[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6825-6832]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        MISSING, EXPLOITED, AND RUNAWAY CHILDREN PROTECTION ACT

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 27, S. 249.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 249) to provide funding for the National Center 
     for Missing and Exploited Children, to reauthorize the 
     Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, 
which had been reported from the Committee on the Judiciary, with an 
amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu 
thereof the following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Missing, Exploited, and 
     Runaway Children Protection Act''.

     SEC. 2. NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN.

       (a) Findings.--Section 402 of the Missing Children's 
     Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5771) is amended--

[[Page 6826]]

       (1) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) for 14 years, the National Center for Missing and 
     Exploited Children has--
       ``(A) served as the national resource center and 
     clearinghouse congressionally mandated under the provisions 
     of the Missing Children's Assistance Act of 1984; and
       ``(B) worked in partnership with the Department of Justice, 
     the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of the 
     Treasury, the Department of State, and many other agencies in 
     the effort to find missing children and prevent child 
     victimization;
       ``(10) Congress has given the Center, which is a private 
     non-profit corporation, access to the National Crime 
     Information Center of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 
     and the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System;
       ``(11) since 1987, the Center has operated the National 
     Child Pornography Tipline, in conjunction with the United 
     States Customs Service and the United States Postal 
     Inspection Service and, beginning this year, the Center 
     established a new CyberTipline on child exploitation, thus 
     becoming `the 911 for the Internet';
       ``(12) in light of statistics that time is of the essence 
     in cases of child abduction, the Director of the Federal 
     Bureau of Investigation in February of 1997 created a new 
     NCIC child abduction (`CA') flag to provide the Center 
     immediate notification in the most serious cases, resulting 
     in 642 `CA' notifications to the Center and helping the 
     Center to have its highest recovery rate in history;
       ``(13) the Center has established a national and 
     increasingly worldwide network, linking the Center online 
     with each of the missing children clearinghouses operated by 
     the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, as 
     well as with Scotland Yard in the United Kingdom, the Royal 
     Canadian Mounted Police, INTERPOL headquarters in Lyon, 
     France, and others, which has enabled the Center to transmit 
     images and information regarding missing children to law 
     enforcement across the United States and around the world 
     instantly;
       ``(14) from its inception in 1984 through March 31, 1998, 
     the Center has--
       ``(A) handled 1,203,974 calls through its 24-hour toll-free 
     hotline (1-800-THE-LOST) and currently averages 700 calls per 
     day;
       ``(B) trained 146,284 law enforcement, criminal and 
     juvenile justice, and healthcare professionals in child 
     sexual exploitation and missing child case detection, 
     identification, investigation, and prevention;
       ``(C) disseminated 15,491,344 free publications to citizens 
     and professionals; and
       ``(D) worked with law enforcement on the cases of 59,481 
     missing children, resulting in the recovery of 40,180 
     children;
       ``(15) the demand for the services of the Center is growing 
     dramatically, as evidenced by the fact that in 1997, the 
     Center handled 129,100 calls, an all-time record, and by the 
     fact that its new Internet website (www.missingkids.com) 
     receives 1,500,000 `hits' every day, and is linked with 
     hundreds of other websites to provide real-time images of 
     breaking cases of missing children;
       ``(16) in 1997, the Center provided policy training to 256 
     police chiefs and sheriffs from 50 States and Guam at its new 
     Jimmy Ryce Law Enforcement Training Center;
       ``(17) the programs of the Center have had a remarkable 
     impact, such as in the fight against infant abductions in 
     partnership with the healthcare industry, during which the 
     Center has performed 668 onsite hospital walk-throughs and 
     inspections, and trained 45,065 hospital administrators, 
     nurses, and security personnel, and thereby helped to reduce 
     infant abductions in the United States by 82 percent;
       ``(18) the Center is now playing a significant role in 
     international child abduction cases, serving as a 
     representative of the Department of State at cases under The 
     Hague Convention, and successfully resolving the cases of 343 
     international child abductions, and providing greater support 
     to parents in the United States;
       ``(19) the Center is a model of public/private partnership, 
     raising private sector funds to match congressional 
     appropriations and receiving extensive private in-kind 
     support, including advanced technology provided by the 
     computer industry such as imaging technology used to age the 
     photographs of long-term missing children and to reconstruct 
     facial images of unidentified deceased children;
       ``(20) the Center was 1 of only 10 of 300 major national 
     charities given an A+ grade in 1997 by the American Institute 
     of Philanthropy; and
       ``(21) the Center has been redesignated as the Nation's 
     missing children clearinghouse and resource center once every 
     3 years through a competitive selection process conducted by 
     the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of 
     the Department of Justice, and has received grants from that 
     Office to conduct the crucial purposes of the Center.''.
       (b) Definitions.--Section 403 of the Missing Children's 
     Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5772) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) the term `Center' means the National Center for 
     Missing and Exploited Children.''.
       (c) Duties and Functions of the Administrator.--Section 404 
     of the Missing Children's Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5773) is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
       (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
       ``(b) Annual Grant to National Center for Missing and 
     Exploited Children.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall annually make a 
     grant to the Center, which shall be used to--
       ``(A)(i) operate a national 24-hour toll-free telephone 
     line by which individuals may report information regarding 
     the location of any missing child, or other child 13 years of 
     age or younger whose whereabouts are unknown to such child's 
     legal custodian, and request information pertaining to 
     procedures necessary to reunite such child with such child's 
     legal custodian; and
       ``(ii) coordinate the operation of such telephone line with 
     the operation of the national communications system referred 
     to in part C of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 
     5714-11);
       ``(B) operate the official national resource center and 
     information clearinghouse for missing and exploited children;
       ``(C) provide to State and local governments, public and 
     private nonprofit agencies, and individuals, information 
     regarding--
       ``(i) free or low-cost legal, restaurant, lodging, and 
     transportation services that are available for the benefit of 
     missing and exploited children and their families; and
       ``(ii) the existence and nature of programs being carried 
     out by Federal agencies to assist missing and exploited 
     children and their families;
       ``(D) coordinate public and private programs that locate, 
     recover, or reunite missing children with their families;
       ``(E) disseminate, on a national basis, information 
     relating to innovative and model programs, services, and 
     legislation that benefit missing and exploited children;
       ``(F) provide technical assistance and training to law 
     enforcement agencies, State and local governments, elements 
     of the criminal justice system, public and private nonprofit 
     agencies, and individuals in the prevention, investigation, 
     prosecution, and treatment of cases involving missing and 
     exploited children; and
       ``(G) provide assistance to families and law enforcement 
     agencies in locating and recovering missing and exploited 
     children, both nationally and internationally.
       ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this 
     subsection, $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2000, 2001, 
     2002, 2003, and 2004.
       ``(c) National Incidence Studies.--The Administrator, 
     either by making grants to or entering into contracts with 
     public agencies or nonprofit private agencies, shall--
       ``(1) periodically conduct national incidence studies to 
     determine for a given year the actual number of children 
     reported missing each year, the number of children who are 
     victims of abduction by strangers, the number of children who 
     are the victims of parental kidnapings, and the number of 
     children who are recovered each year; and
       ``(2) provide to State and local governments, public and 
     private nonprofit agencies, and individuals information to 
     facilitate the lawful use of school records and birth 
     certificates to identify and locate missing children.''.
       (d) National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.--
     Section 405(a) of the Missing Children's Assistance Act (42 
     U.S.C. 5775(a)) is amended by inserting ``the Center and 
     with'' before ``public agencies''.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 408 of the 
     Missing Children's Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5777) is amended 
     by striking ``1997 through 2001'' and inserting ``2000 
     through 2004''.

     SEC. 3. RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH.

       (a) Findings.--Section 302 of the Runaway and Homeless 
     Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5701) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``accurate reporting of 
     the problem nationally and to develop'' and inserting ``an 
     accurate national reporting system to report the problem, and 
     to assist in the development of''; and
       (2) by striking paragraph (8) and inserting the following:
       ``(8) services for runaway and homeless youth are needed in 
     urban, suburban, and rural areas;''.
       (b) Authority To Make Grants for Centers and Services.--
     Section 311 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 
     5711) is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
       ``(a) Grants for Centers and Services.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall make grants to 
     public and nonprofit private entities (and combinations of 
     such entities) to establish and operate (including 
     renovation) local centers to provide services for runaway and 
     homeless youth and for the families of such youth.
       ``(2) Services provided.--Services provided under paragraph 
     (1)--
       ``(A) shall be provided as an alternative to involving 
     runaway and homeless youth in the law enforcement, child 
     welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice systems;
       ``(B) shall include--
       ``(i) safe and appropriate shelter; and
       ``(ii) individual, family, and group counseling, as 
     appropriate; and
       ``(C) may include--
       ``(i) street-based services;

[[Page 6827]]

       ``(ii) home-based services for families with youth at risk 
     of separation from the family; and
       ``(iii) drug abuse education and prevention services.'';
       (2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``the Trust Territory 
     of the Pacific Islands,''; and
       (3) by striking subsections (c) and (d).
       (c) Eligibility.--Section 312 of the Runaway and Homeless 
     Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5712) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (8), by striking ``paragraph (6)'' and 
     inserting ``paragraph (7)'';
       (B) in paragraph (10), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (C) in paragraph (11), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(12) shall submit to the Secretary an annual report that 
     includes, with respect to the year for which the report is 
     submitted--
       ``(A) information regarding the activities carried out 
     under this part;
       ``(B) the achievements of the project under this part 
     carried out by the applicant; and
       ``(C) statistical summaries describing--
       ``(i) the number and the characteristics of the runaway and 
     homeless youth, and youth at risk of family separation, who 
     participate in the project; and
       ``(ii) the services provided to such youth by the 
     project.''; and
       (2) by striking subsections (c) and (d) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(c) Applicants Providing Street-Based Services.--To be 
     eligible to use assistance under section 311(a)(2)(C)(i) to 
     provide street-based services, the applicant shall include in 
     the plan required by subsection (b) assurances that in 
     providing such services the applicant will--
       ``(1) provide qualified supervision of staff, including on-
     street supervision by appropriately trained staff;
       ``(2) provide backup personnel for on-street staff;
       ``(3) provide initial and periodic training of staff who 
     provide such services; and
       ``(4) conduct outreach activities for runaway and homeless 
     youth, and street youth.
       ``(d) Applicants Providing Home-Based Services.--To be 
     eligible to use assistance under section 311(a) to provide 
     home-based services described in section 311(a)(2)(C)(ii), an 
     applicant shall include in the plan required by subsection 
     (b) assurances that in providing such services the applicant 
     will--
       ``(1) provide counseling and information to youth and the 
     families (including unrelated individuals in the family 
     households) of such youth, including services relating to 
     basic life skills, interpersonal skill building, educational 
     advancement, job attainment skills, mental and physical 
     health care, parenting skills, financial planning, and 
     referral to sources of other needed services;
       ``(2) provide directly, or through an arrangement made by 
     the applicant, 24-hour service to respond to family crises 
     (including immediate access to temporary shelter for runaway 
     and homeless youth, and youth at risk of separation from the 
     family);
       ``(3) establish, in partnership with the families of 
     runaway and homeless youth, and youth at risk of separation 
     from the family, objectives and measures of success to be 
     achieved as a result of receiving home-based services;
       ``(4) provide initial and periodic training of staff who 
     provide home-based services; and
       ``(5) ensure that--
       ``(A) caseloads will remain sufficiently low to allow for 
     intensive (5 to 20 hours per week) involvement with each 
     family receiving such services; and
       ``(B) staff providing such services will receive qualified 
     supervision.
       ``(e) Applicants Providing Drug Abuse Education and 
     Prevention Services.--To be eligible to use assistance under 
     section 311(a)(2)(C)(iii) to provide drug abuse education and 
     prevention services, an applicant shall include in the plan 
     required by subsection (b)--
       ``(1) a description of--
       ``(A) the types of such services that the applicant 
     proposes to provide;
       ``(B) the objectives of such services; and
       ``(C) the types of information and training to be provided 
     to individuals providing such services to runaway and 
     homeless youth; and
       ``(2) an assurance that in providing such services the 
     applicant shall conduct outreach activities for runaway and 
     homeless youth.''.
       (d) Approval of Applications.--Section 313 of the Runaway 
     and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5713) is amended to read as 
     follows:

