SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 70

(By  Senators Azinger, Beach, Boley, Clements, Grady, Plymale, Roberts, Romano, Stollings, Unger, and Rucker)

[Originating in the Committee on Education; reported on April 6, 2021]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study and examine the population of children experiencing homelessness, as defined by McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, and the services provided to those children.  

Whereas, “Children experiencing homelessness” is defined as a child who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.  In accordance with McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as amended by the Every Student Success Act, a child experiencing homelessness includes children: (i) Who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or awaiting foster care placement; (ii) children who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; (iii) children who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; (iv) migratory children; and (v) children not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian;  and

Whereas, Children experiencing homelessness are at greater risk of entering the child welfare system or juvenile justice system; being victims of sex trafficking; suffering from mental health and behavioral health issues; and experiencing significant disruptions in their education; and

Whereas, Both the West Virginia Department of Education and West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources provide services to this vulnerable population, which are funded by both state and federal funds; and

Whereas, Coordinating the services provided by the West Virginia Department of Education and West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources will ensure that all children experiencing homelessness will be served and will expose any gaps or barriers in providing such services, if any; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study and examine the population of children experiencing homelessness, as defined by McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, and the services provided to those children; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the examination at least include requesting a joint report from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and the West Virginia Department of Education on potential methods of ensuring that all county boards of education are using the correct definition of children experiencing homelessness when identifying these children; the services provided to homeless children by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and West Virginia Department of Education; any identified service gaps or barriers; and any recommendations for statutory changes needed to overcome the service gaps or barriers, if necessary; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2022, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report, and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.