DE HB296

Establishes the Delaware Runaway and Homeless Youth Act as a new subchapter in Title 16 of Delaware Code to create a comprehensive statewide system for serving runaway and homeless youth.

Defines "homeless youth" as persons 21 years or younger who are unaccompanied by a parent or guardian and lack adequate shelter, and "runaway" as unmarried children ages 12-17 absent from home without parental consent.

Requires the Department of Health and Social Services to contract with licensed organizations to provide street outreach, emergency shelter, youth drop-in centers, and transitional living programs with services including case management, family reunification, counseling, and independent living skills training.

Permits emergency shelters and service providers to offer assistance to runaway and homeless youth without parental notification, consent, or permission.

Mandates annual reporting to the General Assembly beginning February 1, 2013, on data including number and age of youth served, length of stays in psychiatric facilities, runaway and homelessness trends, permanency plans, and service participation rates.