New law lets youth into shelters without parent's OK

From Judith Clark, Hawaii Youth Services Network

Youth will soon have the right to consent for admission to emergency youth shelters when their parents or guardians can’t be reached to provide consent for them thanks to the Hawaii Legislature and some hardworking Hawaii Youth Services Network members.  Senate Bill 921 passed the Hawaii Legislature in April and is waiting for the Governor’s signature to become law.

The bill grew out of the work of the Safe Shelter for Youth Work Group convened by the Office of Youth Services in 2008.  The members believed that the right to consent for shelter was a key step in increasing the safety of runaway and homeless youth.

After efforts to pass the bill in 2009 and 2010 stalled, HYSN worked with a number of determined advocates to ensure passage this year.  We worked with the Department of Human Services, the Attorney General, and staff of the House Judiciary Committee to fine tune language so that all parties could support it.

I would like to acknowledge efforts of a number of HYSN members and others whose persistent efforts will improve access to shelter and supportive services for Hawaii’s homeless young people:

• Pauline Pavao, Salvation Army Family Intervention Services
• LaVerne Bishop, Hale `Opio Kauai
• Jaque Kelley-Uyeoka, Hale Kipa
• Daryl Selman, Maui Youth and Family Services
• Jimmy Nelson, House Judiciary Committee staff
•  John Walters, Dept. of Human Services