The Indiana House has passed a bill aimed at providing real help for homeless and runaway teenagers. The legislature also requires the state Housing and Community Development Authority to try and count the number of homeless teens in the state.

"House Bill 1165 does several things: Lifts the legal and regulatory barriers preventing homeless shelters and food pantries from assisting unaccompanied 16- and 17-year olds, extends the deadline that an emergency shelter has to notify a parent or legal guardian if a homeless teen shows up at its door. Previously it was 24 hours; now the notification time is 72 hours."

In addition, the bill allows kids in foster care to stay in the foster care system until they're 21, as long as they have a job or are improving their education. Read more at CourierPress.com.

Labels: homelessness, legislation, runaways