HB 613 Summary

• Establishes a permanent Safe Spaces for Youth Program within the Office of Youth Services to provide safe spaces in each county for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

• Requires the Office of Youth Services to collaborate with state and county departments including education, corrections, health, human services, law enforcement, and judiciary to coordinate identification and shelter placement for homeless youth and young adults.

• Authorizes the Office of Youth Services to contract with nonprofit organizations to operate shelters, with youth under 18 kept separate from young adults ages 18-24, and allows shelters to admit youth for up to 90 days without parental consent.

• Defines shelter services to include overnight lodging with supervision, hot meals and showers, access to medical and behavioral health services, and education and employment support.

• Appropriates $871,016 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $1,841,016 for fiscal year 2026-2027 to fund the permanent program, effective July 1, 2025.