HB 379 Summary

• Establishes the "Delaware Runaway and Homeless Youth Act" creating a comprehensive statewide program for runaway and homeless youth ages 21 and under through the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families.

• Requires contracted organizations to provide three core services: street outreach and drop-in centers; emergency shelter programs; and transitional living programs with supportive services including counseling, job training, and family reunification.

• Allows emergency shelters and service providers to serve runaway and homeless youth without parental notification, consent, or permission.

• Mandates annual reporting by February 1 beginning in 2013 on the number and demographics of served youth, length of homelessness, psychiatric placements, permanency plans, and service participation trends.

• Amends the Delaware Interagency Council on Homelessness to submit annual reports analyzing program effectiveness for homeless families and individuals, with specific focus on innovative policy recommendations for runaway and unaccompanied homeless youth.