S 2560 ISCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To create the income security conditions and family supports needed to ensure permanency for the Nation's unaccompanied youth, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

January 28, 2008

Mr. KERRY (for himself and Mrs. MURRAY) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To create the income security conditions and family supports needed to ensure permanency for the Nation's unaccompanied youth, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; ETC.

(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the `Reconnecting Youth to Prevent Homelessness Act of 2007'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Table of Contents-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title; etc.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--PREVENTION OF UNACCOMPANIED SITUATIONS AMONG CHILD WELFARE GROUPS

Sec. 101. Curtailment of involuntary separation of children from their families.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 102. Unaccompanied youth access to the child welfare system.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 103. Discharge from child welfare system.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--EXTENSION OF CHILD WELFARE SERVICES TO OLDER YOUTH

Sec. 201. Eligibility for foster care maintenance payments and adoption assistance payments through age 20.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 202. Improvements to John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--YOUNG FAMILY CONCERNS

Sec. 301. TANF State plan amendment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 302. Adult-supervised living arrangements.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 303. Suspension of time limit for young adult parent involved in education or training.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 304. Transitional compliance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 305. Sanction protections for minor parents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 306. Teen parent study and report.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--WORK OPPORTUNITIES

Sec. 401. Inclusion of homeless youth as qualified population for Work Opportunity Credit.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--PREVENTION OF UNACCOMPANIED SITUATIONS AMONG CHILD WELFARE GROUPS

SEC. 101. CURTAILMENT OF INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION OF CHILDREN FROM THEIR FAMILIES.

Section 471(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 671(a)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking `and' at the end of paragraph (26);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (27) and inserting `; and'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(28) provides that the State shall have in effect such laws and procedures as are necessary to ensure that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) a child may not be placed in foster care under the responsibility of the State solely because the family with which the child is living is homeless (as defined in paragraph (2) of section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a)) or living in substandard housing (as defined in section 204(b)(11) of the National Housing Act) or a dwelling unit that is experiencing severe physical problems (as defined in subparagraph (F) of such section); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) the State will work with the family and State housing authorities to secure permanent housing for any family that includes a minor child and is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 102. GAO REPORT ON UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH ACCESS TO THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM.

Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate on the policies and practices of States regarding access to child welfare services (including services related to foster care and adoption) that are financed pursuant to part B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) by children who have attained 13 years of age and that considers the use of runaway and homeless situations as risk assessment factors for determining the appropriateness of placement in the child welfare system. Such report shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) an inventory of such policies and practices;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) an assessment of the effectiveness of such policies and practices; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) recommendations for such Federal or State legislation or administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 103. DISCHARGE FROM CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM.

(a) State Plans Required To Describe State Policies and Procedures Regarding Runaway or Missing Foster Children- Section 471(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 671(a)), as amended by section 101, is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking `and' at the end of paragraph (27);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (28) and inserting `; and'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(29) describes the written policies and procedures of the State that are designed to reduce the incidence of children missing or running away from foster care, and to locate and return such children to foster placements.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Judicial Review of Permanency Plan for Child Leaving Foster Care- Section 475(5)(C) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 675(5)(C)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking `and (iii)' and inserting `(iii)'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: `; and (iv) procedural safeguards shall be applied to assure that the final permanency hearing regarding the transition of the child from foster care to a planned, permanent living arrangement or independent living is held in a family or juvenile court or another court (including a tribal court) of competent jurisdiction;'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Review of Steps Taken To Ensure Appropriate Housing for Children Leaving Foster Care- Section 475(5)(C)(iii) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 675(5)(C)(iii)) is amended by inserting `, and reviews all documentation of the efforts to secure a permanent living arrangement for the child upon emancipation from foster care' before `; and'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Modification of Case Plan Requirements- Section 475(1)(D) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 675(1)(D)) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) Where appropriate, for a child who has attained 14 years of age (and, at State option, any other child), a written description of the programs and services that will facilitate the transition of the child from foster care to independent living, including a discussion of the appropriateness of the services that have been provided to the child under the plan. The plan for such child shall also include documentation of the steps the agency is taking to ensure a permanent placement with a family or other adult connection for the child, and a permanent living arrangement. In the case of a child who has attained 17 years of age or with a permanency goal of emancipation, the plan shall include documentation of the child's permanent living arrangement upon emancipation.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--EXTENSION OF CHILD WELFARE SERVICES TO OLDER YOUTH

SEC. 201. ELIGIBILITY FOR FOSTER CARE MAINTENANCE PAYMENTS AND ADOPTION ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS THROUGH AGE 20.

(a) Foster Care Maintenance Payments- Section 472 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 672) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (a)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) ELIGIBILITY- Each State with a plan approved under this part shall make foster care maintenance payments on behalf of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) each child who has been removed from the home of a relative specified in section 406(a) (as in effect on July 16, 1996) into foster care if the removal and foster care placement met, and the placement continues to meet, the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) each child who is an individual described in subsection (j)(2) of this section who has entered foster care under the responsibility of the State if the foster care placement met and continues to meet the requirements of paragraph (3) of this subsection.';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in the heading of paragraph (2), by inserting `APPLICABLE TO MINORS' after `REQUIREMENTS'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) FOSTER CARE PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO CHILDREN WHO HAVE ATTAINED THE AGE OF MAJORITY- The foster care placement of a child who is an individual described in subsection (j)(2) meets the requirements of this paragraph if--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) the foster care placement is in accordance with a voluntary placement agreement entered into by the individual;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) the individual's placement and care meet the requirement of paragraph (2)(B) of this subsection; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C)(i) the individual has been placed in a foster family home, child-care institution, or dwelling described in subsection (b)(3)(C); orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) the individual has secured a dwelling described in subsection (b)(3)(D).';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subsection (b)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking `or' at the end of paragraph (1);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (2) and inserting `, or'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) in the case of a child who is an individual described in subsection (j)(2)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) in a home described in paragraph (1), in accordance with the payment rules set forth in paragraph (1);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) in an institution described in paragraph (2), in accordance with the payment rules set forth in paragraph (2);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) in a dwelling operated by an agency that provides social services to children and their families which supplements, supports, or substitutes parental care and supervision for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and that meets such standards for licensure or approval as are established by the State for the provision of the services, whether the payments therefor are made to the agency or directly to the individual; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) in housing rented or leased by the individual.';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in subsection (e), by inserting `minor' before `child who';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) in subsection (f)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by striking `a minor' and inserting `a child'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by striking `the minor' and inserting `the child (or, if the child has attained 18 years of age, the child himself or herself)'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (2)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by striking `a minor child' and inserting `a child (or, if the child has attained 18 years of age, the child himself or herself)'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by inserting `(if the child is a minor)' after `obligations of the parents or guardians'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) by adding at the end the following new subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(j) In this section, the term `child' means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) a minor child; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) an individual who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) has not attained 21 years of age; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) has been emancipated from foster care under the responsibility of the State by reason of attaining the age of majority.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Adoption Assistance Payments-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Section 473(a)(1)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 673(a)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting `who have not attained 21 years of age' after `special needs'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 473(a)(4)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 673(a)(4)(A)) is amended by striking `the age of eighteen' and all that follows through `twenty-one' and inserting `21 years of age'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Conforming Amendment- Section 474(a)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 674(a)(1)) is amended by striking `under section 472 for children in foster family homes or child-care institutions' and inserting `in accordance with section 472'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 202. IMPROVEMENTS TO JOHN H. CHAFEE FOSTER CARE INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM.

(a) Increase in Annual Authorization Level- Section 477(h)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677(h)(1)) is amended by striking `$140,000,000' and inserting `$200,000,000'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Expansion of Eligibility for Services- Section 477 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 677) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (a)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (1), by striking `18' and inserting `14'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (5), by striking `between 18 and 21' and inserting `who have attained 18 years of age, and who have not attained 25 years of age';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in each of subsections (b)(3)(A) and (b)(3)(B), by striking `21' and inserting `25';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in subsection (i)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (2), by striking `youths adopted from foster care after attaining age 16' and inserting `youths in or exiting from foster care after attaining 14 years of age'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking paragraph (3) and redesignating paragraphs (4) through (6) as paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Authority To Use Program Funds To Provide Independent Living Services and Education and Training Vouchers for Children Who Exit Foster Care to Guardianship or Adoption After Age 14-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES- Section 477(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 677(a)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking `and' at the end of paragraph (5);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (6) and inserting `; and'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(7) to provide the services referred to in this subsection to children who, after attaining 14 years of age, have left foster care for kinship guardianship or adoption.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) EDUCATION AND TRAINING VOUCHERS- Section 477(i)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 677(i)(2)) is amended by striking `from foster care after attaining age 16' and inserting `or entering kinship guardianship from foster care after attaining 14 years of age'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Eligibility of Private Service Providers for Funds- Section 477(b)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 677(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(G) Distribute funds provided to the State under this section among a diverse range of qualified providers of services that are private entities, and ensure that the entities have equal opportunity to receive the funds.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Expansion of Program Evaluations- Section 477(g)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 677(g)(1)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in the first sentence, by inserting `, and of model programs that focus on improving outcomes for youth aging out of care in the areas of education, employment, personal development, and housing' after `significance';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in the second sentence, by striking `and personal development' and inserting `mental and physical health, personal development, and housing, and on the use of room and board services and how the use of the services improve housing outcomes for youth'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in the third sentence, by inserting `, where practicable,' before `random assignment'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Improving Awareness of Available Services-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY- Section 477 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 677) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(j) Distribution of Information About Other Related Programs- To improve access to the array of services available to youth transitioning out of foster care and assist States in leveraging available resources, the Secretary shall provide for the efficient distribution to States and local areas of information about Federal programs, other than the program established by this section, that may assist youth in their transition to self-sufficiency and provide guidance on how to access services under the programs.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DUTIES OF THE STATE- Section 477(b)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 677(b)(3)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (H) through (J) as subparagraphs (I) through (K), respectively; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(G) A certification by the chief executive officer that, when or before a child leaves foster care under the responsibility of the State, the State will inform the child of the full range of available financial, housing, counseling, health, public benefit employment, and education services, and other appropriate support and services for which the child is eligible.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--YOUNG FAMILY CONCERNS

SEC. 301. TANF STATE PLAN AMENDMENT.

Section 402(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(1)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following new clause:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(vii) Identify the education and training, living arrangement, and other services needs of individuals described in section 408(a)(5)(B)(ii) who are potentially eligible to receive assistance under the State program funded under this part and establish policies, procedures, and strategies to address the needs.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 302. ADULT-SUPERVISED LIVING ARRANGEMENTS.

Section 408(a)(5)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)(5)(B)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) PROVISION OF ADULT-SUPERVISED LIVING ARRANGEMENT- In the case of an individual who is described in clause (ii), the State agency referred to in section 402(a)(4) shall provide or ensure the provision of a second chance home, maternity group home, transitional living youth project, or other appropriate adult-supervised supportive living arrangement, taking into consideration the needs, concerns, and wishes of the individual, unless the State agency determines that the individual's current living arrangement is appropriate, and therefore, shall require that the individual and the minor child referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii)(II) reside in such living arrangement as a condition of the continued receipt of assistance under the State program funded under this part attributable to funds provided by the Federal Government (or in an alternative appropriate arrangement, should circumstances change and the current arrangement cease to be appropriate).';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in clause (ii)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by redesignating subclauses (III) and (IV) as subclauses (V) and (VI), respectively; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting after subclause (II) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(III) the individual is a homeless youth;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(IV) the individual is a street youth;';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (vi) and inserting after clause (ii) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) DISCLOSURE OF ADULT-SUPERVISED LIVING ARRANGEMENT OPTIONS TO INDIVIDUAL- The State agency shall ensure that individuals described in subparagraph (A)(ii) who are applicants or recipients of assistance are fully informed of all adult-supervised living arrangement options that satisfy the requirement of this subsection, and provide the individual the opportunity to request a specific adult-supervised living arrangement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iv) DETERMINATION OF ADULT-SUPERVISED LIVING ARRANGEMENT- In determining the appropriateness of the individual's current living arrangement in clause (i) and considering the individual's request for a specific adult-supervised living arrangement in clause (iii), the State agency shall provide a written explanation of the determination, including a statement regarding the right to appeal the determination under clause (v), to the individual, if the determination is other than the adult-supervised living arrangement requested by the individual.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(v) RIGHT TO APPEAL ADULT-SUPERVISED LIVING ARRANGEMENT- If the State agency's determination of appropriate adult-supervised living arrangement in clause (i) is other than the adult-supervised living arrangement requested by the individual in clause (iii), the individual shall have a right to appeal the State agency's decision through appeal and dispute resolution mechanisms available in the State.'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(vi) DEFINITIONS- In this subparagraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) TRANSITIONAL LIVING YOUTH PROJECT- The term `transitional living youth project' has the same meaning as provided in section 387(6) of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) HOMELESS YOUTH- The term `homeless youth' has the same meaning as provided in section 387(3) of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(III) STREET YOUTH- The term `street youth' has the same meaning as provided in section 387(5) of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 303. SUSPENSION OF TIME LIMIT FOR YOUNG ADULT PARENT INVOLVED IN EDUCATION OR TRAINING.

Section 408(a)(7)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)(7)(B)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in the heading, by striking `MINOR CHILD EXCEPTION' and inserting `AGE EXCEPTIONS'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking clauses (i) and (ii) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) a minor child, and not the head of a household or married to the head of a household; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) was pregnant or a parent, and--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) had not attained 20 years of age, and was meeting all program requirements relating to education, training and living arrangements; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) had attained 20 but not 21 years of age, and was scheduled to complete all program requirements relating to education or training.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 304. TRANSITIONAL COMPLIANCE.

