Runaway Youth Safety Act, HB 185, received a "do pass" recommendation to the full House Judiciary Committee on Thursday.  This bill will allow "registered providers" or licensed child welfare providers to shelter homeless and runaway youth for 72 hours while they provide services to them. 

This bill is important to eliminating many of the barriers that currently exist in providing services to this under-served group of children and youth.  Shelters currently fear breaking the law when that care for a homeless or runaway child for fear that they will commit the offence of "of interference with custody" or the offense of contributing to the delinquency of a minor by caring for an unaccompanied minor who has runaway or is homeless.

Runway youth will very often will not seek help for fear of being reported to their parents, police or other governmental agencies.  This bill allows for these services to be provided for up to 72 hours while the provider seeks to get information from the child to notify their parents or guardians to secure ongoing services. 

This bill will also expand the number of providers able to provide these services.  "Registration" will be with the Department of Human Services when they show proof that they are a 501(c)(3) organization and have "reasonable" policies and procedures and protections for youth in their care.  No licensing regulations are required for these new providers and the Department is not authorized to develop new regulations for "Registered" providers. 

Licensing is currently only required for organizations caring for six or more children and those who care for children in the custody of the State. 

Runaway Youth Safety Act, HB 185 is an important step in increasing the resources for these very vulnerable youth and protecting their safety and wellbeing.  This bill will allow the 300 currently licensed child welfare agencies to care for these youth without fear of breaking the law.

This bill now moves to the full House Judiciary Committee. 

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