     ``SEC. 313. APPROVAL OF APPLICATIONS.

       ``(a) In General.--An application by a public or private 
     entity for a grant under section 311(a) may be approved by 
     the Secretary after taking into consideration, with respect 
     to the State in which such entity proposes to provide 
     services under this part--
       ``(1) the geographical distribution in such State of the 
     proposed services under this part for which all grant 
     applicants request approval; and
       ``(2) which areas of such State have the greatest need for 
     such services.
       ``(b) Priority.--In selecting applications for grants under 
     section 311(a), the Secretary shall give priority to--
       ``(1) eligible applicants who have demonstrated experience 
     in providing services to runaway and homeless youth; and
       ``(2) eligible applicants that request grants of less than 
     $200,000.''.
       (e) Authority for Transitional Living Grant Program.--
     Section 321 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 
     5714-1) is amended--
       (1) in the section heading, by striking ``purpose and'';
       (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``(a)''; and
       (3) by striking subsection (b).
       (f) Eligibility.--Section 322(a)(9) of the Runaway and 
     Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-2(a)(9)) is amended by 
     inserting ``, and the services provided to such youth by such 
     project,'' after ``such project''.
       (g) Coordination.--Section 341 of the Runaway and Homeless 
     Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-21) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 341. COORDINATION.

       ``With respect to matters relating to the health, 
     education, employment, and housing of runaway and homeless 
     youth, the Secretary--
       ``(1) in conjunction with the Attorney General, shall 
     coordinate the activities of agencies of the Department of 
     Health and Human Services with activities under any other 
     Federal juvenile crime control, prevention, and juvenile 
     offender accountability program and with the activities of 
     other Federal entities; and
       ``(2) shall coordinate the activities of agencies of the 
     Department of Health and Human Services with the activities 
     of other Federal entities and with the activities of entities 
     that are eligible to receive grants under this title.''.
       (h) Authority To Make 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 the section heading, by inserting ``evaluation,'' 
     after ``research,'';
       (2) in subsection (a), by inserting ``evaluation,'' after 
     ``research,''; and
       (3) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by striking paragraph (2); and
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (10) as 
     paragraphs (2) through (9), respectively.
       (i) Assistance to Potential Grantees.--Section 371 of the 
     Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714a) is amended 
     by striking the last sentence.
       (j) Reports.--Section 381 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 5715) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 381. REPORTS.

       ``(a) In General.--Not later than April 1, 2000, and 
     biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit, to the 
     Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the 
     Senate, a report on the status, activities, and 
     accomplishments of entities that receive grants under parts 
     A, B, C, D, and E, with particular attention to--
       ``(1) in the case of centers funded under part A, the 
     ability or effectiveness of such centers in--
       ``(A) alleviating the problems of runaway and homeless 
     youth;
       ``(B) if applicable or appropriate, reuniting such youth 
     with their families and encouraging the resolution of 
     intrafamily problems through counseling and other services;
       ``(C) strengthening family relationships and encouraging 
     stable living conditions for such youth; and
       ``(D) assisting such youth to decide upon a future course 
     of action; and
       ``(2) in the case of projects funded under part B--
       ``(A) the number and characteristics of homeless youth 
     served by such projects;
       ``(B) the types of activities carried out by such projects;
       ``(C) the effectiveness of such projects in alleviating the 
     problems of homeless youth;
       ``(D) the effectiveness of such projects in preparing 
     homeless youth for self-sufficiency;
       ``(E) the effectiveness of such projects in assisting 
     homeless youth to decide upon future education, employment, 
     and independent living;
       ``(F) the ability of such projects to encourage the 
     resolution of intrafamily problems through counseling and 
     development of self-sufficient living skills; and
       ``(G) activities and programs planned by such projects for 
     the following fiscal year.
       ``(b) Contents of Reports.--The Secretary shall include in 
     each report submitted under subsection (a), summaries of--
       ``(1) the evaluations performed by the Secretary under 
     section 386; and
       ``(2) descriptions of the qualifications of, and training 
     provided to, individuals involved in carrying out such 
     evaluations.''.
       (k) Evaluation.--Section 384 of the Runaway and Homeless 
     Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5732) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 386. EVALUATION AND INFORMATION.

       ``(a) In General.--If a grantee receives grants for 3 
     consecutive fiscal years under part A, B, C, D, or E (in the 
     alternative), then the Secretary shall evaluate such grantee 
     on-site, not less frequently than once in the period of such 
     3 consecutive fiscal years, for purposes of--
       ``(1) determining whether such grants are being used for 
     the purposes for which such grants are made by the Secretary;
       ``(2) collecting additional information for the report 
     required by section 383; and
       ``(3) providing such information and assistance to such 
     grantee as will enable such grantee to improve the operation 
     of the centers, projects, and activities for which such 
     grants are made.
       ``(b) Cooperation.--Recipients of grants under this title 
     shall cooperate with the Secretary's efforts to carry out 
     evaluations, and to collect information, under this title.''.
       (l) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 385 of the 
     Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5751) is amended to 
     read as follows:

[[Page 6828]]



     ``SEC. 388. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``(a) In General.--
       ``(1) Authorization.--There is authorized to be 
     appropriated to carry out this title (other than part E) such 
     sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2000, 2001, 2002, 
     2003, and 2004.
       ``(2) Allocation.--
       ``(A) Parts a and b.--From the amount appropriated under 
     paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve 
     not less than 90 percent to carry out parts A and B.
       ``(B) Part b.--Of the amount reserved under subparagraph 
     (A), not less than 20 percent, and not more than 30 percent, 
     shall be reserved to carry out part B.
       ``(3) Parts c and d.--In each fiscal year, after reserving 
     the amounts required by paragraph (2), the Secretary shall 
     use the remaining amount (if any) to carry out parts C and D.
       ``(b) Separate Identification Required.--No funds 
     appropriated to carry out this title may be combined with 
     funds appropriated under any other Act if the purpose of 
     combining such funds is to make a single discretionary grant, 
     or a single discretionary payment, unless such funds are 
     separately identified in all grants and contracts and are 
     used for the purposes specified in this title.''.
       (m) Sexual Abuse Prevention Program.--
       (1) Authority for program.--The Runaway and Homeless Youth 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.) is amended--
       (A) by striking the heading for part F;
       (B) by redesignating part E as part F; and
       (C) by inserting after part D the following:

               ``PART E--SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM

     ``SEC. 351. AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make grants to 
     nonprofit private agencies for the purpose of providing 
     street-based services to runaway and homeless, and street 
     youth, who have been subjected to, or are at risk of being 
     subjected to, sexual abuse, prostitution, or sexual 
     exploitation.
       ``(b) Priority.--In selecting applicants to receive grants 
     under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to 
     nonprofit private agencies that have experience in providing 
     services to runaway and homeless, and street youth.''.
       (2) Authorization of appropriations.--Section 388(a) of the 
     Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5751), as amended 
     by subsection (l) of this section, is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:
       ``(4) Part E.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out part E such sums as may be necessary for fiscal 
     years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004.''.
       (n) Definitions.--The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 
     U.S.C. 5701 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 
     386, as amended by subsection (k) of this section, the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 387. DEFINITIONS.

       ``In this title:
       ``(1) Drug abuse education and prevention services.--The 
     term `drug abuse education and prevention services'--
       ``(A) means services to runaway and homeless youth to 
     prevent or reduce the illicit use of drugs by such youth; and
       ``(B) may include--
       ``(i) individual, family, group, and peer counseling;
       ``(ii) drop-in services;
       ``(iii) assistance to runaway and homeless youth in rural 
     areas (including the development of community support 
     groups);
       ``(iv) information and training relating to the illicit use 
     of drugs by runaway and homeless youth, to individuals 
     involved in providing services to such youth; and
       ``(v) activities to improve the availability of local drug 
     abuse prevention services to runaway and homeless youth.
       ``(2) Home-based services.--The term `home-based 
     services'--
       ``(A) means services provided to youth and their families 
     for the purpose of--
       ``(i) preventing such youth from running away, or otherwise 
     becoming separated, from their families; and
       ``(ii) assisting runaway youth to return to their families; 
     and
       ``(B) includes services that are provided in the residences 
     of families (to the extent practicable), including--
       ``(i) intensive individual and family counseling; and
       ``(ii) training relating to life skills and parenting.
       ``(3) Homeless youth.--The term `homeless youth' means an 
     individual--
       ``(A) who is--
       ``(i) not more than 21 years of age; and
       ``(ii) for the purposes of part B, not less than 16 years 
     of age;
       ``(B) for whom it is not possible to live in a safe 
     environment with a relative; and
       ``(C) who has no other safe alternative living arrangement.
       ``(4) Street-based services.--The term `street-based 
     services'--
       ``(A) means services provided to runaway and homeless 
     youth, and street youth, in areas where they congregate, 
     designed to assist such youth in making healthy personal 
     choices regarding where they live and how they behave; and
       ``(B) may include--
       ``(i) identification of and outreach to runaway and 
     homeless youth, and street youth;
       ``(ii) crisis intervention and counseling;
       ``(iii) information and referral for housing;
       ``(iv) information and referral for transitional living and 
     health care services;
       ``(v) advocacy, education, and prevention services related 
     to--

       ``(I) alcohol and drug abuse;
       ``(II) sexual exploitation;
       ``(III) sexually transmitted diseases, including human 
     immunodeficiency virus (HIV); and
       ``(IV) physical and sexual assault.

       ``(5) Street youth.--The term `street youth' means an 
     individual who--
       ``(A) is--
       ``(i) a runaway youth; or
       ``(ii) indefinitely or intermittently a homeless youth; and
       ``(B) spends a significant amount of time on the street or 
     in other areas that increase the risk to such youth for 
     sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, prostitution, or drug 
     abuse.
       ``(6) Transitional living youth project.--The term 
     `transitional living youth project' means a project that 
     provides shelter and services designed to promote a 
     transition to self-sufficient living and to prevent long-term 
     dependency on social services.
       ``(7) Youth at risk of separation from the family.--The 
     term `youth at risk of separation from the family' means an 
     individual--
       ``(A) who is less than 18 years of age; and
       ``(B)(i) who has a history of running away from the family 
     of such individual;
       ``(ii) whose parent, guardian, or custodian is not willing 
     to provide for the basic needs of such individual; or
       ``(iii) who is at risk of entering the child welfare system 
     or juvenile justice system as a result of the lack of 
     services available to the family to meet such needs.''.
       (o) Redesignation of Sections.--Sections 371, 372, 381, 
     382, and 383 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 
     5714b-5851 et seq.), as amended by this title, are 
     redesignated as sections 381, 382, 383, 384, and 385, 
     respectively.
       (p) Technical Amendments.--The Runaway and Homeless Youth 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 331, in the first sentence, by striking 
     ``With'' and all that follows through ``the Secretary'', and 
     inserting ``The Secretary''; and
       (2) in section 344(a)(1), by striking ``With'' and all that 
     follows through ``the Secretary'', and inserting ``The 
     Secretary''.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I am proud that the Senate is now 
considering S. 249, the Missing, Exploited, and Runaway Children 
Protection Act of 1999. First, I would like to thank my colleague, the 
distinguished Senator from Vermont, Senator Leahy, for his hard work 
and dedication in advancing this important legislation. I also want to 
pay tribute to the cosponsors of S. 249, Senators DeWine, Grams, 
Ashcroft, Abraham, and Biden. This bill, which was reported out of the 
Judiciary Committee on a unanimous vote, reauthorizes two vital laws 
that serve a crucial line of defense in support of some of the most 
vulnerable members of our society--thousands of missing, exploited, 
homeless, or runaway children. It is a tragedy in our Nation that each 
year there are as many as over 114,000 attempted child abductions, 
4,500 child abductions reported to the police, 450,000 children who run 
away, and 438,000 children who are lost, injured, or missing. I am told 
that this is a growing problem even in my State of Utah.
  Families who have written to me have shared the pain of a lost or 
missing child. While missing, lost, on the run, or abducted, each of 
these children is at high risk of falling into the darkness of drug 
abuse, sexual abuse and exploitation, pain, hunger, and injury. Each of 
these children is precious, and deserves our efforts to save them.
  Our bill reauthorizes and improves the Missing Children's Assistance 
Act and the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. First, our bill revises the 
Missing Children's Assistance Act in part by recognizing the 
outstanding record of achievements of this National Center for Missing 
and Exploited Children. It will enable NCMEC to provide even greater 
protection of our Nation's children in the future. Second, our bill 
reauthorizes and revitalizes the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.
  At the heart of the bill's amendments to the Missing Children's 
Assistance Act is an enhanced authorization of appropriations for the 
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Under the authority 
of the Missing Children's Assistance Act, the Office of Juvenile 
Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has selected and given 
grants to the Center for the last fourteen years to operate a national 
resource center located in Arlington, Virginia and a national 24-hour 
toll-free telephone line. Today, the National Runaway Switchboard, 
which is a communications system designed to assist runaway youth and 
their families, responds to 150,000 calls a year. The Center provides 
invaluable assistance and

[[Page 6829]]

training to law enforcement around the country in cases of missing and 
exploited children. Through the Center's work in FY 1997, almost 36,000 
youth received food, 35,000 acquired shelter, over 22,000 obtained 
transportation home, 21,000 received substance abuse prevention 
services, and almost 18,000 received clothing. The Center's record is 
quite impressive, and its efforts have led directly to a significant 
increase in the percentage of missing children who are recovered 
safely.
  In fiscal year 1999, the Center received an earmark of $8.12 million 
in the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State Appropriations 
conference report. In addition, the Center's Jimmy Ryce Training Center 
received $1.25 million.
  This legislation continues and formalizes NCMEC's long partnership 
with the Justice Department and OJJDP, by directing OJJDP to make an 
annual grant to the Center, and authorizing annual appropriations of 
$10 million for fiscal years 1999 through 2004.
  NCMEC's exemplary record of performance and success, as demonstrated 
by the fact that NCMEC's recovery rate has climbed from 62% to 91%, 
justifies action by Congress to formally recognize it as the nation's 
official missing and exploited children's center, and to authorize a 
line-item appropriation. This bill will enable the Center to focus 
completely on its missions, without expending the annual effort to 
obtain authority and grants from OJJDP. It also will allow the Center 
to expand its longer-term arrangements with domestic and foreign law 
enforcement entities. By providing an authorization, the bill also will 
allow for better congressional oversight of the Center.
  The record of the Center, described briefly below, demonstrates the 
appropriateness of this authorization. For fourteen years, the Center 
has served as the national resource center and clearinghouse mandated 
by the Missing Children's Assistance Act. The Center has worked in 
partnership with the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation, the Department of Treasury, the State Department, and 
many other federal and state agencies in the effort to find missing 
children and prevent child victimization.
  The trust the federal government has placed in NCMEC, a private, non-
profit corporation, is evidenced by its unique access to the FBI's 
National Crime Information Center, and the National Law Enforcement 
Telecommunications System (NLETS).
  NCMEC has utilized the latest in technology, such as operating the 
National Child Pornography Tipline, establishing its new Internet 
website, www.missingkids.com, which is linked with hundreds of other 
websites to provide real-time images of breaking cases of missing 
children, and, beginning this year, establishing a new Cyber Tipline on 
child exploitation.
  NCMEC has established a national and increasingly worldwide network, 
linking NCMEC online with each of the missing children clearinghouses 
operated by the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In 
addition, NCMEC works constantly with international law enforcement 
authorities such as Scotland Yard in the United Kingdom, the Royal 
Canadian Mounted Police, INTERPOL headquarters in Lyon, France, and 
others. This network enables NCMEC to transmit images and information 
regarding missing children to law enforcement across America and around 
the world instantly. NCMEC also serves as the U.S. State Department's 
representative at child abduction cases under the Hague Convention.
  The record of NCMEC is demonstrated by the 1,203,974 calls received 
at its 24-hour toll-free hotline, 1(800)THE LOST, the 146,284 law 
enforcement, criminal/juvenile justice, and health care professionals 
trained, the 15,491,344 free publications distributed, and, most 
importantly, by its work on 59,481 cases of missing children, which has 
resulted in the recovery of 40,180 children. Each of these figures 
represents the activity of NCMEC through Spring, 1998. NCMEC is a 
shining example of the type of public-private partnership the Congress 
should encourage and recognize.
  The second part of our bill reforms and streamlines the Runaway and 
Homeless Youth Act, targeting federal assistance to areas with the 
greatest need, and making numerous technical changes. According to the 
National Network for Youth, the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act provides 
``critical assistance to youth in high-risk situations all over the 
country.'' Its three programs, discussed in more detail below, benefit 
those children truly in need and at high risk of becoming addicted to 
drugs, sexually exploited or abused, or involved in criminal behavior.
  The cornerstone of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act is the Basic 
Center Program which provides grants for temporary shelter and 
counseling for children under age 18. My home state of Utah received 
over $378,000 in grants in FY 1998 under this program, and I have 
received requests from Utah organizations such as the Baker Youth 
Service Home to reauthorize this important program. Cities such as 
Provo, Ogden, Cedar City, and Salt Lake City have received funding 
under the grants. Since 1993, at least 5,000 youths have received 
assistance in Utah.
  Community-based organizations also may request grants under the two 
related programs, the Transitional Living and the Sexual Abuse 
Prevention/Street Outreach programs. The Transitional Living grants 
provide longer term housing to homeless teens aged 16 to 21, and aim to 
move these teens to self-sufficiency and to avoid long-term dependency 
on public assistance. The Sexual Abuse Prevention/Street Outreach 
Program targets homeless teens potentially involved in high risk 
behaviors.
  In addition, the amendment reauthorizes the Runaway and Homeless 
Youth Act Rural Demonstration Projects which provide assistance to 
rural juvenile populations, such as in my state of Utah. Finally, the 
amendment makes several technical corrections to fix prior drafting 
errors in the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.
  The provisions of this bill will strengthen our commitment to our 
youth. The children helped by this legislation are not nameless, 
faceless statistics. They are children from every State and from each 
of our hometowns who are lost, sometimes abused, and frequently scared. 
Too often, no one takes the time to care. The Missing Children's 
Assistance Act and the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act fund programs in 
every State run by dedicated staff and volunteers who take the time to 
care. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, which will 
strengthen the Missing Children's Assistance Act, the National Center 
for Missing and Exploited Children, and the Runaway and Homeless Youth 
Act, and thus improve the safety and the lives of our Nation's most 
vulnerable children.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am delighted that the Senate is 
considering the Leahy-Hatch substitute to S. 249, the ``Missing, 
Exploited, and Runaway Children Protection Act,'' which will 
reauthorize programs under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act and 
authorize funding for the National Center for Missing and Exploited 
Children.
  This bill authorizes a variety of critical programs for our nation's 
most at risk children and youth--those who are missing or have been 
exploited and those who have run away or been forced from home or are 
homeless. That is why I am particularly pleased that Senator Hatch and 
I were able to work together and with Senator Biden, DeWine and Abraham 
in the Judiciary Committee to report our substitute amendment without a 
single objection in early March. These children need our help, not 
partisan bickering, and I hope the House of Representatives will follow 
our lead and enact this bill promptly.
  I have been working since 1996 to enact legislation to reauthorize 
the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. Unfortunately, that Act has been 
without clear authorization since then. It is past time for Congress to 
remedy this situation. Last Congress, I worked hard to pass a similar 
bill, S. 2073, which would have reauthorized the Runaway

[[Page 6830]]

and Homeless Youth Act and would have provided special authorization 
for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (``NCMEC''). 
With the assistance of Senators Kennedy, Biden, Kohl, and Feingold, 
Senator Hatch and I reported S. 2073 from the Judiciary Committee to 
the Senate in May 1998. That bill passed the Senate with the unanimous 
consent of all Senators on June 26, 1998.
  Rather than consider the Senate bill last year, the House of 
Representatives chose to use our bill number as a vehicle to try to 
force Senate action on controversial juvenile justice matters that had 
never been considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee or the full 
Senate. Thereafter, I worked to attach the provisions of our original 
and noncontroversial bill as an amendment to other legislation. Even 
when we were successful in the Senate, certain House Republicans 
continued to block all of our efforts.
  I am optimistic that S. 249, this year's bill, will not face the same 
fate. With such an array of supporters in the Senate, surely the House 
will also see fit to pass this legislation quickly so that the critical 
programs in the bill can be funded and implemented.
  I am particularly pleased that we have passed this bill with such 
strong bipartisan support. Reauthorizing the Runaway and Homeless Youth 
Act for five more years is the first step in assuring local community 
programs that they will have the resources they need to assist runaway 
youth and their families. And, today's bill will also help the NCMEC to 
continue their good work by providing them with a special authorization 
of appropriations for five years as well. These programs are just the 
sort that studies have found to be effective and efficient uses of 
limited federal dollars.
  The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provides 
extremely worthwhile and effective assistance to children and families 
facing crises across the U.S. and around the world. In 1998, the 
National Center helped law enforcement officers locate over 5,000 
missing children. They also handled 132,357 telephone calls to their 
hotline, which included calls to report a missing child, to request 
information or assistance and to provide leads on missing or 
potentially exploited children. This figure includes 10,904 reported 
leads or sightings of missing children, an increase of 25 percent over 
such leads in 1997.
  Since 1984, the National Center has helped investigate 83 cases 
involving Vermont children who have been reported missing. They have 
had extraordinary success in resolving these cases, some of which have 
taken several years and have involved out of state or international 
negotiations, and have only one unresolved case at this time. I want to 
thank Ernie Allen and all the dedicated employees and volunteers 
associated with the National Center for their help in these matters.
  The National Center serves a critical role as a clearinghouse of 
resources and information for both family members and law enforcement 
officers. They have developed a network of hotels and restaurants which 
will provide free services to parents in search of their children and 
have also developed extensive training programs. The National Center 
has trained 728 sheriffs and police chiefs from across the U.S. in 
recent years, including police chiefs from Dover, Hartford, Brattleboro 
and Winooski, Vermont, as well as members of the Vermont State Police. 
They have trained an additional 150,000 other officers in child sexual 
exploitation and the detection of missing children since 1984.
  The National Center is also a leader in reducing the number of infant 
abductions by educating nurses, security staffs and hospitals. Their 
recent seminar in Vermont, which trained 250 nurses and security 
personnel, should provide greater peace of mind to new parents in my 
home State.
  Most recently, they have expanded their role in combating the sexual 
exploitation of children by going on-line. Last year, they launched 
their ``CyberTipline'' which allows internet users to report suspicious 
activities linked to the Internet, including child pornography and the 
potential enticement of children on-line. In the second half of 1998, 
they received over 4,000 leads from the CyberTipline which resulted in 
numerous arrests. I applaud the ongoing work of the Center and hope the 
House of Representatives will promptly pass this bill so that they can 
proceed with their important activities with fewer funding concerns.
  The National Center established an international division some time 
ago and has been working to fulfil the Hague Convention on the Civil 
Aspects of International Child Abduction. Last year the National Center 
held a conference on international concerns with child abductions and 
international custody battles between separated parents from different 
countries. This week, Lady Catherine Myer will be hosting another 
important event on these matters and launching an International Centre 
for Missing and Exploited Children with the help of the First Lady, 
Hillary Rodham Clinton.
  The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act distributes funding to local 
community programs on the front lines assisting the approximately 1.3 
million children and youth each year who are homeless or have left or 
been forced from their families for a variety of reasons. These 
programs assist some of our nation's neediest children--those who lack 
a roof over their heads. Many of the beneficiaries of these programs 
have either fled or been kicked out of their family homes due to 
serious family conflicts, substance abusing parents or other problems. 
These programs assist children facing a variety of circumstances and 
provide funding for shelters and crisis intervention services, 
transitional living arrangements and outreach to teens who are living 
on the streets.
  J.C. Myers, Coordinator of the Vermont Coalition of Runaway and 
Homeless Youth Programs, noted recently in a letter to me that:

