HB 1820-S - DIGEST


(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 2/12/04)


Provides that a professional, or his or her designee, employed by a licensed overnight youth shelter or organization whose stated mission is to provide services to homeless or runaway youth and their families, who, without legal authorization, provides shelter to a minor and knows at the time of providing shelter that the minor is away from a lawfully prescribed residence or home without the parent's permission, shall report to the department the name of the minor and the fact that the minor has made contact with the shelter or organization. The report under this provision must be made to the department within twenty-four hours after the shelter or organization has actual knowledge that the minor is away from a lawfully prescribed residence or home without parental permission.

Provides that, if the professional, or his or her designee, indicates to the department that he or she is making the report pursuant to this act, the department shall not release information regarding the location of the child or the identity of the shelter, organization, or professional or the professional's designee for forty-eight hours from the time the department receives the report.

Provides that reports required under this act may be made by telephone or any other reasonable means.