MN HF697

Establishes a Homeless Youth Task Force within the Department of Human Services with commissioner-provided staffing to address youth homelessness in Minnesota.

Task Force shall study causes and effects of youth homelessness, interconnected issues including mental health, chemical dependency, sex trafficking, foster care exit, cognitive development, physical health, gangs, and parent training.

Task Force membership includes state agency representatives, court system, law enforcement, children in need of protection, private agency professionals in delinquency/housing/social work/education, higher education faculty, and county representatives.

Task Force must issue preliminary report by December 1, 2013 with legislative suggestions and final report by November 1, 2014.

Commissioners of education, health, housing finance, and human services must jointly prepare a statewide plan by September 1, 2014 to improve well-being of homeless and at-risk children using Minnesota Visible Child Work Group recommendations.