A bill designed to help homeless youth gain access to housing, medical care, education and other services passed the House with a vote of 82-6, sending it to the Senate.
House Bill 1739, by Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa, creates the Connecting Futures Act for youth between the ages of 15 and 18. The measure would direct the state Department of Human Services, working with social service providers, to design a pilot program addressing the needs of minors who are not supported by parents or guardians and who are not in state or tribal custody. The act would not deprive a parent or legal guardian of any parental or legal authority.
