83R8021 ADM-D
By: Turner of Harris, N. Gonzalez of El Paso H.B. No. 2240
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study on homeless youth.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 2306, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter OO to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER OO. HOMELESS YOUTH
Sec. 2306.1101. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "homeless
youth" means a person who is younger than 25 years of age who:
(1) lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime
residence, including a person who is:
(A) sharing the housing of another person due to
loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;
(B) living in a hotel, motel, trailer park, or
camping ground due to a lack of alternative adequate accommodation;
(C) living in an emergency or transitional
shelter;
(D) abandoned in a hospital; or
(E) awaiting foster care placement;
(2) has a primary nighttime residence that is a public
or private place not designed or ordinarily used as a regular
sleeping accommodation for humans;
(3) is living in a car, park, other public space,
abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or train station, or
similar setting; or
(4) is a migratory child, as defined by Section 1309,
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. Section
6399), who qualifies as homeless under Subdivision (1), (2), or
(3).
Sec. 2306.1102. STUDY ON HOMELESS YOUTH. (a) The
department, in conjunction with the Department of Family and
Protective Services, the Texas Education Agency, and the Texas
Homeless Education Office, shall conduct a study on homeless youth.
(b) In conducting the study, the department shall:
(1) collect data on the number of homeless youth in
this state;
(2) examine the needs of homeless youth and the degree
to which current programs are meeting those needs; and
(3) identify any sources of funding that might be
available to provide services to homeless youth.
(c) The department shall submit a report on the study to the
legislature not later than December 1, 2014. The report must
include a summary of the information resulting from the study and
recommendations for changes in law necessary to provide services to
or otherwise assist homeless youth.
(d) This section expires September 1, 2015.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.