Section 408(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (4), by striking `if' and all that follows and inserting `if--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) the individual does not participate in--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) educational activities directed toward the attainment of a high school diploma or its equivalent; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) an alternative educational or training program that has been approved by the State; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) 91 days have elapsed since the State has notified the individual that the individual is in violation of this paragraph.'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in paragraph (5)(A)(i), by inserting `, and 91 days have elapsed since the State has notified the individual that the individual is in violation of this paragraph' before the period.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 305. SANCTION PROTECTIONS FOR MINOR PARENTS.

Section 408(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(12) A State to which a grant is made under section 403 of this Act shall not impose a sanction on a recipient of assistance under the State program funded under this part who is an individual described in paragraph (4) or (5)(B)(ii) of this subsection and whose household includes a minor who has received assistance under the State program funded under this part attributable to funds provided by the Federal Government or under the food stamp program, as defined in section 3(h) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, unless the State has established procedures that help recipients of assistance under the State program funded under this part understand, avoid, or end sanctions, and has applied the procedures to the recipient.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 306. TEEN PARENT STUDY AND REPORT.

Section 413 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 613) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(k) Teen Parent Study and Report-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) STUDY OF TANF RECIPIENTS- The Secretary shall conduct a study of recipients of assistance under State programs funded under this part who are parents and have not attained 20 years of age to determine the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) Whether State data on the number of such recipients is accurately reflected in Federal data, including an examination of the extent to which such recipients who are members of a family are not reflected in the data, and an examination of the extent to which Federal estimation methods do not reflect the number of such recipients in a State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) What assessment procedures are utilized with such recipients, and whether there appear to be best practices that consider such issues as whether the recipient has an educational barrier such as a learning disability or mental health problem.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) Whether localities appear to have adequate and appropriate services that meet the needs of such recipients in areas such as infant care, education, training, and mental health, for services such as appropriate housing, mental health, and alternative education, whether staff assist teen parents in researching and locating such services including an appropriate living arrangement, and the extent to which such recipients who have not completed high school or the equivalent are encouraged to engage in education or work.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) How State rules providing that, in determining the eligibility of such recipients for such assistance, the income of the recipient is deemed to include the income of any parents with whom such recipient is living appear to have affected the extent to which such recipients who are members of a family with income less than 200 percent of the poverty line (as defined in section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, including any revision required by such section, applicable to a family of the size involved) are able to participate in State programs funded under this part.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) Demographic information such as--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) the age of such recipients;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) the amount of time such recipients received such assistance in a given year;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) the number of children that such recipients have;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iv) school attainment by such recipients, by age;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(v) the employment status of such recipients, such as whether a recipient has ever worked or has worked while in school;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(vi) the child care arrangements of such recipients; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(vii) the living arrangements of such recipients.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) STUDY OF LOW-INCOME TEEN PARENTS WHO ARE NOT TANF RECIPIENTS- The Secretary shall conduct a study of a representative sample of low-income (as determined by the Secretary) teen parents who are not recipients of assistance under a State program funded under this part, to determine the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) Whether the teen parent sought to apply for such assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) Whether a teen parent who indicated to a State a desire to apply for such assistance received an application for such assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) Whether a teen parent who applied for such assistance was subsequently contacted by the State agency responsible for operating a State program funded under this part.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) REPORT TO CONGRESS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress that contains the findings of the studies required by this subsection and recommendations regarding such issues as how to improve data reporting, State plans, State `best practice' information sharing, and assessments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) ADVISORY GROUP- The Secretary shall establish an advisory group consisting of representatives from organizations that work with parents who have not attained 20 years of age, to provide advice to the Secretary on questions relating to such parents that should be investigated and to provide comments to accompany the recommendations contained in the report under subparagraph (A).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--WORK OPPORTUNITIES

SEC. 401. INCLUSION OF HOMELESS YOUTH AS QUALIFIED POPULATION FOR WORK OPPORTUNITY CREDIT.

(a) In General- Paragraph (1) of section 51(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking `or' at the end of subparagraph (H), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (I) and inserting `, or', and adding at the end the following new subparagraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(J) a qualified homeless youth.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Qualified Homeless Youth- Subsection (d) of section 51 of such Code is amended by redesignating paragraphs (11) through (13) as paragraphs (12) through (14), respectively, and by inserting after paragraph (10) the following new paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(11) QUALIFIED HOMELESS YOUTH- The term `qualified homeless youth' means any individual who is certified by the designated local agency--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) as having attained age 16 but not age 25 on the hiring date; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) as being described in paragraph (2) of section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a), as in effect on the date of the enactment of this paragraph, on the hiring date.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to individuals who begin work for the employer after the date of the enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink