[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 116 (Wednesday, July 23, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4764-S4767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LEAHY (for himself and Ms. Collins):
  S. 2646. A bill to reauthorize the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I come to the Senate floor today to 
introduce the Leahy-Collins Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking 
Prevention Act. The prevalence of homelessness among young people in 
America is deplorable. There are 1.6 million homeless teens in the 
United States. This problem is not limited to large cities. Its impact 
is felt strongly in smaller communities and rural areas, including in 
my home State of Vermont. It affects our young people directly and 
reverberates throughout our families and communities.
  The Runaway Youth Act, first signed into law in 1974, has proven 
essential to providing the services and resources that runaway and 
homeless youth need, and our continued support is vital. Thirty-nine 
percent of the homeless population is under the age of 18, and the 
average age at which a teen becomes homeless is 14.7 years old. These 
numbers are stark reminders of our duty as a nation to protect the most 
vulnerable among us.
  This bill reauthorizes funding for key elements of the Runaway and 
Homeless Youth Programs, including the Basic Center Program, which 
provides short-term emergency shelter and family reunification services 
to runaway and homeless youth. The Transitional Living Program provides 
longer term residential services, life skills, education, and 
employment support to older homeless youth. This bill reauthorizes the 
Street Outreach Program, which is staffed by workers who go out into 
the community to provide crisis intervention and services referrals to 
runaway and homeless youth on the street and at drop-in centers. It 
also supports funding for national support activities like the national 
runaway youth crisis line, and access to evaluation tools to help 
grantees track the success of their efforts and ensure that Federal 
funding is supporting only the most effective programs.
  This reauthorization includes new and important provisions to combat 
human trafficking. Victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking in 
persons and runaway and homeless youth--two of our most vulnerable 
populations--are intersecting populations. Runaway and homeless youth 
service providers are uniquely situated to identify victims of sexual 
exploitation and trafficking in persons. These youth have specific 
needs and this bill ensures that victims of trafficking will be 
identified as such, and receive the appropriate services.
  Another improvement made by this reauthorization is a provision to 
improve support for family reunification and intervention. Service 
providers will be able to use grant funds to encourage the resolution 
of family problems through counseling and other services. Family 
support is critical to providing stability for homeless youth, and this 
new provision will help boost positive outcomes.
  I am proud that this bill contains a new nondiscrimination clause to 
prohibit any grantee from discriminating against a child based on their 
sexual orientation or gender identity. It is estimated that 40 percent 
of the runaway and homeless youth population identifies as LGBT. It is 
clear that this community needs the services authorized under the 
Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. No young person should be turned away 
from these essential services.
  Supporting our youth when they are most in need and helping to get 
them back on their feet benefits us all. Homeless children are less 
likely to finish school, more likely to enter our juvenile justice 
system, and are ill-equipped to find a job. The services authorized by 
this bill are designed to intervene early and encourage the development 
of successful, productive young adults.
  I have heard from dozens of service providers urging swift passage of 
this legislation. These are the people who are there on the frontlines 
when youth have nowhere else to turn. Without the programs funded 
through the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, hundreds of thousands of 
children would be left on the street.
  I thank Senator Collins for working with me on this legislation and 
for joining me as an original cosponsor. I hope all Senators will join 
us in supporting the prompt passage of the Leahy-Collins Runaway and 
Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act on the Senate floor.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 2646

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

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

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Except as otherwise specifically provided, whenever in this 
     Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an 
     amendment to, or repeal of, a provision, the amendment or 
     repeal shall be considered to be made to a provision of the 
     Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.).

     SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

       Section 302 (42 U.S.C. 5701) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``age, gender, and 
     culturally and'' before ``linguistically appropriate'';
       (2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``outside the welfare 
     system and the law enforcement system'' and inserting ``, in 
     collaboration with public assistance systems, the law 
     enforcement system, and the child welfare system'';
       (3) in paragraph (5)--
       (A) by inserting ``a safe place to live and'' after ``youth 
     need''; and
       (B) by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (4) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and''; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) runaway and homeless youth are at a high risk of 
     becoming victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking in 
     persons.''.

     SEC. 4. BASIC CENTER GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) Grants for Centers and Services.--Section 311(a) (42 
     U.S.C. 5711(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``services'' and all that 
     follows through the period and inserting ``safe shelter and 
     services, including trauma-informed services, for runaway and 
     homeless youth and, if appropriate, services for the families 
     of such youth, including (if appropriate) individuals 
     identified by such youth as family.''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``mental health,'';
       (B) in subparagraph (B)--
       (i) in clause (i), by striking ``21 days; and'' and 
     inserting ``30 days;''; and
       (ii) in clause (ii)--

       (I) by inserting ``age, gender, and culturally and 
     linguistically appropriate'' before ``individual'';
       (II) by inserting ``, as appropriate,'' after ``group''; 
     and
       (III) by striking ``as appropriate'' and inserting 
     ``including (if appropriate) counseling for individuals 
     identified by such youth as family''; and

       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iii) suicide prevention services; and''; and
       (C) in subparagraph (C)--
       (i) in clause (ii), by inserting ``age, gender, and 
     culturally and linguistically appropriate'' before ``home-
     based services'';
       (ii) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (iii) in clause (iv), by striking ``diseases.'' and 
     inserting ``infections;''; and
       (iv) by adding at the end the following:

[[Page S4765]]

       ``(v) trauma-informed and gender-responsive services for 
     runaway or homeless youth, including such youth who are 
     victims of trafficking in persons or sexual exploitation; and
       ``(vi) an assessment of family engagement in support and 
     reunification (if reunification is appropriate), 
     interventions, and services for parents or legal guardians of 
     such youth, or (if appropriate) individuals identified by 
     such youth as family.''.
       (b) Eligibility; Plan Requirements.--Section 312 (42 U.S.C. 
     5712) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``, or (if appropriate) 
     individuals identified by such youth as family,'' after 
     ``parents or legal guardians'';
       (B) in paragraph (6), by striking ``cultural minority and 
     persons with limited ability to speak English'' and inserting 
     ``cultural minority, persons with limited ability to speak 
     English, and runaway or homeless youth who are victims of 
     trafficking in persons or sexual exploitation'';
       (C) by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the following:
       ``(7) shall keep adequate statistical records profiling the 
     youth and family members of such youth whom the applicant 
     serves, including demographic information on and the number 
     of--
       ``(A) such youth who are not referred to out-of-home 
     shelter services;
       ``(B) such youth who are members of vulnerable or 
     underserved populations;
       ``(C) such youth who are victims of trafficking in persons 
     or sexual exploitation, disaggregated by--
       ``(i) such youth who have been coerced or forced into a 
     commercial sex act, as defined in section 103 of the 
     Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102);
       ``(ii) such youth who have been coerced or forced into 
     other forms of labor; and
       ``(iii) such youth who have engaged in a commercial sex 
     act, as so defined, for any reason other than by coercion or 
     force;
       ``(D) such youth who are pregnant or parenting;
       ``(E) such youth who have been involved in the child 
     welfare system; and
       ``(F) such youth who have been involved in the juvenile 
     justice system;'';
       (D) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (13) as 
     paragraphs (9) through (14);
       (E) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
       ``(8) shall ensure that--
       ``(A) the records described in paragraph (7), on an 
     individual runaway or homeless youth, shall not be disclosed 
     without the consent of the individual youth and parent or 
     legal guardian of such youth, or (if appropriate) an 
     individual identified by such youth as family, to anyone 
     other than another agency compiling statistical records or a 
     government agency involved in the disposition of criminal 
     charges against an individual runaway or homeless youth; and
       ``(B) reports or other documents based on the statistics 
     described in paragraph (7) shall not disclose the identity of 
     any individual runaway or homeless youth;'';
       (F) in paragraph (9), as so redesignated, by striking 
     ``statistical summaries'' and inserting ``statistics'';
       (G) in paragraph (13)(C), as so redesignated--
       (i) by striking clause (i) and inserting:
       ``(i) the number and characteristics of runaway and 
     homeless youth, and youth at risk of family separation, who 
     participate in the project, including such information on--

       ``(I) such youth (including both types of such 
     participating youth) who are victims of trafficking in 
     persons or sexual exploitation, disaggregated by--

       ``(aa) such youth who have been coerced or forced into a 
     commercial sex act, as defined in section 103 of the 
     Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102);
       ``(bb) such youth who have been coerced or forced into 
     other forms of labor; and
       ``(cc) such youth who have engaged in a commercial sex act, 
     as so defined, for any reason other than by coercion or 
     force;

       ``(II) such youth who are pregnant or parenting;
       ``(III) such youth who have been involved in the child 
     welfare system; and
       ``(IV) such youth who have been involved in the juvenile 
     justice system; and''; and

       (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (H) in paragraph (14), as so redesignated, by striking the 
     period and inserting ``for natural disasters, inclement 
     weather, and mental health emergencies;''; and
       (I) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(15) shall provide age, gender, and culturally and 
     linguistically appropriate services to runaway and homeless 
     youth; and
       ``(16) shall assist youth in completing the Free 
     Application for Federal Student Aid described in section 483 
     of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1090).''; and
       (2) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by inserting ``age, gender, and culturally and 
     linguistically appropriate'' after ``provide'';
       (ii) by striking ``families (including unrelated 
     individuals in the family households) of such youth'' and 
     inserting ``families of such youth (including unrelated 
     individuals in the family households of such youth and, if 
     appropriate, individuals identified by such youth as 
     family)''; and
       (iii) by inserting ``suicide prevention,'' after ``physical 
     health care,''; and
       (B) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``, including training 
     on trauma-informed and youth-centered care'' after ``home-
     based services''.
       (c) Approval of Applications.--Section 313(b) (42 U.S.C. 
     5713(b)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``priority to'' and all that follows 
     through ``who'' and inserting ``priority to eligible 
     applicants who'';
       (2) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a period; and
       (3) by striking paragraph (2).

     SEC. 5. TRANSITIONAL LIVING GRANT PROGRAM.

       Section 322(a) (42 U.S.C. 5714-2(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by inserting ``age, gender, and culturally and 
     linguistically appropriate'' before ``information and 
     counseling services''; and
       (B) by striking ``job attainment skills, and mental and 
     physical health care'' and inserting ``job attainment skills, 
     mental and physical health care, and suicide prevention 
     services''; and
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (8) and (9) 
     through (16) as paragraphs (5) through (10) and (12) through 
     (19), respectively;
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
       ``(3) to provide counseling to homeless youth and to 
     encourage, if appropriate, the involvement in such counseling 
     of their parents or legal guardians, or (if appropriate) 
     individuals identified by such youth as family;
       ``(4) to provide aftercare services, if possible, to 
     homeless youth who have received shelter and services from a 
     transitional living youth project, including (to the extent 
     practicable) such youth who, after receiving such shelter and 
     services, relocate to a State other than the State in which 
     such project is located;'';
       (4) in paragraph (9), as so redesignated--
       (A) by inserting ``age, gender, and culturally and 
     linguistically appropriate'' after ``referral of homeless 
     youth to'';
       (B) by striking ``and health care programs'' and inserting 
     ``mental health service and health care programs, including 
     programs providing comprehensive services to victims of 
     trafficking in persons or sexual exploitation,''; and
       (C) by striking ``such services for youths;'' and inserting 
     ``such programs described in this paragraph;'';
       (5) by inserting after paragraph (10), as so redesignated, 
     the following:
       ``(11) to develop a plan to provide age, gender, and 
     culturally and linguistically appropriate services that 
     address the needs of homeless and street youth;'';
       (6) in paragraph (12), as so redesignated, by striking 
     ``the applicant and statistical'' through ``who participate 
     in such project,'' and inserting ``the applicant, statistical 
     summaries describing the number, the characteristics, and the 
     demographic information of the homeless youth who participate 
     in such project, including the prevalence of trafficking in 
     persons and sexual exploitation of such youth,''; and
       (7) in paragraph (19), as so redesignated, by inserting 
     ``regarding responses to natural disasters, inclement 
     weather, and mental health emergencies'' after ``management 
     plan''.

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

       (a) Coordination.--Section 341 (42 U.S.C. 5714-21) is 
     amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting 
     ``safety, well-being,'' after ``health,''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``other Federal 
     entities'' and inserting ``the Department of Housing and 
     Urban Development, the Department of Education, the 
     Department of Labor, and the Department of Justice''.
       (b) Grants for Technical Assistance and Training.--Section 
     342 (42 U.S.C. 5714-22) is amended by inserting ``, including 
     onsite and web-based techniques, such as on-demand and online 
     learning,'' before ``to public and private entities''.
       (c) Grants for Research, Evaluation, Demonstration, and 
     Service Projects.--Section 343 (42 U.S.C. 5714-23) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (5)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``violence, trauma, 
     and'' before ``sexual abuse and assault'';
       (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``sexual abuse and 
     assault; and'' and inserting ``sexual abuse or assault, 
     trafficking in persons, or sexual exploitation;''; and
       (iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``who have been 
     sexually victimized'' and inserting ``who are victims of 
     sexual abuse or assault, trafficking in persons, or sexual 
     exploitation''; and
       (iv) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) best practices for identifying and providing age, 
     gender, and culturally and linguistically appropriate 
     services to--
       ``(i) vulnerable and underserved youth populations; and
       ``(ii) youth who are victims of trafficking in persons or 
     sexual exploitation; and
       ``(E) verifying youth as runaway or homeless to complete 
     the Free Application for Federal Student Aid described in 
     section 483 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1090);'';
       (B) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (C) in paragraph (10), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and''; and
       (D) by adding at end the following:

[[Page S4766]]

       ``(11) examining the intersection between the runaway and 
     homeless youth populations and trafficking in persons, 
     including noting whether such youth who are victims of 
     trafficking in persons were previously involved in the child 
     welfare or juvenile justice systems.''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)(2)(B), by inserting ``, including 
     such youth who are victims of trafficking in persons or 
     sexual exploitation'' after ``runaway or homeless youth''.
       (d) Periodic Estimate of Incidence and Prevalence of Youth 
     Homelessness.--Section 345 (42 U.S.C. 5714-25) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by striking ``13'' and inserting ``12''; and
       (ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting 
     a semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) that includes demographic information about and 
     characteristics of runaway or homeless youth, including such 
     youth who are victims of trafficking in persons or sexual 
     exploitation; and
       ``(4) that does not disclose the identity of any runaway or 
     homeless youth.''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)(1)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``13'' and inserting ``12'';
       (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (C) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
       (D) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
       ``(B) incidences, if any, of--
       ``(i) such individuals who are victims of trafficking in 
     persons; or
       ``(ii) such individuals who are victims of sexual 
     exploitation; and''; and
       (E) in subparagraph (C), as so redesignated--
       (i) in clause (ii), by striking ``; and'' and inserting ``, 
     including mental health services;''; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iv) access to education and job training; and''.

     SEC. 7. SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM.

       Section 351 (42 U.S.C. 5714-41) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by inserting ``public and'' before ``nonprofit''; and
       (B) by striking ``prostitution, or sexual exploitation.'' 
     and inserting ``violence, trafficking in persons, or sexual 
     exploitation.''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) Eligibility Requirements.--To be eligible to receive 
     a grant under subsection (a), an applicant shall certify to 
     the Secretary that such applicant has systems in place to 
     ensure that such applicant can provide age, gender, and 
     culturally and linguistically appropriate services to all 
     youth described in subsection (a).''.

     SEC. 8. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

       (a) Reports.--Section 382(a) (42 U.S.C. 5715(a)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as 
     subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
       ``(B) collecting data on trafficking in persons and sexual 
     exploitation of runaway and homeless youth;''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) the number and characteristics of homeless youth 
     served by such projects, including--
       ``(i) such youth who are victims of trafficking in persons 
     or sexual exploitation;
       ``(ii) such youth who are pregnant or parenting;
       ``(iii) such youth who have been involved in the child 
     welfare system; and
       ``(iv) such youth who have been involved in the juvenile 
     justice system;''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``intrafamily 
     problems'' and inserting ``problems within the family, 
     including (if appropriate) individuals identified by such 
     youth as family,''.
       (b) Nondiscrimination.--Part F is amended by inserting 
     after section 386A (42 U.S.C. 5732-1) the following:

     ``SEC. 386B. NONDISCRIMINATION.

       ``(a) In General.--No person in the United States shall, on 
     the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, 
     national origin, sex, gender identity (as defined in section 
     249(c)(4) of title 18, United States Code), sexual 
     orientation, or disability, be excluded from participation 
     in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination 
     under any program or activity funded in whole or in part with 
     funds made available under this title, or any other program 
     or activity funded in whole or in part with amounts 
     appropriated for grants, cooperative agreements, or other 
     assistance administered by the Administration for Children 
     and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services.
       ``(b) Disqualification.--Any State, locality, organization, 
     agency, or entity that violates the requirements of 
     subsection (a) shall not be eligible to receive any grant, 
     assistance, or funding provided under this title.''.
       (c) Definitions.--Section 387 (42 U.S.C. 5732a) is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (7) and (8) as paragraphs 
     (8) and (9), respectively;
       (2) in paragraph (5)(B)(v)--
       (A) by redesignating subclauses (II) through (IV) as 
     subclauses (III) through (V), respectively;
       (B) by inserting after subclause (I), the following:

       ``(II) trafficking in persons;'';

       (C) in subclause (IV), as so redesignated--
       (i) by striking ``diseases'' and inserting ``infections''; 
     and
       (ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (D) in subclause (V), as so redesignated, by striking the 
     period and inserting ``; and''; and
       (E) by adding at the end the following:

       ``(VI) suicide.'';

       (3) in paragraph (6)(B), by striking ``prostitution,'' and 
     inserting ``trafficking in persons,'';
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (6), the following:
       ``(7) Trafficking in persons.--The term `trafficking in 
     persons' has the meaning given the term `severe forms of 
     trafficking in persons' in section 103 of the Trafficking 
     Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102).'';
       (5) in paragraph (8), as so redesignated--
       (A) by inserting ``to homeless youth'' after ``provides''; 
     and
       (B) by inserting ``, to establish a stable family or 
     community supports,'' after ``self-sufficient living''; and
       (6) in paragraph (9)(B), as so redesignated--
       (A) in clause (ii)--
       (i) by inserting ``or able'' after ``willing''; and
       (ii) by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (B) in clause (iii), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; or''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iv) who is involved in the child welfare or juvenile 
     justice system, but who is not receiving government-funded 
     housing.''.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 388(a) (42 
     U.S.C. 5751(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``for fiscal year 2009,'' 
     and all that follows through the period and inserting ``for 
     each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019.'';
       (2) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ``such sums as may be 
     necessary for fiscal years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 
     2013.'' and inserting ``$2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
     2015 through 2019.''; and
       (3) in paragraph (4), by striking ``for fiscal year 2009'' 
     and all that follows through the period and inserting ``for 
     each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019.''.

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Runaway and 
Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act with Senate Judiciary 
Committee Chairman Leahy. This bill would reauthorize the Runaway and 
Homeless Youth Act, which expired last September. The programs 
supported by this Act have provided lifesaving services and housing for 
America's homeless and human trafficked youth for forty years and are a 
vital tool in addressing the problem of homelessness among young people 
in our country.
  Homelessness is affecting youth in unprecedented numbers. According 
to the Health Resources and Services Administration, there are 
approximately 1.6 million homeless teens in the United States. Some 
advocacy groups estimate that 39 percent of the homeless population is 
under the age of 18. Some of these youth may stay away from home for 
only one or two nights, while others have been living on the street for 
years.
  Of the 1.6 million homeless youth, the National Alliance to End 
Homelessness estimates that, in any given year, there are approximately 
550,000 unaccompanied, single youth and young adults up to age 24 who 
experience a homelessness episode of longer than one week. 
Approximately 200,000 youth each year live permanently on the street--a 
life that is extremely difficult, often dangerous, and unhealthy. 
Sadly, 5,000 teenagers are buried each year in unmarked graves either 
because they are unidentified or unclaimed.
  Teens run away and become homeless for many reasons. A study 
conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found 
that 46 percent of homeless youth left home because of physical abuse 
and 17 percent because of sexual abuse. This population is at greater 
risk of suicide, unintended pregnancy, and substance abuse. Many are 
unable to continue with school and are more likely to enter our 
juvenile justice system.
  As the Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban 
Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee on Appropriations, I 
have made addressing homelessness a priority. Since 2010, we have seen 
a 16 percent drop in chronic homelessness. We must build on this 
success and ensure our nation's homeless youth have opportunities to 
succeed just as other youth. The Administration has set a goal, which I 
fully support, to prevent and end youth homelessness by 2020.
  The programs reauthorized by this bill serve homeless youth by 
meeting

[[Page S4767]]

their immediate needs and providing long-term residential services for 
youth who cannot be safely reunified with family. In 2013, 94 percent 
of the minors who entered Basic Center Programs exited these programs 
safely and appropriately, and 72 percent were reunited with their 
families. Similarly, 88 percent of youth in Transitional Living 
Programs made safe and appropriate exits.
  In Portland, Maine, the Preble Street Resource Center has used 
Runaway and Homeless Youth Act resources to connect with youth who need 
food, a safe place to sleep, health services, and education support. 
Over 200 individual youth were served at the Joe Kreisler Teen Shelter 
last year, and dozens received the support they needed to return home, 
find independent living options, and deal with trauma, substance abuse, 
and mental health challenges. The Street Outreach Program allows Preble 
Street to operate a Drop-In center and helps caseworkers and social 
workers connect with youth who appear homeless or in distress. This 
support often translates into powerful success stories. In fact, Preble 
Street has seen some of its youth go on to become physicians, 
attorneys, film makers, and social workers.
  Mr. President, homeless youth are at high risk of victimization, 
abuse, targeting by human traffickers, criminal activity, and death. 
Research shows that 40 to 60 percent of homeless youth have experienced 
physical abuse. Without a safe place to stay, young people suffer and 
remain disconnected from education, the workforce, and community 
involvement, and they struggle to enter adulthood successfully.
  The Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act will 
support the critically needed services for young people who run away, 
are thrown out, or are disconnected from families. A caring and safe 
place to sleep, eat, grow, and develop is critical for all young 
people, and the programs reauthorized through this legislation help 
extend those basic services to the most vulnerable youth in our 
communities.
  I urge my colleagues to join Senator Leahy and me in supporting this 
bill.
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