H.B. No. 679
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to a study on homeless youth.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 2306, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter OO to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER OO. HOMELESS YOUTH
         Sec. 2306.1101.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "homeless
  youth" means a person who is younger than 19 years of age, including
  a migratory child, as defined by Section 1309, Elementary and
  Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. Section 6399), who:
               (1)  lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime
  residence, including a person who is:
                     (A)  living in an emergency shelter;
                     (B)  abandoned in a hospital; or
                     (C
  )  awaiting foster care placement;
               (2)  has a primary nighttime residence that is a public
  or private place not designed or ordinarily used as a regular
  sleeping accommodation for humans; or
               (3)  is living in a car, park, other public space,
  abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or train station, or
  similar setting.
         Sec. 2306.1102.  STUDY ON HOMELESS YOUTH. (a)  The
  department, in conjunction with other members of the Texas
  Interagency Council for the Homeless established under Subchapter
  KK, shall conduct a study on homeless youth.
         (b)  In conducting the study, the department shall:
               (1)  collect data on the number of homeless youth in
  this state;
               (2)  examine the needs of homeless youth and the degree
  to which current programs are meeting those needs;
               (3)  identify any sources of funding that might be
  available to provide services to homeless youth; and
               (4)  develop a strategic plan establishing steps to be
  taken and timelines for reducing youth homelessness in this state.
         (c)  The department shall submit a report on the study to the
  legislature not later than December 1, 2016.  The report must
  include a summary of the information resulting from the study and
  recommendations for changes in law necessary to provide services to
  or otherwise assist homeless youth.
         (d)  This section expires September 1, 2017.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 679 was passed by the House on April
  16, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 92, Nays 50, 3 present, not
  voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
  No. 679 on May 27, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 110, Nays 33,
  2 present, not voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 679 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 24, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 20, Nays
  10.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor