- Introduced -

SB 1224 - This act modifies provisions relating to homeless youth and qualified minors. The term "homeless child or youth" is modified in Section 167.020, RSMo, to include those children and youth who:

-are sharing housing with other persons, living in motels, hotels, or emergency shelters, or are awaiting foster care placement;

-have a primary nighttime residence that is not designed for regular sleeping accommodations;

-are living in cars, public spaces, abandoned buildings, or similar settings; and

-are migratory.

Under current law, a minor is deemed qualified and competent if they are at least sixteen, homeless, self-supporting, and have the parent's consent. New language in Section 431.056, RSMo, defines a self-supporting minor as "surviving without the physical or financial support of the parents". In addition, the parental consent requirement is clarified to include both express and implied consent.

LORIE TOWE