       Early interventions such as those authorized under this 
     act: the transitional living programs, crisis response and 
     family reunification services, and peer street outreach 
     programs are, in many cases, the only helping resource 
     available to runaway & homeless young people and families in 
     crisis. These services are much less costly and more 
     effective than later, more drastic interventions runaway and 
     homeless youths often eventually encounter, such as substance 
     abuse treatment and incarceration.

  Miriam Rollin, the Director of Public Policy at the National Network 
for Youth has noted:

       Because runaway and homeless youth often cross state lines, 
     there is a uniquely federal interest in addressing the needs 
     of these youth. For a quarter of a century, the federal RHYA 
     programs have helped to meet the needs of these young people, 
     prevent their involvement in criminal activity, and provide 
     them with a doorway to a safe and productive future.

  I ask unanimous consent that copies of both of their letters be 
printed in the Record at the conclusion of my statement.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (See Exhibit 1.)
  Mr. HATCH. Under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, each year each 
State is awarded a Basic Center grant for housing and crisis services 
for runaway and homeless children and their families. The funding is 
based on its juvenile population, with a minimum grant of $100,000 
currently awarded to smaller States, such as Vermont. Effective 
community-based programs around the country can also apply directly for 
the funding available for the Transitional Living Program and the 
Sexual Abuse Prevention/Street Outreach grants. The Transitional Living 
Program grants are used to provide longer term housing to homeless 
teens age 16 to 21, and to help these teenagers become more self-
sufficient. The Sexual Abuse Prevention/Street Outreach Program also 
targets teens who have engaged in or are at risk of engaging in high 
risk behaviors while living on the street.
  Vermont's Coalition for Runaway and Homeless Youth and the Spectrum 
Youth and Family Services in Burlington, Vermont, have developed very 
comprehensive and effective programs to assist both teens who are 
learning to be self-sufficient and those who are struggling to survive 
on the streets. As such, Vermont programs have been

[[Page 6831]]

successful in applying for these two specialized programs and have been 
on the forefront of developing and improving the services available to 
runaway and homeless youth across the U.S.
  The Leahy-Hatch substitute language to S. 249 that was reported from 
the Judiciary Committee is intended to recognize the important work of 
these programs in Vermont, as well as the many other programs and staff 
across the U.S. that are working effectively with runaway and homeless 
youth and their families. This substitute language preserves current 
law governing the minimum grants available for small States for the 
Basic Center grants and also preserves the current confidentiality and 
records protections for runaway and homeless youth.
  In addition, our substitute amendment reauthorizes the Runaway and 
Homeless Youth Act Rural Demonstration Projects for an additional five 
years. This program provides targeted assistance to States with rural 
juvenile populations. Programs serving runaway and homeless youth have 
found that those in rural areas are particularly difficult to reach and 
serve effectively.
  For those who do not think rural areas have significant numbers of 
runaway youth, I note that in fiscal year 1998, the Vermont Coalition 
of Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs and Spectrum Youth & Family 
Services served 1,067 young people and 1,345 family members in their 
programs throughout Vermont. This was an 8 percent increase in cases 
from fiscal year 1997. These numbers have been increasing rapidly over 
the past few years with a 175 percent increase in the number of youth 
served by the Vermont Coalition between 1992 and 1998. An area of 
special concern is the increasing number of young people who are being 
``pushed'' out of their homes--those numbers increased 263 percent 
between 1993 and 1997 in Vermont. This is in addition to the hundreds 
of children each year who find themselves homeless or who have run away 
from home.
  The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act does more than shelter these 
children in need. As the National Network for Youth has stressed, the 
Act's programs ``provide critical assistance to youth in high-risk 
situations all over the country.'' This Act also ensures that these 
children and their families have access to important services, such as 
individual, family or group counseling, alcohol and drug counseling and 
a myriad of other resources to help these young people and their 
families get back on track. As a result of this multi-pronged approach 
to helping runaway and homeless youth, the Vermont Coalition of Runaway 
and Homeless Youth was able to establish 81 percent of the youth served 
in 1998 in a ``positive living situation'' by the end of services. The 
Vermont Coalition and Spectrum Youth & Family Services should be 
applauded for their important work and I believe the best way to do 
that is to reauthorize the Runaway and Homeless Act for five more 
years, so programs like these in Vermont have some greater financial 
security in the future.
  I want to thank the many advocates who have worked with me to improve 
the bill and, in particular, the dedicated members of the Vermont 
Coalition of Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs and the National 
Network for Youth for their suggestions and assistance. Without these 
dedicated public spirited citizens these programs could not be 
successful.

                               Exhibit 1

         Vermont Coalition of Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs,
                                    Montpelier, VT, March 9, 1999.
     Hon. Patrick Leahy,
     U.S. Senator, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Leahy: Thank you very much for your efforts in 
     working for the reauthorization of the Runaway and Homeless 
     Youth Act. We believe that reauthorization of this 
     legislation is very important for runaway and homeless youths 
     and their families in Vermont, and all over the nation.
       Early interventions such as those authorized under this 
     act: the transitional living programs, crisis response and 
     family reunification services, and peer street outreach 
     programs are, in many cases, the only helping resource 
     available to runaway and homeless young people and families 
     in crisis. These services are much less costly and more 
     effective than later, more drastic interventions runaway and 
     homeless youths often eventually encounter, such as substance 
     abuse treatment and incarceration.
       The Vermont Coalition of Runaway and Homeless Youth 
     Programs supports the Leahy-Hatch substitute to S-249, the 
     Bill which passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 
     4th, 1999. We urge passage of this Bill by the full Senate, 
     and feel confident that our colleagues at the National 
     Network for Youth, and runaway and homeless youth providers 
     all over the country also support this important legislation.
       We are very grateful for the way that you and your staff 
     have worked with us to determine the needs of this vulnerable 
     population, and the way that we can best address those needs. 
     Karen Marangi, counsel for your office, has been diligent in 
     her efforts to meet with us and our youthful program 
     participants, keep us informed about your actions in 
     Committee, and use the data which we have provided to help 
     steer the best course. We commend you for your vision and 
     energy in pursuing the reauthorization of the Runaway and 
     Homeless Youth Act. Please let us know if we can be helpful 
     to you as you continue this good work.
           Sincerely,
                                                       J.C. Myers,
     VCRHYP Coordinator.
                                  ____



                                   National Network for Youth,

                                   Washington, DC, March 10, 1999.
     Senator Orrin Hatch,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.

     Senator Patrick Leahy,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Hatch and Senator Leahy: On behalf of the 
     hundreds of non-profit youth-serving organizations, youth 
     workers and young people from around the nation who 
     constitute the membership of the National Network for Youth, 
     I would like to express our deep appreciation for your 
     leadership in moving the revised Hatch/Leahy substitute 
     version of S. 249--legislation to reauthorize the Runaway and 
     Homeless Youth Act, together with the Missing Children's 
     Assistance Act--through the Senate Judiciary Committee last 
     week, and to express our hope that your continued leadership 
     on this legislation will enable it to move to swift approval 
     by the full Senate.
       The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) programs support 
     community-based efforts that constitute a vital life-line to 
     young people in high-risk situations all over the country. As 
     you know, the RHYA includes three major grant programs: the 
     Basis Center Program, which provides grants to support 
     temporary shelter for youth (under age 18) and counseling for 
     youth and their families, in order to assist them in a time 
     of crisis; the Transitional Living Program, which provides 
     grants to support longer-term (up to 18 months) shelter as 
     well as independent living services to youth (age 16-21) who 
     are unable to return home safely, in order to promote their 
     successful transition to adulthood and self-sufficiency; and 
     the Street Outreach Program, which provides grants to support 
     street-based outreach and education to runaway, homeless and 
     street youth who have been sexually abused or are at risk of 
     sexual abuse, in order to connect these most vulnerable youth 
     with services and a chance for a safe and healthy future.
       The following are a few key points about runaway and 
     homeless youth--and the programs which provide them critical 
     supports and opportunities--which you may consider as you 
     move this legislation to the Senate floor:
       Runaway and homeless youth are not running TO anything; 
     they're running FROM homes where they have experienced 
     extreme parental neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse, or 
     other situations like family violence or parental alcoholism 
     or substance abuse; some of these youth have been failed by 
     the child welfare system, and perceive the streets as 
     preferable to endless shuffling from one foster home or group 
     home to another.
       Runaway and homeless youth face numerous dangers on the 
     streets: lack of education, health care and job training 
     opportunities; increased risk of substance abuse, depression, 
     early pregnancy, and HIV infection; and the dangers of 
     physical and sexual assault from adults who prey on these 
     young people.
       The federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Act programs support 
     cost-effective community-based services for these youth, to 
     protect them from the harms of life on the streets and either 
     reunify them safely with family or find alternative 
     appropriate placements.
       Because runaway and homeless youth often cross state lines, 
     there is a uniquely federal interest in addressing the needs 
     of these youth. For a quarter of a century, the

[[Page 6832]]

     federal RHYA programs have helped to meet the needs of these 
     young people, prevent their involvement in criminal activity, 
     and provide them with a doorway to a safe and productive 
     future.
       Thank you for your hard work in reauthorizing these vital 
     programs for our nation's most vulnerable youth.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Miriam A. Rollin,
                                        Director of Public Policy.
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee 
substitute be agreed to, the bill be considered read the third time and 
passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any 
statements relating to the bill appear at this point in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The committee substitute was agreed to.
  The bill (S. 249), as amended, read the third time and passed.

                          ____________________