Open Doors to Treatment for Teens Experiencing Homelessness: Support HB 213

by Marcie Timmerman

Homeless teens in Kentucky who are over age 16 deserve to receive mental health treatment.
They can't currently get it.
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Teens in homelessness who are separated from their parents, or disowned by their parents, are not eligible to receive mental health treatment without their parents' permission. The same parents whose behaviors or attitudes may have been reasons for the teen being homeless.

HB 213 would clearly outline that mental health professionals can provide services to teens in homelessness who are age 16 or older without parental permission. It has been referred to the Senate Health & Welfare Committee and has a real chance of passing.

Please call 1-800-372-7181 and leave a message for Senate Health & Welfare Committee to hear and pass this bill. This 2 minute phone call will help move it forward, and likely will save a life. We know for a fact they hear the bills they hear the most about. There's no opposition to this bill. Let's get it passed in 2020.