[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[H.R. 5524 Placed on Calendar Senate (PCS)]
Calendar No. 773
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5524
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 10, 2008
Received; read twice and placed on the calendar
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
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) 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. GRANTS FOR CENTERS AND SERVICES.
Section 311 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5711)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)(B)(i) by inserting before the
semicolon the following:
``provided for a continuous period not to
exceed 15 days, except that such shelter may be
provided for a continuous period not to exceed
21 days if the State where the center is
located has an applicable State or local law or
regulation that permits a length of stay in
excess of such 15 days in compliance with
licensure requirements for child and youth
serving facilities'',
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking ``The'' and inserting ``(A)
Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and to
the extent that sufficient funds are available,
the'',
(ii) by striking ``$100,000'' and inserting
``$150,000'',
(iii) by striking ``$45,000'' and inserting
``$70,000'', and
(iv) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) For fiscal years 2009 and 2010, the amount allotted
under paragraph (1) with respect to a State for a fiscal year
shall be not less than the amount alotted with respect to such
State for fiscal year 2008.'',
(B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph
(4), and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Whenever the Secretary determines that 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 under paragraph (1) with
respect to the remaining States for obligation for such fiscal
year.''.
SEC. 4. BASIC CENTER GRANT PROGRAM 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 at the end and
inserting ``; and'', and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(13) shall develop an adequate emergency preparedness and
management plan.''.
SEC. 5. TRANSITIONAL LIVING GRANT PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY.
Section 322(a) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C.
2714-2(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``indirectly'' the 1st place it
appears and inserting ``by contract'', and
(B) by striking ``and services'' and inserting ``,
and to provide, directly or indirectly, services'',
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``except that a youth'' and
inserting the following:
``except that in the case of--
``(i) a youth'',
(B) by inserting ``such youth may'' after
``program,'', and
(C) by striking ``period;'' and inserting the
following:
``period; and
``(ii) a program that is located in a State
that has an applicable State or local law or
regulation that permits a length of stay in
excess of such 540-day period in compliance
with licensure requirements for child and youth
serving facilities, a youth may remain in such
program throughout a continuous period not to
exceed 635 days;'',
(3) in paragraph (14) by striking ``and'' at the end,
(4) in paragraph (15) by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and'', and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(16) to develop an adequate emergency preparedness and
management plan.''.
SEC. 6. RESEARCH, EVALUATION, DEMONSTRATION, AND SERVICE PROJECTS.
Section 343 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-
23)) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``special consideration''
and inserting ``priority'', and
(ii) by striking ``relating to'' and
inserting ``focused on'',
(B) in paragraph (8)--
(i) by inserting ``quality'' after ``access
to'',
(ii) by striking ``mental'' and inserting
``behavioral'', and
(iii) by striking ``and'' at the end,
(C) in paragraph (9) by striking the period at the
end and inserting the following:
``, including educational and workforce programs with outcomes
such as decreasing the secondary school drop-out rate,
increasing diploma or equivalent attainment rates, or
increasing placement and retention in postsecondary education
or advanced workforce training; or'', and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(10) programs, including innovative programs, that assist
youth in obtaining and maintaining safe and stable housing, and
may include programs with supportive services that continue
after program completion.'', and
(2) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
``(c) In selecting among applicants for grants under subsection
(a), the Secretary shall--
``(1) give priority to applicants who have experience
working with runaway youth or homeless youth; and
``(2) ensure that the applicants selected--
``(A) are geographically representative of
different regions of the United States; and
``(B) carry out projects that serve diverse
populations of runaway or homeless youth.''.
SEC. 7. ESTIMATE OF INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE OF YOUTH HOMELESSNESS.
Part D of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-21-
5714-24) 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, in coordination with the United States Interagency Council
on Homelessness, shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Education
and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Judiciary of the Senate, and make public, a 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.--The report 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. 8. SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM.
Section 351(b) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C.
5714-41(b)) is amended by inserting ``public and'' after ``priority
to''.
SEC. 9. NATIONAL HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating part F as part G, and
(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 through grants
or contracts, 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) increasing awareness of individuals of all ages,
socioeconomic backgrounds, and geographic locations, of the
issues facing runway and homeless youth, the resources
available for these youth, and the tools available for the
prevention of youth runaway and homeless situations; and
``(2) encouraging parents, guardians, educators, health
care professionals, social service professionals, law
enforcement officials, and other community members to seek to
prevent runaway youth and youth homelessness by assisting youth
in averting or resolving runaway and homeless situations.
``(b) Use of Funds.--Funds made available to carry out this section
for the national awareness campaign may be used only for the following:
``(1) The dissemination of educational information and
materials through various media, including television, radio,
the Internet and related technologies, and emerging
technologies.
``(2) Partnerships, including outreach activities, 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.
``(3) In accordance with applicable laws and regulations,
the development and placement of public service announcements
in telecommunications media, including the Internet and related
technologies and emerging technologies, that educate the public
on the issues facing runaway and homeless youth (or youth
considering running away) and on the opportunities that adults
have to assist such youth.
``(4) Evaluation of the effectiveness of the national
awareness campaign.
``(c) Prohibitions.--None of the funds 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 or local broadcasting networks, advertising agencies,
production companies, or other pro bono work 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 in positions in
schedule C of part 213 of title 5 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (January 1, 2008), as amended from time to time.
``(4) To fund advertising that does not contain a primary
message intended to educate the public on the issues facing
runaway and homeless youth (or youth considering running away)
or on the opportunities for adults to help such youth.
``(5) To fund advertising that solicits contributions to
support the national awareness campaign.
``(d) Financial and Performance Accountability.--The Secretary
shall perform--
``(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 382 a summary of the national awareness campaign that
describes--
``(1) the activities undertaken by the national awareness
campaign;
``(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; and
``(3) each grant made to, or contract entered into with, a
particular corporation, partnership, or individual working on
the national awareness campaign.''.
SEC. 10. DEFINITIONS.
Section 387 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5732a)
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)(A)--
(A) in clause (i)--
(i) by striking ``not more than'' each
place it appears and inserting ``less than'',
and
(ii) by inserting after ``age'' the last
place it appears the following:
``, or until attaining a higher maximum age if
the State where the center is located has an
applicable State or local law or regulation
that permits such higher maximum age in
compliance with licensure requirements for
child and youth serving facilities'', and
(B) in clause (ii) by striking ``age;'' and
inserting the following:
``age and either--
``(I) less than 22 years of age; or
``(II) an age exceeding 22 years of
age as of the expiration of the maximum
period of stay permitted under section
322(a)(2)(ii) if such individual
commences such stay before attaining 22
years of age;'', and
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (7) as
paragraphs (5) through (8), respectively.
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 388(a) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C.
5751(a)) is amended--
(1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) Authorization.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this title (other than parts E and F,
and section 345) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such
sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012, and
2013.'',
(2) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:
``(4) Part e.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out part E $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such sums
as may be necessary for fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012, and
2013.'', and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Part f.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
carry out part F $3,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2009,
2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.
``(6) Section 345.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to carry out section 345 such sums as may be necessary for
fiscal years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.''.
SEC. 12. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 390. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
``(a) Establishment of Performance Standards.--Not later than 1
year after the effective date of this section, the Secretary shall
establish by rule performance standards applicable to public and
nonprofit private entities and agencies that receive grants under
sections 311, 321, and 351.
``(b) Implementation of Performance Standards.--The Secretary shall
integrate performance standards established under subsection (a) into
the Secretary's processes for grant-making, monitoring, and evaluation
for programs under sections 311, 321, and 351.
``(c) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with
representatives of public and private entities and agencies 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).
``(d) 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. 13. GAO STUDY AND REPORT.
(a) Study.--The Comptroller General shall conduct a study of, and
make findings and recommendations relating to, the process for making
grants under parts A, B, and E of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act,
with respect to--
(1) the written responses made by the Secretary of Health
and Human Services to (and any other methods for communicating
with) grant applicants who are do not receive a grant under
part A, B, or E of such Act, to determine if the information
provided in such responses to such applicants is conveyed
clearly,
(2) the structure of the grant application and associated
documents (including announcements that grants are available
under such parts), to determine if such application is
structured so that the applicant has a clear understanding of
what is required in each provision to successfully complete the
application, including a clear explanation of terminology
required to be used by the applicant throughout the document,
(3) the peer review process (if any) used to review grant
applications (including the selection of peer reviewers) and
the oversight of the peer review process by employees of the
Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the extent
to which such employees make funding determinations based on
the comments and scores of the individuals who perform peer
reviews,
(4) the typical time frame and the process used by such
employees, including employee responsibilities, for responding
to applicants and the efforts taken to communicate with
applicants when there is a delay of decisions on applications
or when funds to carry out this title are not appropriated
before the beginning of the then current fiscal year, and
(5) the plans for and implementation of, where practicable,
the new training and technical assistance programs and their
effect on the grant application process.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to the
Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Judiciary of the Senate, containing a summary of the
results of the study conducted under subsection (a), together with the
findings and recommendations made by the Comptroller General based on
such results.
Passed the House of Representatives June 9, 2008.
Attest:
LORRAINE C. MILLER,
Clerk.
Calendar No. 773
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5524
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize
appropriations, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
June 10, 2008
Read twice and placed on the calendar