Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §4099, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 778, §2, is repealed.

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §4099-A is enacted to read:

§4099-A.__Homeless youth programs

The department shall establish homeless youth programs to provide services to youth who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and their families.__The following provisions apply to the programs.

1.__Statewide assistance.__The programs must provide statewide assistance to youth and their families in the 3 regions of the State through contracts that create partnerships of public, private and community-based organizations.__The programs must operate in conjunction with the Youth in Need of Services Pilot Program established in section 4096.

2.__Services.__The services provided by the programs must include assessments of need, safety planning and determinations of whether a youth is in imminent danger.__Optional services that a program may determine to provide, based on local need and local resources, include but are not limited to housing, education, food, medical care, mental health and substance abuse services and treatment and mediation services.

Sec. 3. Report. By March 1, 2002, the Department of Human Services shall report on the homeless youth programs established under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 4099-A to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services. The report must include an analysis of unmet needs and a recommendation for future action.

Sec. 4. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.

2001-02 2002-03

HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF

Purchased Social Services

All Other $1,000,000 $700,000

Provides funding for homeless youth programs, of which in fiscal year 2001-02 $300,000