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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ''Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act of
2008''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Section 302 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5701)
is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) as paragraphs
(4), (5), and (6), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
''(3) services to such young people should be developed and
provided using a positive youth development approach that ensures a
young person a sense of--
''(A) safety and structure;
''(B) belonging and membership;
''(C) self-worth and social contribution;
''(D) independence and control over one's life; and
''(E) closeness in interpersonal relationships.''.
SEC. 3. BASIC CENTER PROGRAM.
(a) Services Provided.--Section 311 of the Runaway and Homeless
Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5711) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)(B), by striking clause (i) and
inserting the following:
''(i) safe and appropriate shelter provided for not to
exceed 21 days; and''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(2)--
(A) by striking ''(2) The'' and inserting ''(2)(A) Except
as provided in subparagraph (B), the'';
(B) by striking ''$100,000'' and inserting ''$200,000'';
(C) by striking ''$45,000'' and inserting ''$70,000''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
''(B) For fiscal years 2009 and 2010, the amount allotted under
paragraph (1) with respect to a State for a fiscal year shall be not
less than the amount allotted under paragraph (1) with respect to such
State for fiscal year 2008.
''(C) Whenever the Secretary determines that any part of the amount
allotted under paragraph (1) to a State for a fiscal year will not be
obligated before the end of the fiscal year, the Secretary shall
reallot such part to the remaining States for obligation for the fiscal
year.''.
(b) Eligibility.--Section 312(b) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth
Act (42 U.S.C. 5712(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (11), by striking ''and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (12), by striking the period and inserting '';
and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
''(13) shall develop an adequate emergency preparedness and
management plan.''.
SEC. 4. TRANSITIONAL LIVING GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Eligibility.--Section 322(a) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth
Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-2(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ''directly or indirectly'' and inserting
''by grant, agreement, or contract''; and
(B) by striking ''services'' the first place it appears and
inserting ''provide, by grant, agreement, or contract,
services,'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ''a continuous period not to
exceed 540 days, except that'' and all that follows and inserting
the following: ''a continuous period not to exceed 540 days, or in
exceptional circumstances 635 days, except that a youth in a
program under this part who has not reached 18 years of age on the
last day of the 635-day period may, in exceptional circumstances
and if otherwise qualified for the program, remain in the program
until the youth's 18th birthday;'';
(3) in paragraph (14), by striking ''and'' at the end;
(4) in paragraph (15), by striking the period and inserting '';
and''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
''(16) to develop an adequate emergency preparedness and
management plan.''.
(b) Definitions.--Section 322(c) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth
Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-2(c)) is amended by--
(1) striking ''part, the term'' and inserting the following:
''part--
''(1) the term'';
(2) striking the period and inserting ''; and''; and
(3) adding at the end thereof the following:
''(2) the term 'exceptional circumstances' means circumstances
in which a youth would benefit to an unusual extent from additional
time in the program.''.
SEC. 5. 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 subsection (b)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
''special consideration'' and inserting ''priority'';
(B) in paragraph (8)--
(i) by striking ''to health'' and inserting ''to
quality health'';
(ii) by striking ''mental health care'' and inserting
''behavioral health care''; and
(iii) by striking ''and'' at the end;
(C) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and
inserting '', including access to educational and workforce
programs to achieve outcomes such as decreasing secondary
school dropout rates, increasing rates of attaining a secondary
school diploma or its recognized equivalent, or increasing
placement and retention in postsecondary education or advanced
workforce training programs; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
''(10) providing programs, including innovative programs, that
assist youth in obtaining and maintaining safe and stable housing,
and which may include programs with supportive services that
continue after the youth complete the remainder of the programs.'';
and
(2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
''(c) In selecting among applicants for grants under subsection
(a), the Secretary shall--
''(1) give priority to applicants who have experience working
with runaway or homeless youth; and
''(2) ensure that the applicants selected--
''(A) represent diverse geographic regions of the United
States; and
''(B) carry out projects that serve diverse populations of
runaway or homeless youth.''.
SEC. 6. COORDINATING, TRAINING, RESEARCH, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.
Part D of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-21 et
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
''SEC. 345. PERIODIC ESTIMATE OF INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE OF YOUTH
HOMELESSNESS.
''(a) Periodic Estimate.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of the Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act of 2008, and at 5-year
intervals thereafter, the Secretary, in consultation with the United
States Interagency Council on Homelessness, shall prepare and submit to
the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate, and make available to
the public, a report--
