H.B. No. 679
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 19 years of age, including
a migratory child, as defined by Section 1309, Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. Section 6399), who:
(1) lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime
residence, including a person who is:
(A) living in an emergency shelter;
(B) abandoned in a hospital; or
(C
) 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; or
(3) is living in a car, park, other public space,
abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or train station, or
similar setting.
Sec. 2306.1102. STUDY ON HOMELESS YOUTH. (a) The
department, in conjunction with other members of the Texas
Interagency Council for the Homeless established under Subchapter
KK, 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;
(3) identify any sources of funding that might be
available to provide services to homeless youth; and
(4) develop a strategic plan establishing steps to be
taken and timelines for reducing youth homelessness in this state.
(c) The department shall submit a report on the study to the
legislature not later than December 1, 2016. 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, 2017.
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, 2015.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 679 was passed by the House on April
16, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 92, Nays 50, 3 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 679 on May 27, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 110, Nays 33,
2 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 679 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 24, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays
10.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor