McGee bill would help teens seek emancipation

Teenagers on the streets who have been abandoned by their parents or who have fled abusive homes are living in the cold, scary world of adults but remain treated like juveniles by the system.

Although forced to fend for themselves, they can't legally get a root canal, sign a rental agreement or enjoy the authority to buy an old clunker to get around.

Rep. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake, wants to create a legal avenue for teenagers 16 and older to seek emancipation from a juvenile court judge, provided certain provisions are met.

Her proposal, heard during a Wednesday meeting of the Legislature's Judiciary Interim Committee, requires the teenager to be capable of living on his own and the ability to manage his own financial affairs.

In return, the emancipated minor could enter into contracts, buy or sell property, borrow money for education and obtain health care without parental consent.

The effort is intended to open a door of opportunities for teenagers who already are on their own but stymied by the inability to access services because of their age, McGee said.

While judges already enjoy the discretion to grant such a designation, McGee said it is seldom pursued by the judiciary because there are no clear guidelines in place.

A needs assessment study done in conjunction with Volunteers of America shows that of the more than 1,000 homeless teenagers on the streets, 21 percent of the males have engaged in prostitution while 20 percent of the entire population have stayed in relationships where sex is bartered for something in return.

"They are engaging in survival sex and have difficulty making it because they can't access services," said Melissa Larsen.

"The population we work with refer to themselves as throw-away kids," said Jeff St. Romaine, the organization's executive director. "This is not a theoretical thing. We're talking about teenagers living in limbo until they turn 18."

Certain lawmakers, however, worried about the potential for ungovernable teenagers using the petition as a way to escape family responsibility.

Rep. Eric Hutchings, R-Kearns, said the proposal could give "completely belligerent problem-causing young people the ability" to cause havoc in society without reaping the consequences.