''(1) by using the best quantitative and qualitative social
science research methods available, containing an estimate of the
incidence and prevalence of runaway and homeless individuals who
are not less than 13 years of age but are less than 26 years of
age; and
''(2) that includes with such estimate an assessment of the
characteristics of such individuals.
''(b) Content.--The report required by subsection (a) shall
include--
''(1) the results of conducting a survey of, and direct
interviews with, a representative sample of runaway and homeless
individuals who are not less than 13 years of age but are less than
26 years of age, to determine past and current--
''(A) socioeconomic characteristics of such individuals;
and
''(B) barriers to such individuals obtaining--
''(i) safe, quality, and affordable housing;
''(ii) comprehensive and affordable health insurance
and health services; and
''(iii) incomes, public benefits, supportive services,
and connections to caring adults; and
''(2) such other information as the Secretary determines, in
consultation with States, units of local government, and national
nongovernmental organizations concerned with homelessness, may be
useful.
''(c) Implementation.--If the Secretary enters into any contract
with a non-Federal entity for purposes of carrying out subsection (a),
such entity shall be a nongovernmental organization, or an individual,
determined by the Secretary to have appropriate expertise in
quantitative and qualitative social science research.''.
SEC. 7. SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM.
Section 351(b) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C.
5714-41(b)) is amended by inserting ''public and'' after ''priority
to''.
SEC. 8. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
Part F of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714a et
seq.) is amended by inserting after section 386 the following:
''SEC. 386A. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
''(a) Establishment of Performance Standards.--Not later than 1
year after the date of enactment of the Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act
of 2008, the Secretary shall issue rules that specify performance
standards for public and nonprofit private entities and agencies that
receive grants under sections 311, 321, and 351.
''(b) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with
representatives of public and nonprofit private entities and agencies
that receive grants under this title, including statewide and regional
nonprofit organizations (including combinations of such organizations)
that receive grants under this title, and national nonprofit
organizations concerned with youth homelessness, in developing the
performance standards required by subsection (a).
''(c) Implementation of Performance Standards.--The Secretary shall
integrate the performance standards into the processes of the
Department of Health and Human Services for grantmaking, monitoring,
and evaluation for programs under sections 311, 321, and 351.''.
SEC. 9. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE STUDY AND REPORT.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United States
shall conduct a study, including making findings and
recommendations, relating to the processes for making grants under
parts A, B, and E of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C.
5711 et seq., 5714-1 et seq., 5714-41).
(2) Subjects.--In particular, the Comptroller General shall
study--
(A) the Secretary's written responses to and other
communications with applicants who do not receive grants under
part A, B, or E of such Act, to determine if the information
provided in the responses and communications is conveyed
clearly;
(B) the content and structure of the grant application
documents, and of other associated documents (including grant
announcements), to determine if the requirements of the
applications and other associated documents are presented and
structured in a way that gives an applicant a clear
understanding of the information that the applicant must
provide in each portion of an application to successfully
complete it, and a clear understanding of the terminology used
throughout the application and other associated documents;
(C) the peer review process for applications for the
grants, including the selection of peer reviewers, the
oversight of the process by staff of the Department of Health
and Human Services, and the extent to which such staff make
funding determinations based on the comments and scores of the
peer reviewers;
(D) the typical timeframe, and the process and
responsibilities of such staff, for responding to applicants
for the grants, and the efforts made by such staff to
communicate with the applicants when funding decisions or
funding for the grants is delayed, such as when funding is
delayed due to funding of a program through appropriations made
under a continuing resolution; and
(E) the plans for implementation of, and the implementation
of, where practicable, the technical assistance and training
programs carried out under section 342 of the Runaway and
Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-22), and the effect of such
programs on the application process for the grants.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General shall prepare and submit to the
Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate a report containing the
findings and recommendations resulting from the study.
SEC. 10. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Homeless Youth.--Section 387(3) of the Runaway and Homeless
Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5732a(3)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
''The'' and all that follows through ''means'' and inserting ''The
term 'homeless', used with respect to a youth, means''; and
(2) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) in clause (i)--
(i) by striking ''not more than'' each place it appears
and inserting ''less than''; and
(ii) by inserting after ''age'' the last place it
appears the following: '', or is less than a higher maximum
age if the State where the center is located has an
applicable State or local law (including a regulation) that
permits such higher maximum age in compliance with
licensure requirements for child-and youth-serving
facilities''; and
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ''age;'' and inserting the
following: ''age and either--

''(I) less than 22 years of age; or
''(II) not less than 22 years of age, as of the
expiration of the maximum period of stay permitted
under section 322(a)(2) if such individual commences
such stay before reaching 22 years of age;''.

(b) Runaway Youth.--Section 387 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth
Act (42 U.S.C. 5732a) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7) as
paragraphs (5), (6), (7), and (8), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
''(4) Runaway youth.--The term 'runaway', used with respect to
a youth, means an individual who is less than 18 years of age and
who absents himself or herself from home or a place of legal
residence without the permission of a parent or legal guardian.''.
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 388(a) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C.
5751(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ''is authorized'' and inserting ''are
authorized'';
(B) by striking ''part E) $105,000,000 for fiscal year
2004'' and inserting ''section 345 and part E) $140,000,000 for
fiscal year 2009''; and
(C) by striking ''2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008'' and
inserting ''2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013'';
(2) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by striking ''In'' and inserting the following:
''(A) In general.--In'';
(B) by inserting ''(other than section 345)'' before the
period; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
''(B) Periodic estimate.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out section 345 such sums as may be
necessary for fiscal years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.'';
and
(3) in paragraph (4)--
(A) by striking ''is authorized'' and inserting ''are
authorized''; and
(B) by striking ''such sums as may be necessary for fiscal
years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008'' and inserting
''$25,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such sums as may be
necessary for fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013''.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.
Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to revise requirements for services provided under grants from the Secretary of Health and Human Services for centers for runaway and homeless youth and their families. Limits the length of stay in such a center to 21 days.

Increases grant minimum allotments from $100,000 to $200,000 for states and from $45,000 to $70,000 for the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Prohibits the allotted amounts for a state for FY2009-FY2010 from being less than the allotted amount for FY2008.

Requires the plan proposed by grant applicants for a runaway and homeless youth center to include an adequate emergency preparedness and management plan.

(Sec. 4) Revises requirements for transitional living programs. Specifies that shelter and services may be provided by grant, agreement, or contract (currently, directly or indirectly) to homeless youth.

Increases the maximum length of continuous stay in such programs from 540 days to 635 days, if a youth would benefit to an usual extent from additional time in the program.

Requires a transitional living program also to develop an adequate emergency preparedness and management plan.

(Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary to give priority (currently, special consideration) to grant applicants for specified research, evaluation, demonstration, and service projects regarding runaway youth and homeless youth.

Requires the Secretary to give special consideration to proposed projects relating to: (1) behavior (currently, mental) health care for runaway and homeless youth; (2) access to educational and workforce programs to achieve outcomes such as decreasing secondary school dropout rates, increasing rates of attaining a secondary school diploma (or equivalent), or increasing placement and retention in postsecondary education or advanced workforce training programs; and (3) programs, including innovative programs, that assist youth in obtaining and maintaining safe and stable housing (which may include programs with supportive services that continue after the youth completes the remainder of the programs).

Requires the Secretary to ensure that selected grant applicants: (1) represent diverse U.S. geographic regions; and (2) carry out projects that serve diverse populations of runaway or homeless youth.

(Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary to report periodically to specified congressional committees and the public: (1) estimates of the incidence and prevalence of runaway and homeless individuals between 13 to 26 years of age; and (2) an assessment of such individual's characteristics.

(Sec. 7) Requires the Secretary to give priority to public and, as under current law, nonprofit private agencies for sexual abuse prevention programs.

(Sec. 8) Requires the Secretary to establish performance standards for grant recipients.

(Sec. 9) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to specified congressional committees on the processes for making grants under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.

(Sec. 10) Redefines "homeless youth" to cover an individual seeking shelter in a runaway and homeless center who is less than a maximum age higher than 18, if the center is located in a state or locality with a child or youth-serving-facility licensure law or regulation that permits a higher maximum age.

Allows a homeless youth to participate in a transitional living program up to age 22, as of the expiration of the maximum stay permitted, if the individual commences such stay before attaining age 22.

Defines "runaway youth" as an individual under age 18 who absents himself or herself from home or place of legal residence without the permission of parents or legal guardians.

(Sec. 13) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013.