4 Troubled Teens Blog

Representative Edna Brown (D., Toledo) recently introduced a bill to the Ohio House of Representatives which expands the protection offered to teens that are or have been in an abusive dating relationship. House Bill 247 was approved on Wednesday and is now headed to the Senate for consideration.

"Ms. Brown's bill... expands the list of allegations that could allow an alleged victim to seek protection to include felonious assault, aggravated assault, menacing, aggravated menacing, menacing by stalking, or a sexually oriented offense or its equivalent within a dating relationship."

The bill also allows foster parents to request protection orders on behalf of a teen that is in their care. Source: Toledo Blade

Labels: violence, dating, legislation

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

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, runaways, legislation

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

In the next legislative session, beginning January 2008, Indiana representatives will address the plight of the state's young homeless population. Their first step: determine how many young people are currently living on the streets.

"'We know they exist, because they are showing up at our doors, and they're calling us,' said Cheryl Hall-Russell, chief executive officer of the Indiana Youth Services Association. But estimates of runaway and homeless youths in Indiana vary widely, from 10,000 to three times that many."

Proposals expected to be introduced in the 2008 legislative session would make the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority responsible for making more shelters and services available to homeless youth. Other proposals would relax rules governing age restrictions and notifications of guardians when young people seek help at shelters.

Labels: homelessness, legislation

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments