80-5-602. Homeless youth -- Consent to shelter, care, or services by a homeless youth.
(1) As used in this section: "Care" means providing: assistance to obtain food, clothing, hygiene products, or other basic necessities; access to a bed, showering facility, or transportation; or assistance with school enrollment or attendance. "Licensed services" means a service provided by a temporary homeless youth shelter, a youth services center, or other facility that is licensed to provide the service to a homeless youth. "Service" means: youth services; child welfare or juvenile court case management or advocacy; aftercare services; or independent living skills training.
(2) A homeless youth may consent to temporary shelter, care, or licensed services if the homeless youth: is at least 15 years old; and manages the homeless youth's own financial affairs, regardless of the source of income.
(3) In determining consent under Subsection, a person may rely on the homeless youth's verbal or written statement describing the homeless youth's ability to consent to temporary shelter, care, or licensed services. (2)
(4) A person who provides shelter, care, or licensed services to a homeless youth who consents to the shelter, care, or licensed services under Subsection: (2) shall report to the division as required under Subsection; and 80-5-601(4) may provide the homeless youth a referral to temporary or permanent housing, employment resources, medical or dental providers, or counseling.