BILL NUMBER: AB 767	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Ammiano

                        FEBRUARY 26, 2009

   An act to add Chapter 6.1 (commencing with Section 13725) to Part
3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to
homeless youth.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 767, as introduced, Ammiano. Homeless youth: counseling
services.
   Under existing law, specified counties operate pilot projects
relating to homeless youth emergency services.
   This bill would require counties to provide counseling services,
as prescribed, to homeless and at-risk youth. By imposing new duties
on counties, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Chapter 6.1 (commencing with Section 13725) is added to
Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:
      CHAPTER 6.1.  HOMELESS YOUTH COUNSELING SERVICES


   13725.  (a) A county shall provide counseling services for
homeless and at-risk youth under 26 years of age. In order to provide
a sufficient level of counseling services, a county shall provide,
at minimum, one counselor for every 100 homeless youth residing in
the county.
   (b) A counselor shall be prepared to advise and provide
information to homeless or at-risk youth regarding locally provided
services, including, but not limited to, the following services:
   (1) Shelter.
   (2) Food.
   (3) Psychological services and treatment.
   (4) Education and educational programs.
   (5) Health clinics.
   (6) Financial assistance.
   (c) In addition to services directly related to homelessness, a
counselor shall also be prepared to provide counseling services to
youths on topics sometimes associated with the issue of homelessness,
including, but not limited to, a history of drug and alcohol abuse,
a history of domestic violence, or confronting questions of personal
sexual orientation.
  SEC. 2.  If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.