Maine Revised Statutes Title 22. Health and Welfare § 4099-D. Definitions

1. Homeless youth. “Homeless youth” means a person 21 years of age or younger who is unaccompanied by a parent or guardian and is without shelter where appropriate care and supervision are available, whose parent or legal guardian is unable or unwilling to provide shelter and care or who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. “Homeless youth” does not include a person incarcerated or otherwise detained under federal or state law.

2. Fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. “Fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence” means a dwelling at which a person resides on a regular basis that adequately provides safe shelter. “Fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence” does not include a publicly or privately operated institutional shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations; transitional housing; a temporary placement with a peer, friend or family member who has not offered a permanent residence, residential lease or temporary lodging for more than 30 days; or a public or private place not designed for, nor ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.

3. Runaway. “Runaway” means an unmarried child under 18 years of age who is absent from the home of a parent or guardian or other lawful placement without the consent of the parent, guardian or lawful custodian.