Int. No. 1700
By Council Members Johnson, Torres, Dromm, Menchaca, Mendez, Vacca, Van Bramer, Palma, Rosenthal, Levin, Salamanca, Espinal, Rose, Eugene, Reynoso, Levine and Lander
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to shelter for runaway and homeless youth
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Section 21-401 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows:
§ 21-401 Definitions. [Whenever used in] For the purposes of this chapter the following [words] terms [shall] have the following meanings:
[a. “Commissioner” shall mean] Commissioner. The term “commissioner” means the commissioner of the department of youth and community development.
[b. “Department” shall mean] Department. The term “department” means the department of youth and community development.
Homeless young adult. The term “homeless young adult” has the same meaning as provided in section 532-a of the executive law.
Homeless youth. The term “homeless youth” has the same meaning as provided in section 532-a of the executive law. For the purposes of this chapter, the term homeless youth shall also include homeless young adults.
Runaway and homeless youth crisis services program. The term “runaway and homeless youth crisis services program” has the same meaning as provided in section 532-a of the executive law.
[c. “Runaway and homeless youth services” shall mean] Runaway and homeless youth services. The term “runaway and homeless youth services” means department-administered street outreach and referral services, drop-in centers, runaway and homeless youth crisis [shelters] services programs, and transitional independent living [centers] support programs.
Runaway youth. The term “runaway youth” has the same meaning as provided in section section 532-a of the executive law.
[d. “Sexually exploited child” shall have] Sexually exploited child. The term “sexually exploited child” has the same meaning as provided in subdivision one of section 447-a of the [New York State] social services law.
Shelter services. The term “shelter services” means residential programs within runaway and homeless youth crisis services programs and transitional independent living support programs.
Transitional independent living support program. The term “transitional independent living support program” has the same meaning as provided in section 532-a of the executive law.
[e. “Youth: shall mean] Youth. The term “youth” means any person [under twenty-four] 24 years of age or younger.
Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC). The term “test assessing secondary completion (TASC)” means the New York state high school equivalency test which replaced the General Education Development (GED) as the primary pathway to a New York state high school equivalency diploma.
§ 2. Chapter 4 of title 21 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to add new section 21-404 to read as follows:
§ 21-404 Runaway and homeless reporting. a. Not later than February 1, 2018, and on or before February 1 annually thereafter, the department shall submit to the speaker of the council and post on its website annual reports regarding runaway and homeless youth. Such reports shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:
1. A description of the size and characteristics of the current population of runaway and homeless youth, to the extent known, including but not limited to gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, disabilities, and sexual exploitation.
2. A description of the service needs of the current population of runaway and homeless youth, to the extent known, including but not limited to educational assistance, TASC preparation, medical services, mental health services, services for sexually exploited children, and temporary shelter.
3. A breakdown of the dispositions of runaway and homeless youth who exited the temporary shelter system in the previous calendar year disaggregated by categories including but not limited to transitioned from a runaway and homeless youth crisis services program to a transitional independent living support program, reconnected with family, transitioned to a department of homeless services shelter, transitioned to a New York city housing authority apartment, transitioned to a private apartment, and exited to an unknown location.
4. A description of the public and private resources available to serve runaway and homeless youth including any new services established since the submission of the previous report required pursuant to this section and any existing services that will be expanded.
§ 3. Chapter 4 of title 21 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to add new section 21-405 to read as follows:
§ 21-405 Capacity. The department shall provide shelter services to all runaway and homeless youth who request such shelter from the department.
§ 4. This local law takes effect on January 1, 2018.
AV
LS #4033
8/15/17