Feds Simplify Rules to Help Runaway Youth Programs
Published Date: 7/2/2026
Rule
Summary
This new rule makes life easier for groups helping runaway and homeless youth by cutting out confusing and extra rules. It affects organizations that get grants to support these kids, making the program simpler and clearer starting August 31, 2026. This change saves time and effort, so more focus can go to helping youth instead of paperwork.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Fewer Rules; Less Paperwork for Grantees
If your organization receives grants to serve runaway or homeless youth, HHS is removing duplicative and unnecessary sections from 45 CFR part 1351 to streamline the Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Program. These rescissions take effect on August 31, 2026, and are intended to save grantees time and effort so staff can focus on services instead of extra paperwork.
Key Grant Details Moved to NOFOs
HHS is removing regulatory text (for example, sections on eligibility, priorities, match, grant period, and allowable/unallowable costs) and directing those details to Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) and other grant documents. The preamble states NOFOs will describe grant periods (the NOFOs communicate a three-year period of performance with three distinct one-year budget periods) and that the federal share is 90 percent with a 10 percent non‑federal match per statute.
Conversion Therapy Funding Ban Maintained
Although HHS is removing 45 CFR 1351.16(b), the rule states that the prohibition on using RHY funds for any treatment or referral that aims to change a young person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression remains in regulation in the definitions at 45 CFR 1351.1. HHS affirms this prohibition continues to apply to RHY funds.
Performance Standards Stay in Place
HHS states that RHY program‑specific performance standards at 45 CFR 1351.30 through 1351.32 remain intact and continue to be the basis for enforcement and program monitoring. Grantees must still meet these performance standards even after the rescissions.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16414, Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System
This document withdraws a proposed rule that was published in the Federal Register on January 11, 2008. The proposed rule would have amended the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) regulations at 45 CFR 1355.40 and the appendices to Part 1355 to modify the requirements for States to collect and report data to ACF on children in out-of-home care and in subsidized adoption or guardianship arrangements with the State. This document also withdraws the provision of the 2008 proposed rule that implemented the AFCARS penalty requirements of the Adoption Promotion Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-145).
2026-11530, Employment and Training Services for Noncustodial Parents in the Child Support Program; Rescission
The government plans to cancel a recent rule that let child support agencies offer job training to noncustodial parents using federal funds. This change affects agencies and parents involved in the child support program and could shift how support services are funded and delivered. Comments on this proposal are open until August 10, 2026, so folks have time to weigh in before it’s final.
2026-09383, Restoring Flexibility To Support Head Start Program Access
The government wants to give Head Start programs more freedom by removing some strict rules about staff wages and benefits. This change aims to save over $2 billion and help programs serve more kids better. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by June 11, 2026!
2026-06632, Work Participation Rate Calculation Changes: Recalibration of the Caseload Reduction Credit and Prohibition of Small Checks in Work Participation Rate Calculation
The government is updating how it measures work participation for families getting help through TANF. They’re changing the base year for counting caseload drops from 2005 to 2015 and won’t count tiny monthly payments under $35 in work rate calculations. These changes, required by a 2023 law, affect states and could impact funding starting soon, so everyone should pay attention and share their thoughts by May 6, 2026.
2026-16392, Announcement of the Intent To Award Sole-Source Awards to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands
The ACF, OHS announces the intent to award two sole-source grants in the total amount of up to $7,200,000, or $3,600,000 each, to the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) to support the establishment and provision of Early Head Start (EHS) and/or Head Start Preschool (HSP) services. These awards are made pursuant to new statutory authority and recent appropriations providing $8 million to extend Head Start eligibility and services in the Freely Associated States, as authorized under the Compacts of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024 (Division G, Title II of Public Law 118-42), and the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
2026-16134, Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs
This NPRM proposes to rescind and replace the Head Start Program Performance Standards (Performance Standards), last revised in 2024. The proposed Performance Standards would significantly reduce Federal bureaucratic burden on programs; defer to State policies wherever possible; return substantial local control to Head Start agencies delivering the services and to parents as the primary caregivers and decision-makers for their children; reduce unnecessary duplication of Head Start regulations with Federal statute and other regulations; and emphasize the critical role of health, nutrition, and physical exercise for young children.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-13450, Increasing Flexibility on Disclosure of Airline Ancillary Fees
The Department of Transportation is rolling back its 2024 rule about how airlines must share extra fees, like baggage or seat upgrades, with travelers. This change affects airlines and passengers by returning to the older 2011 rules for fee disclosure starting July 2, 2026. It means airlines have more flexibility in how they show these fees, and travelers might see less detailed info for now.
Next: 2026-13472, Establishment of Class E Airspace; Jewett, TX
Starting October 29, 2026, the FAA is creating new Class E airspace around Hub Field in Jewett, Texas, to help pilots use new instrument flight procedures safely. This change mainly affects pilots flying in and out of Jewett, making flying safer and smoother without extra costs or delays. So, if you’re a pilot or involved in local aviation, get ready for clearer skies and better guidance!