1. A. Persons who are believed to be homeless children and youth as defined in Section 600 of Title 10 of the Oklahoma Statutes may be verified as being homeless by:

   1. 1. The director, or designee, of a homeless shelter;
   2. 2. The director, or designee, of a transitional living program;
   3. 3. The McKinney-Vento homeless liaison of a public school; or
   4. 4. A continuum of care lead agency or its designee.

2. B. Verification that a child or youth is homeless shall consist, at a minimum, of the following steps:

   1. 1. The child or youth shall be known to the person verifying his or her housing status; and

   2. 2. If verifying the status of a child or youth under eighteen (18) years of age, the person verifying shall:

      1. a. check the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) referenced in Section 151.3 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes for the name of the child or youth,
      2. b. send a letter by return receipt mail to the last-known address of the parent or legal guardian of the child or youth informing the parent or legal guardian that the person verifying is assisting the child or youth in obtaining a REAL ID Noncompliant Identification Card, which shall be valid for a period of four (4) years from the month of issuance, and

      3. c. if no response from the parent or legal guardian objecting to the child or youth obtaining a REAL ID Noncompliant Identification Card is received within fifteen (15) business days, the person may prepare written verification stating that the child or youth is homeless.

         The written verification shall be printed on the letterhead of the entity authorized to verify the housing status of the child or youth and shall be dated, signed by the person verifying, and notarized.

Laws 2024, HB 3231, c. 315, § 2, eff. November 1, 2024.