A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to authorize the legislative Research Commission to study issues related to unaccompanied homeless youth contracting for appropriate housing options or for admission to emergency shelters and transitional living programs.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Legislative Research Commission (LRC) is authorized to study issues related to unemancipated, unaccompanied homeless youth, as defined in the McKinney‑Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. § 11434A, contracting for appropriate housing options or admission to emergency shelters and transitional programs without the consent of a parent, guardian, or custodian. The LRC may consider at least the following in its study:
(1)	Current contract requirements for homeless youth in admission to emergency shelters and transitional programs and access to their supportive services.
(2)	Barriers for unaccompanied homeless youth in obtaining adult assistance with securing housing options, including the assignment of a guardian, custodian, or court supervision.
(3)	The role of support services from the following individuals in helping unaccompanied homeless youth attain appropriate housing options:
a.	Local school administrative unit liaisons for homeless children and youths.
b.	Human services providers or public social services providers funded by the State to provide homeless children and youth social services, health services, mental or behavioral health services, or public assistant or employment services.
c.	Other mental health professionals, such as social workers.
(4)	Other State policies and approaches for addressing the difficulty of unaccompanied homeless youth in obtaining appropriate housing options, including the use of safeguards to allow unaccompanied homeless youth to contract or obtain appropriate housing without parental consent.
SECTION 2.  The Legislative Research Commission shall report the results of its study and any recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the 2015 General Assembly when it reconvenes in 2016.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.