[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E849-E850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE RUNAWAY, HOMELESS, AND MISSING CHILDREN PROTECTION 
                                  ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PHIL GINGREY

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2003

  Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker Today I introduce the Runaway, Homeless, and 
Missing Children Protection Act. This legislation contains the 
reauthorization of both the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act and the 
Missing Children's Assistance Act. This bill strengthens the programs 
and services authorized under these acts in order to better address the 
needs of the at-risk youth served.
  The changes that were made to the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act will 
allow for a larger percentage of the allocation to go toward 
Transitional Living Programs. This will help to meet the need that 
exists for these programs so older runaway and homeless youth can 
develop the skills and resources to promote their independence and 
prevent future dependency on social services. Additionally, youth who 
are participating in the Transitional Living Program who come to the 
end of their 18 month stay before they reach the age of 18 will now be 
able to receive an exception to stay in the Transitional Living Program 
until they are 18 years old. The bill clarifies that term ``group 
homes'' in the Transitional Living Program includes ``maternity group 
homes.'' These group homes operate currently and have been successful 
at providing child development, family budgeting, health and nutrition, 
and other skills to promote the parent's long-term economic 
independence in order to ensure the well-being of the child. The 
Runaway, Homeless, and Missing Children Protection

[[Page E850]]

Act authorizes parts A (Basic Centers Program), B (Transitional Living 
Program), C (National Communications System), and D (Coordination, 
Training, Research, and Other Activities) at $105 million for fiscal 
year 2004 and at such sums for fiscal years 2005 through 2008 and 
authorizes part E (Street Outreach Program) at such sums for fiscal 
years 2004 through 2008.
  Additionally, the bill addresses the needs of missing, abducted, and 
sexually exploited children by reauthorizing the Missing Children's 
Assistance Act. This legislation increases the authorization level of 
the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children from $10,000,000 
to $20,000,000 for fiscal years 2004 through 2008 to mirror the 
Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to End the Exploitation of Child 
Today Act of 2003 (PROTECT Act), and extends the authorization of the 
remaining activities under the Act through 2008. The Runaway, Homeless, 
and Missing Children Protection Act also allows the National Center for 
Missing and Exploited Children to coordinate the operation of a cyber 
tipline to provide online users an effective means of reporting 
Internet-related child sexual exploitation in the areas of distribution 
of child pornography, online enticement of children for sexual acts, 
and child prostitution.
  This piece of legislation has been worked out in a very bipartisan 
fashion and I am happy that we were able to come together to help 
address the needs of runaway, homeless, missing and exploited youth. 
These at-risk youth receive much needed services through these Acts and 
I urge my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation.

                          ____________________