U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on Sept. 21 introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill to provide states with more federal resources to help prevent trafficking of homeless and runaway youth and to increase support services for this at-risk population.
“Our bipartisan bill would support those young people who run away, are forced out of their homes, or are disconnected from their families,” Sen. Collins said. “A caring and safe place to sleep, eat, grow, study, and develop is critical for all young people. The programs reauthorized and modernized through this legislation help extend those basic services to the most vulnerable youth in our communities.”
Sen. Collins cosponsored the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act, S. 4916, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), while Rep. Bacon cosponsored his chamber’s version, H.R. 8948, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY). The bill would increase the authorization of appropriations to $300 million and double the minimum grant allocation provided to small states from $100,000 to $200,000.
If enacted, the measure also would reauthorize the landmark Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, which became law in 1974 to provide nationwide support to address youth and young adult homelessness, and expand trafficking protections, according to a bill summary provide by the lawmakers.
“The pandemic increased the number of homeless and runaway youths, who have become more susceptible to trafficking, so we need to increase our federal efforts to assist them,” said Rep. Bacon. “Our bill will provide agencies with the means to support youth who are in vulnerable positions and give them resources to address these problems.”
Additionally, the bill would authorize funding for state and local programs to help provide transitional housing, street outreach, and crisis intervention programs, the summary says, and create a new Prevention Services Program that would make additional resources available to organizations providing counseling, mediation, and other services aimed at preventing youth from running away or becoming homeless.
“We must uphold our nation’s responsibility to combat youth homelessness in every way possible and ensure that our young people always have access to a safe and secure place to call home,” said Rep. Yarmuth.
“Every child has a basic right to feel safe and secure, and reducing youth homelessness is a key part of that equation,” added Sen. Leahy.
The legislation is supported by the National Network for Youth.