[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2982 Reported in Senate (RS)]






                                                       Calendar No. 751
110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2982

       To amend the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize 
                appropriations, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 6, 2008

Mr. Leahy (for himself and Mr. Specter) introduced the following bill; 
  which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

                              May 22, 2008

                Reported by Mr. Leahy, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
       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,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This Act may be cited as the ``Runaway and Homeless Youth 
Protection Act''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. FINDINGS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 302 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 
U.S.C. 5701) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) 
        as paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the 
        following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) services to such young people should be 
        developed and provided using a positive youth development 
        approach that ensures a young person a sense of--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) safety and structure;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) belonging and membership;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) self-worth and social 
                contribution;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) independence and control over one's 
                life; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) closeness in interpersonal 
                relationships.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. BASIC CENTER PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Services Provided.--Section 311 of the Runaway and 
Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5711) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a)(2)(B), by striking clause 
        (i) and inserting the following:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) safe and appropriate shelter 
                        provided for not to exceed 21 days; and''; 
                        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (b)(2)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``$100,000'' and inserting 
                ``$200,000'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking ``$45,000'' and inserting 
                ``$70,000''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by adding at the end the following: 
                ``Whenever the Secretary determines that any part of 
                the amount allotted under paragraph (1) to a State for 
                a fiscal year will not be obligated before the end of 
                the fiscal year, the Secretary shall reallot such part 
                to the remaining States for obligation for the fiscal 
                year.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Eligibility.--Section 312(b) of the Runaway and 
Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5712(b)) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (11) by striking ``and'' at the 
        end;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in paragraph (12) by striking the period and 
        inserting ``; and''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(13) shall develop an adequate emergency 
        preparedness and management plan.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. TRANSITIONAL LIVING GRANT PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Eligibility.--Section 322(a) of the Runaway and 
Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-2(a)) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``indirectly'' and 
                inserting ``by contract''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking ``services'' the first 
                place it appears and inserting ``provide, directly or 
                indirectly, services,'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``a continuous 
        period not to exceed 540 days, except that'' and all that 
        follows and inserting the following: ``a continuous period not 
        to exceed 635 days, except that a youth in a program under this 
        part who has not reached 18 years of age on the last day of the 
        635-day period may, if otherwise qualified for the program, 
        remain in the program until the earlier of the youth's 18th 
        birthday or the 180th day after the end of the 635-day 
        period;'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in paragraph (14), by striking ``and'' at the 
        end;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) in paragraph (15), by striking the period and 
        inserting ``; and''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(16) to develop an adequate emergency 
        preparedness and management plan.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5. GRANTS FOR RESEARCH EVALUATION, DEMONSTRATION, AND 
              SERVICE PROJECTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 343 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 
U.S.C. 5714-23) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
                by striking ``give special consideration to'' and 
                inserting ``prioritize'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) 
                through (9) as paragraphs (3) through (10), 
                respectively; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the 
                following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) positive youth development service delivery 
        methods, providing links to community services, promoting 
        mental and physical health development, enabling youth to 
        obtain and maintain housing after program completion, and 
        developing self-sufficiency competencies;''</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (c)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by inserting ``for eligibility and 
                selection'' after ``priority'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking ``shall give'' and 
                inserting the following: ``shall--''</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(A) give'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by striking the period and inserting 
                ``; and''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) by adding at the end the 
                following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(B) ensure that the applicants selected--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(i) are geographically representative of 
                regions of the United States; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(ii) carry out projects that serve 
                diverse populations of homeless youth.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 6. COORDINATING, TRAINING, RESEARCH, AND OTHER 
              ACTIVITIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Part D of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 
5714-21 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 345. PERIODIC ESTIMATE OF INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE OF 
              YOUTH HOMELESSNESS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) Periodic Estimate.--Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act, and 
at 5-year intervals thereafter, the Secretary shall prepare, and submit 
to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro 
tempore of the Senate, a written report that--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) contains an estimate, obtained by using the 
        best quantitative and qualitative social science research 
        methods available, of the incidence and prevalence of runaway 
        and homeless individuals who are not less than 13 years of age 
        but less than 26 years of age; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) includes with such estimate an assessment of 
        the characteristics of such individuals.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Content.--Each assessment required by subsection (a) 
shall include--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) the results of conducting a survey of, and 
        direct interviews with, a representative sample of runaway and 
        homeless individuals who are not less than 13 years of age but 
        less than 26 years of age to determine past and current--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) socioeconomic characteristics of 
                such individuals; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) barriers to such individuals 
                obtaining--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) safe, quality, and 
                        affordable housing;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) comprehensive and 
                        affordable health insurance and health 
                        services; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) incomes, public benefits, 
                        supportive services, and connections to caring 
                        adults; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) such other information as the Secretary 
        determines, in consultation with States, units of local 
        government, and national nongovernmental organizations 
        concerned with homelessness, may be useful.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Implementation.--If the Secretary enters into any 
agreement 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.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 7. SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 8. NATIONAL HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5701 et 
seq.) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating part F as part G; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting after part E the 
        following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``PART F--NATIONAL HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS CAMPAIGN</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 361. NATIONAL HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS 
              CAMPAIGN.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(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--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) increasing awareness of individuals of all 
        ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and geographic locations, of 
        the issues facing runaway and homeless youth (including youth 
        considering running away); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) encouraging parents and guardians, 
        educators, health care professionals, social service 
        professionals, law enforcement officials, stakeholders, and 
        other community members to assist youth described in paragraph 
        (1) in averting or resolving runaway and homeless 
        situations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Use of Funds.--Amounts made available to carry out 
this section for the national awareness campaign may only be used for 
the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Dissemination of educational information and 
        materials through various media, including television, radio, 
        the Internet and related technologies, and emerging 
        technologies.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
        activities described in paragraphs (1) and (5).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Development of partnerships with national 
        organizations concerned with youth homelessness, community-
        based youth service organizations, including faith-based 
        organizations, and Government organizations to carry out the 
        national awareness campaign.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Conducting outreach activities to 
        stakeholders and potential stakeholders in the national 
        awareness campaign.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) In accordance with applicable laws 
        (including regulations), development and placement in 
        telecommunications media (including the Internet and related 
        technologies, and emerging technologies) of public service 
        announcements that educate the public on--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the issues facing runaway and 
                homeless youth (including youth considering running 
                away); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the opportunities that adults have 
                to assist youth described in subparagraph 
                (A).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Prohibitions.--None of the amounts made available to 
carry out this section may be obligated or expended for any of the 
following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) To fund public service time that supplants 
        pro bono public service time donated by national or local 
        broadcasting networks, advertising agencies, or production 
        companies for the national awareness campaign, or to fund 
        activities that supplant pro bono work for the national 
        awareness campaign.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) To carry out partisan political purposes, or 
        express advocacy in support of or opposition to any clearly 
        identified candidate, clearly identified ballot initiative, or 
        clearly identified legislative or regulatory 
        proposal.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) To fund advertising that features any 
        elected official, person seeking elected office, cabinet level 
        official, or other Federal employee employed pursuant to 
        section 213.3301 or 213.3302 of title 5, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (or any corresponding similar regulation or 
        ruling).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) To fund advertising that does not contain a 
        primary message intended to educate the public on the issues 
        and opportunities described in subsection (b)(5).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) To fund advertising that solicits 
        contributions from both public and private sources to support 
        the national awareness campaign.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Financial and Performance Accountability.--The 
Secretary shall cause to be performed--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) audits and examinations of records, relating 
        to the 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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) audits to determine whether the costs of the 
        national awareness campaign are allowable under section 306 of 
        such Act (41 U.S.C. 256).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Report.--The Secretary shall include in each report 
submitted under section 382(a) a summary of information about the 
national awareness campaign that describes--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) the strategy of the national awareness 
        campaign and whether specific objectives of the campaign were 
        accomplished;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) steps taken to ensure that the national 
        awareness campaign operated in an effective and efficient 
        manner consistent with the overall strategy and focus of the 
        national awareness campaign; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) all grants or contracts entered into with a 
        corporation, partnership, or individual working on the national 
        awareness campaign.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 9. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Reports.--Section 382(a) of the Runaway and Homeless 
Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5715(a)) is amended by striking ``, and E'' and 
inserting ``, E, and F''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Consolidated Review.--Section 385 of the Runaway and 
Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5731a) is amended by striking ``, and E'' 
and inserting ``, E, and F''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Evaluation and Information.--Section 386(a) of the 
Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5732(a)) is amended by 
striking ``, or E'' and inserting ``, E, or F''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 10. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Part G of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 
5714a et seq.), as redesignated by section 8, is amended by inserting 
after section 386 the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 386A. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) Establishment of Performance Standards.--Not later 
than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Runaway and Homeless 
Youth Protection Act, the Secretary shall issue rules that specify 
performance standards for public and nonprofit private entities that 
receive grants under sections 311, 321, and 351.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with 
representatives of public and nonprofit private entities that receive 
grants under this title, including statewide and regional nonprofit 
organizations (including 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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Implementation of Performance Standards.--The 
Secretary shall integrate the performance standards into the processes 
of the Department of Health and Human Services for grantmaking, 
monitoring, and evaluation for programs under parts A, B, and 
E.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 11. APPEALS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Part G of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 
5714a et seq.) as amended by section 10, is further amended by 
inserting after section 386A the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 386B. APPEALS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) Establishment of Appeal Procedure.--Not later than 6 
months after the date of enactment of the Runaway and Homeless Youth 
Protection Act, the Secretary shall establish by rule an appeal 
procedure to enable applicants to obtain timely reviews of the amounts 
of grants made, and the denials of grants requested, under this 
title.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with 
representatives of public and nonprofit private entities that receive 
grants under this title, including statewide and regional nonprofit 
organizations (including combinations of such organizations) that 
receive grants under this title, and national nonprofit organizations 
concerned with youth homelessness, in developing the appeal procedure 
required by subsection (a).''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 12. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Homeless Youth.--Section 387(3) of the Runaway and 
Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5732a(3)) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
        striking ``The'' and all that follows through ``means'' and 
        inserting ``The term `homeless', used with respect to a youth, 
        means''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking ``not 
        less than 16 years of age'' and inserting ``not less than 16 
        years of age and not more than 21 years of age, except that 
        nothing in this clause shall prevent a participant who enters 
        the program carried out under part B prior to reaching 22 years 
        of age from being eligible for the 635-day length of stay 
        authorized by section 322(a)(2); and''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Runaway Youth.--Section 387 of the Runaway and 
Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5732a) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and 
        (7) as paragraphs (5), (6), (7), and (8), respectively; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the 
        following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Runaway youth.--The term `runaway', used 
        with respect to a youth, means an individual who is less than 
        18 years of age and who absents himself or herself from home or 
        a place of legal residence without the permission of a parent 
        or legal guardian.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 13. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 388(a) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 
U.S.C. 5751(a)) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``is authorized'' and 
                inserting ``are authorized'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking ``part E) $105,000,000 for 
                fiscal year 2004'' and inserting ``parts E and F) 
                $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2009''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by striking ``2005, 2006, 2007, and 
                2008'' and inserting ``2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013''; 
                and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in paragraph (4)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``is authorized'' and 
                inserting ``are authorized''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking ``such sums as may be 
                necessary for fiscal years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 
                2008'' and inserting ``$30,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 
                and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 
                2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Part f.--There is authorized to be 
        appropriated to carry out part F $3,000,000 for fiscal year 
        2009 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2010, 
        2011, 2012, and 2013.''.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Runaway and Homeless Youth 
Protection Act''.

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) by 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 a 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. BASIC CENTER PROGRAM.

    (a) Services Provided.--Section 311 of the Runaway and Homeless 
Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5711) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2)(B), by striking clause (i) and 
        inserting the following:
                            ``(i) safe and appropriate shelter provided 
                        for not to exceed 21 days; and''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)(2)--
                    (A) by striking ``$100,000'' and inserting 
                ``$200,000'';
                    (B) by striking ``$45,000'' and inserting 
                ``$70,000''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following: ``Whenever 
                the Secretary determines that any part of the amount 
                allotted under paragraph (1) to a State for a fiscal 
                year will not be obligated before the end of the fiscal 
                year, the Secretary shall reallot such part to the 
                remaining States for obligation for the fiscal year.''.
    (b) 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 and inserting 
        ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(13) shall develop an adequate emergency preparedness and 
        management plan.''.

SEC. 4. TRANSITIONAL LIVING GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Eligibility.--Section 322(a) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth 
Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-2(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``indirectly'' and inserting ``by 
                contract''; and
                    (B) by striking ``services'' the first place it 
                appears and inserting ``provide, directly or 
                indirectly, services,'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``a continuous period not 
        to exceed 540 days, except that'' and all that follows and 
        inserting the following: ``a continuous period not to exceed 
        635 days, except that a youth in a program under this part who 
        has not reached 18 years of age on the last day of the 635-day 
        period may, if otherwise qualified for the program, remain in 
        the program until the earlier of the youth's 18th birthday or 
        the 180th day after the end of the 635-day period;'';
            (3) in paragraph (14), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (4) in paragraph (15), by striking the period and inserting 
        ``; and''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(16) to develop an adequate emergency preparedness and 
        management plan.''.

SEC. 5. GRANTS FOR 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), by 
                striking ``special consideration'' and inserting 
                ``priority'';
                    (B) in paragraph (8)--
                            (i) by striking ``to health'' and inserting 
                        ``to quality health'';
                            (ii) by striking ``mental health care'' and 
                        inserting ``behavioral health care''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
                    (C) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting ``, including access to educational 
                and workforce programs to achieve outcomes such as 
                decreasing high school dropout rates, increasing rates 
                of attaining a secondary school diploma or its 
                recognized equivalent, or increasing placement and 
                retention in postsecondary education or advanced 
                workforce training programs; and''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(10) providing programs, which shall include innovative 
        programs, that assist youth in obtaining and maintaining safe 
        and stable housing, and which may include programs with 
        supportive services that continue after the youth complete the 
        remainder of the programs.''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) In selecting among applicants for grants under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall--
            ``(1) give priority to applicants who have experience 
        working with runaway or homeless youth in high-quality 
        programs; and
            ``(2) ensure that the applicants selected--
                    ``(A) represent diverse geographic regions of the 
                United States; and
                    ``(B) carry out projects that serve diverse 
                populations of runaway or homeless youth.''.

SEC. 6. COORDINATING, TRAINING, RESEARCH, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.

    Part D of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-21 et 
seq.) 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 date of 
enactment of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act, and at 5-
year intervals thereafter, the Secretary shall prepare, and submit to 
the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro 
tempore of the Senate, a written report that--
            ``(1) contains an estimate, obtained by using the best 
        quantitative and qualitative social science research methods 
        available, of the incidence and prevalence of runaway and 
        homeless individuals who are not less than 13 years of age but 
        less than 26 years of age; and
            ``(2) includes with such estimate an assessment of the 
        characteristics of such individuals.
    ``(b) Content.--Each assessment 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 not less than 13 years of age but 
        less than 26 years of age to determine past and current--
                    ``(A) socioeconomic characteristics of such 
                individuals; and
                    ``(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
            ``(2) such other information as 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 agreement 
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. 7. 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. 8. 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) Awareness Campaign.--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 runaway and homeless youth (including youth 
        considering running away); and
            ``(2) encouraging parents and guardians, educators, health 
        care professionals, social service professionals, law 
        enforcement officials, stakeholders, and other community 
        members to assist youth described in paragraph (1) in averting 
        or resolving runaway and homeless situations.
    ``(b) Use of Funds.--Funds made available to carry out this part 
for the national awareness campaign may only be used for the following:
            ``(1) Dissemination of educational information and 
        materials through various media, including television, radio, 
        the Internet and related technologies, and emerging 
        technologies.
            ``(2) Evaluation of the effectiveness of the activities 
        described in paragraphs (1) and (5).
            ``(3) Development of partnerships with national 
        organizations concerned with youth homelessness, community-
        based youth service organizations, including faith-based 
        organizations, and government organizations to carry out the 
        national awareness campaign.
            ``(4) Conducting outreach activities to stakeholders and 
        potential stakeholders in the national awareness campaign.
            ``(5) In accordance with applicable laws (including 
        regulations), development and placement in telecommunications 
        media (including the Internet and related technologies, and 
        emerging technologies) of public service announcements that 
        educate the public on--
                    ``(A) the issues facing runaway and homeless youth 
                (including youth considering running away); and
                    ``(B) the opportunities that adults have to assist 
                youth described in subparagraph (A).
    ``(c) Prohibitions.--None of the funds made available to carry out 
this part may be obligated or expended for any of the following:
            ``(1) To fund public service time that supplants pro bono 
        public service time donated by national or local broadcasting 
        networks, advertising agencies, or production companies for the 
        national awareness campaign, or to fund activities that 
        supplant pro bono work for the national awareness campaign.
            ``(2) To carry out partisan political purposes, or express 
        advocacy in support of or opposition to any clearly identified 
        candidate, clearly identified ballot initiative, or clearly 
        identified legislative or regulatory proposal.
            ``(3) To fund advertising that features any elected 
        official, person seeking elected office, cabinet level 
        official, or other Federal employee employed pursuant to 
        section 213.3301 or 213.3302 of title 5, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (or any corresponding similar regulation or 
        ruling).
            ``(4) To fund advertising that does not contain a primary 
        message intended to educate the public on the issues and 
        opportunities described in subsection (b)(5).
            ``(5) To fund advertising that solicits contributions from 
        both public and private sources to support the national 
        awareness campaign.
    ``(d) Financial and Performance Accountability.--The Secretary 
shall cause to be performed--
            ``(1) audits and examinations of records, relating to the 
        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) audits 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) a summary of information about the national 
awareness campaign that describes--
            ``(1) the strategy of the national awareness campaign and 
        whether specific objectives of the campaign were accomplished;
            ``(2) steps taken to ensure that the national awareness 
        campaign operated in an effective and efficient manner 
        consistent with the overall strategy and focus of the national 
        awareness campaign; and
            ``(3) all grants or contracts entered into with a 
        corporation, partnership, or individual working on the national 
        awareness campaign.''.

SEC. 9. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Reports.--Section 382(a) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5715(a)) is amended by striking ``, and E'' and inserting 
``, E, and F''.
    (b) Consolidated Review.--Section 385 of the Runaway and Homeless 
Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5731a) is amended by striking ``, and E'' and 
inserting ``, E, and F''.
    (c) Evaluation and Information.--Section 386(a) of the Runaway and 
Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5732(a)) is amended by striking ``, or 
E'' and inserting ``, E, or F''.

SEC. 10. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

    Part G of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714a et 
seq.), as redesignated by section 8, is amended by inserting after 
section 386 the following:

``SEC. 386A. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

    ``(a) Establishment of Performance Standards.--Not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of the Runaway and Homeless Youth 
Protection Act, the Secretary shall issue rules that specify 
performance standards for public and nonprofit private entities that 
receive grants under sections 311, 321, and 351.
    ``(b) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with 
representatives of public and nonprofit private entities that receive 
grants under this title, including statewide and regional nonprofit 
organizations (including 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).
    ``(c) Implementation of Performance Standards.--The Secretary shall 
integrate the performance standards into the processes of the 
Department of Health and Human Services for grantmaking, monitoring, 
and evaluation for programs under parts A, B, and E.''.

SEC. 11. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE STUDY AND REPORT.

    (a) Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United 
        States shall conduct a study, including making findings and 
        recommendations, relating to the processes for making grants 
        under parts A, B, and E of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 5711 et seq., 5714-1 et seq., 5714-41).
            (2) Subjects.--In particular, the Comptroller General shall 
        study--
                    (A) the Secretary's written responses to and other 
                communications with applicants who do not receive 
                grants under part A, B, or E of such Act, to determine 
                if the information provided in the responses and 
                communications is conveyed clearly;
                    (B) the content of the grant applications for the 
                grants, and of other associated documents (including 
                grant announcements), to determine if the applications 
                and other associated documents are presented in a way 
                that gives an applicant a clear understanding of the 
                information that the applicant must provide in each 
                portion of an application to successfully complete it, 
                and a clear understanding of the terminology used 
                throughout the application and other associated 
                documents;
                    (C) the peer review process for applications for 
                the grants, including the selection of peer reviewers, 
                the oversight of the process by staff of the Department 
                of Health and Human Services, and the extent to which 
                such staff make funding determinations based on the 
                comments and scores of the peer reviewers;
                    (D) the typical timeframe, and the process and 
                responsibilities of such staff, for responding to 
                applicants for the grants, and the efforts made by such 
                staff to communicate with the applicants when funding 
                decisions or funding for the grants is delayed, such as 
                when funding is delayed due to funding of a program 
                through appropriations made under a continuing 
                resolution; and
                    (E) the plans for implementation of, and the 
                implementation of, where practicable, the technical 
                assistance and training programs carried out under 
                section 342 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 
                U.S.C. 5714-22), and the effect of such programs on the 
                application process for the grants.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General shall prepare and submit to the 
Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate a report containing the 
findings and recommendations resulting from the study.

SEC. 12. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Homeless Youth.--Section 387(3) of the Runaway and Homeless 
Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5732a(3)) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
        ``The'' and all that follows through ``means'' and inserting 
        ``The term `homeless', used with respect to a youth, means''; 
        and
            (2) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking ``not less than 16 
        years of age'' and inserting ``not less than 16 years of age 
        and not more than 21 years of age, except that nothing in this 
        clause shall prevent a participant who enters the program 
        carried out under part B prior to reaching 22 years of age from 
        being eligible for the 635-day length of stay authorized by 
        section 322(a)(2); and''.
    (b) Runaway Youth.--Section 387 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth 
Act (42 U.S.C. 5732a) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7) as 
        paragraphs (5), (6), (7), and (8), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
            ``(4) Runaway youth.--The term `runaway', used with respect 
        to a youth, means an individual who is less than 18 years of 
        age and who absents himself or herself from home or a place of 
        legal residence without the permission of a parent or legal 
        guardian.''.

SEC. 13. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 388(a) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 
5751(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``is authorized'' and inserting 
                ``are authorized'';
                    (B) by striking ``part E) $105,000,000 for fiscal 
                year 2004'' and inserting ``section 345 and parts E and 
                F) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2009''; and
                    (C) by striking ``2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008'' and 
                inserting ``2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) by striking ``In'' and inserting the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--In'';
                    (B) by inserting ``(other than section 345)'' 
                before the period; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) Periodic estimate.--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.'';
            (3) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) by striking ``is authorized'' and inserting 
                ``are authorized''; and
                    (B) by striking ``such sums as may be necessary for 
                fiscal years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008'' and 
                inserting ``$30,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such 
                sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2010, 2011, 
                2012, and 2013''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Part f.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
        carry out part F $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such sums 
        as may be necessary for fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 
        2013.''.
                                                       Calendar No. 751

110th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 2982

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

       To amend the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize 
                appropriations, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                              May 22, 2008

                       Reported with an amendment