Runaway and homeless youth providers frequently confront
questions relating to their clients' legal rights and responsibilities. Such questions include clarification on issues
of confidentiality, consent for medical treatment, parents' rights (as they relate to their children residing
in certified runaway and homeless youth programs), warrants, court
orders, legal issues regarding school and transportation, and the broad concept
of emancipation.
We have seen repeated instances
in which young people are unable to access public benefits, do not receive needed medical services,
and have their confidentiality violated. Such situations generally
tend to occur because staff are unfamiliar with or have questions
regarding the laws protecting a youth's rights.
In response to
the above challenges, the Empire State Coalition of
Youth & Family Services has developed an
informational booklet which specifically addresses
the legal rights and responsibilities of runaway and
homeless youth. We have compiled some of the most
frequently asked questions and organized responses by
subject in a reader-friendly manner. This booklet is
designed to provide definitive information in
response to the legal issues programs confront most
often. Nonetheless, it should not be used as a
substitute for legal counsel, when such counsel is
warranted. (At the end of this booklet, we have
included is a listing of organizations where you can
speak with a lawyer.) Laws change, and even laws that
have been on the books for a while are subject to new
interpretations.
By making this
information readily available to programs, our aim is
to provide staff with a resource to help them become
better informed of the relevant legal issues
involving the youth they serve; thereby enabling
programs to better serve youth who seek their
assistance.
