State Policy on Child and Youth Homelessness: 2024 Q2 Update

In California, John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) and the National Youth Law Center (NYLC) have been leading advocacy to increase resources to better identify and serve PreK-12 students experiencing homelessness. 

• The Senate is considering AB 2137, which requires LEAs to consider the needs of students experiencing homelessness by requiring consultation with the homeless student liaison during the development of the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).  LEAs that identify less than 10 percent of their low-income students as homeless would be required to describe the actions they have taken, or will take, to implement California’s required protocol for identifying homeless students. AB 2137 would also expand the ability of Foster Youth Services Coordinating Programs (FYSCPs), located in each County Office of Education, to provide direct student support to students in foster care, and help ensure foster youth are aware of financial aid and postsecondary options.

The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) and other advocates in Illinois are celebrating the passage of HB 5407 which amends the Education for Homeless Children Act, Illinois’ state law providing educational protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness. If the legislature provides an appropriation to school districts under this program, those funds must be awarded based on the percentage of students experiencing homelessness, and may be used in a variety of ways, including transportation, rental assistance, and housing stability case management. Unfortunately, the bill did not come with an appropriation. It has been 15 years since the state made an appropriation through the Education for Homeless Children Act. CCH and allies will continue to advocate for dedicated funding.

Legislators in New Jersey continue efforts to address the challenges of adequately funding the transportation of students experiencing homelessness. A 4545 and its companion, S 3537, were introduced in June, and would require the state to reimburse school districts for expenses that exceed the average in-district per pupil cost for transporting students. These bills represent the second attempt this session by the New Jersey legislature (A 3658, also providing reimbursement to districts, was introduced earlier this year) to address the transportation costs of students experiencing homelessness. 

Unfortunately, legislation introduced to increase resources for students experiencing homelessness in Missouri (SB 967) New Hampshire (HB 1199), New York (A 4338), and Oregon (HB 4079), did not advance this year.

The “Improving Employment and Education Outcomes for Homeless Youth Act” has become law in Oklahoma. HB 3231 was signed by the governor in May. It creates a certification process for identifying students experiencing homelessness, and allows them to obtain a Real ID non-compliant state identification card at no cost, without the signature of a parent.  

SchoolHouse Connection has been collaborating with a group of advocates in Pennsylvania on a package of bills to help youth experiencing homelessness get more support into higher education and through to graduation, along with improving access to vital documents. The bill that has gained the most traction so far is HB 127, which would waive driver’s license fees for youth experiencing homelessness. The legislation passed in the House in early July and now awaits a vote in the Senate.  SHC joined partners at the National Network for Youth, the Homeless Children’s Education Fund, the American Bar Association’s Commission on Homelessness and Poverty, Western PA Continuum of Care, to build awareness for youth homelessness across Pennsylvania, engage legislators and recruit more allies into the advocacy. The coalition continues engaging senators with the hope of getting HB 127 passed by the fall.

In California, JBAY, uAspire and other advocates have done an admirable job of pushing for stronger FAFSA completion guidelines for the state. AB 2165 would require school districts to ensure a guidance counselor to meet with students and requires LEAs to post data related to the number of students exempted from the requirement.

SHC joined advocates like the Michigan College Access Network, the Detroit College Access Network, and others in supporting SB 463, which has passed in Michigan’s Senate and is currently being considered by the House Education Committee. The bill is the only one in the U.S. this session that includes an amendment SHC recommended that requires school districts to certify compliance with the McKinney-Vento Act provisions directing homeless liaisons to inform unaccompanied youth of their status as independent students for the FAFSA, and provide information to schools on the ability of unaccompanied youth and former foster care youth on to complete the FAFSA as independent students. 

Heading into the fall, the work to improve access to health care will continue in earnest. SHC is partnering with Michigan Network for Youth and Families, Michigan’s Children and other advocates on HB 4087, which allows youth experiencing homelessness to get the care they need by allowing unaccompanied minors to consent to their own medical care and treatment. The bill remains under review of the Committee on Families, Children and Seniors. 

In California, AB 2343, would allow certain CalWORKs child care programs to provide enhanced support and navigation services to child care recipients experiencing homelessness, escaping domestic violence, or both. The expanded support and navigation services could be provided in partnership with homeless service agencies, domestic violence agencies, or supportive housing. The legislation has advanced to the Senate floor.

In New York, S 4079 would help incentivize child care services for families experiencing homelessness by establishing a higher pay rate for child care providers who serve them. Unfortunately, this legislation did not advance prior to the close of the 2024 session.