an non-Federal entity, such entity shall be a
nongovernmental organization or an individual determined by the
Secretary to have appropriate expertise in quantitative and qualitative
social science research.
SEC. 7. NATIONAL HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5601 et seq.) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating part F as part G,
(2) by inserting after part E the following:
``PART F--NATIONAL HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
``SEC. 361. NATIONAL HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall, directly or via contract,
conduct a national homeless youth awareness campaign (referred to in
this section as the `national awareness campaign') in accordance with
this section for purposes of--
``(1) preventing runaway and homeless situations among
youth in the United States;
``(2) increasing awareness of individuals of all ages of
the issues facing youth in runaway and homeless situations;
``(3) assisting youth in crisis situations learn about
resources and services available in their communities to
intervene in or resolve the crisis; and
``(4) encouraging parents and guardians, educators, health
care professionals, social service professionals, law
enforcement officials, and other interested adults to assist
youth in averting or resolving runaway and homeless situations.
``(b) Use of Funds.--
``(1) In general.--Amounts made available to carry out this
section for the national awareness campaign may only be used
for the following:
``(A) The purchase of media time and space,
including the strategic planning for, and accounting
of, such purchases.
``(B) Creative and talent costs.
``(C) Advertising production costs.
``(D) Testing and evaluation of advertising.
``(E) Evaluation of the effectiveness of the
national media campaign.
``(F) The negotiated fees for the winning bidder on
requests for proposals issued by the Secretary to enter
into contracts to carry out activities authorized by
this section.
``(G) Partnerships with national organizations
concerned with youth homelessness, community-based
youth service organizations, including faith-based
organizations, and government organizations related to
the national awareness campaign.
``(H) Outreach activities to stakeholders and
potential stakeholders in the national awareness
campaign.
``(I) Operational and management expenses.
``(2) Specific requirements.--
``(A) Testing and evaluation of advertising.--In
using amounts for testing and evaluation of advertising
under paragraph (1)(D), the Secretary shall test all
advertisements prior to use in the national awareness
campaign to ensure that the advertisements are
effective and meet industry-accepted standards.
``(B) Evaluation of effectiveness of awareness
campaign.--In using amounts for the evaluation of the
effectiveness of the national awareness campaign under
paragraph (1)(E), the Secretary shall--
``(i) designate an independent entity to
evaluate the effectiveness of the national
awareness campaign; and
``(ii) ensure that the effectiveness of the
national awareness campaign is evaluated in a
manner that enables consideration of whether
the national awareness has contributed to
reducing runaway and homeless situations among
youth, linking runaway and homeless youth to
resources and services available in their
communities, and such other measures of
evaluation as the Secretary determinates are
appropriate.
``(c) Prohibitions.--None of the amounts made available under
subsection (b) may be obligated or expended for any of the following:
``(1) To supplant pro bono public service time donated by
national and local broadcasting networks for the national
awareness campaign.
``(2) For partisan political purposes, or express advocacy
in support of or to defeat any clearly identified candidate,
clearly identified ballot initiative, or clearly identified
legislative or regulatory proposal.
``(3) To fund advertising that features any elected
officials, persons seeking elected office, cabinet level
officials, or other Federal employees employed pursuant to
section 213 of Schedule C of title 5, Code of Federal
Regulations.
``(4) To fund advertising that does not contain a primary
message intended to reduce or prevent runaway and homeless
situations among youth.
``(5) To fund advertising that solicits contributions from
both public and private sources to support the national
awareness campaign.
``(d) Financial and Performance Accountability.--The Secretary
shall cause to be performed--
``(1) audits and reviews of costs of the national awareness
campaign pursuant to section 304C of the Federal Property and
Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 254d); and
``(2) an audit to determine whether the costs of the
national awareness campaign are allowable under section 306 of
such Act (41 U.S.C. 256).
``(e) Report.--The Secretary shall include in each report submitted
under section 381(a) a summary of the national awareness campaign that
describes--
``(1) the strategy of the national awareness campaign and
whether specific objectives of the media campaign were
accomplished;
``(2) steps taken to ensure that the national awareness
campaign operates in an effective and efficient manner
consistent with the overall strategy and focus of the national
awareness campaign;
``(3) plans to purchase advertising time and space;
``(4) policies and practices implemented to ensure that
Federal funds are used responsibly to purchase advertising time
and space and eliminate the potential for waste, fraud, and
abuse; and
``(5) all contracts entered into with a corporation,
partnership, or individual working on behalf of the national
awareness campaign.'', and
(3) in section 388(a)--
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``part E'' and
inserting ``parts E and F'', and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Part f.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out part F $3,000,000 for fiscal years 2009, 2010, 2011,
2012, and 2013.''.
SEC. 8. GRANTS FOR RESEARCH EVALUATION, DEMONSTRATION, AND SERVICE
PROJECTS.
Section 343(b) Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-
23(b)) is amended to read as follows:
``(b) Priorities.--The Secretary--
``(1) shall establish priorities for making grants for
purposes of carrying out projects under subsection (a); and
``(2) not later than 1 year after the effective date of
this subsection and at 2-year intervals thereafter, shall
provide an opportunity for public comment concerning the
priorities proposed under paragraph (1) and maintain an
official record of such public comment.''.
SEC. 9. SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM.
Section 351(b) Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-
41(b)) is amended by inserting ``public and'' after ``priority to''.
SEC. 10. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
Part G, as so redesignated, of Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42
U.S.C. 5714a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 390. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
``(a) Establishment of Performance Standards.--Not later than 2
years after the effective date of this section, the Secretary shall
issue rules that specify standards of performance for public and
nonprofit private entities that receive grants under sections 311, 321
and 351.
``(b) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with
representatives of public and nonprofit entities that receive grants
under this title, statewide and regional nonprofit organizations (and
combinations of such organizations) that receive grants under this
title, and national nonprofit organizations concerned with youth
homelessness in developing the performance standards required by
subsection (a).
``(c) Public Comment.--The Secretary shall provide an opportunity
for public comment concerning the establishment of the performance
standards required by subsection (a) before issuing rules to establish
such standards and shall maintain an official record of such public
comment.''.
SEC. 11. APPEALS.
Part G, as so redesignated and as amended by section 10, of Runaway
and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714a et seq.) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``SEC. 391. APPEALS.
``(a) Establishment of Appeal Procedure.--Not later than 2 years
after the effective date of this section, the Secretary shall establish
by rule a timely appeal procedure applicable to review the amounts of
grants made, and the denial of grants requested, under this title.
``(b) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with
representatives of public and nonprofit private entities that receive
grants under this title, statewide and regional nonprofit organizations
(and combinations of such organizations) that receive grants under this
title, and national nonprofit organizations concerned with youth
homelessness in establishing the appeal procedure required by
subsection (a).
``(c) Public Comment.--The Secretary shall provide an opportunity
for public comment concerning the establishment of the appeal procedure
required by subsection (a) before issuing rules to establish such
procedure and shall maintain an official record of such public
comment.''.
SEC. 12. DEFINITION.
Section 387 Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5732a) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7) as
paragraphs (5), (6), (7), and (8), respectively, and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) Runaway youth.--The term `runaway youth' means an
individual who is less than 18 years of age and who absents
himself or herself from home or place of legal residence
without the permission of parents or legal guardians.''.
SEC. 13. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 388(a) Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5751(a))
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``$105,000,000 for fiscal year
2004'' and inserting ``$150,000,000 for fiscal year
2009'', and
(B) by striking ``2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008'' and
inserting ``2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013'' , and
(2) in paragraph (4) by striking ``such sums as may be
necessary for fiscal years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008''
and inserting ``$30,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such sums
as may be necessary for fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012, and
2013''.
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