'Lost Boys' find freedom in new law
 
By Amy Brennan
BYU NewsNet
 
The "Lost Boys" and other homeless youth can now take control of their lives.

Under legislation signed last week, youth who are at least 16 years old can gain legal standing in order to access key resources such as housing, education and health care. Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. signed HB 30 Tuesday, May 2, 2006 which includes the Emancipation of a Minor Act.

Homeless youth are among those who will benefit, but inspiration for the law came primarily from a group of youth known as the "Lost Boys," that have left polygamous communities.

Shannon Price, director of Diversity, a nonprofit foundation that cares for the youth, said doctrine promoted by the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints strengthened a need for this legislation.

"When Warren Jeffs came out with the new law that you had to have three wives or more to get to the highest level of celestial kingdom, they had to get rid of some of the boys," Price said. "It was more effective to blame behavior of the children than the adults."

The Lost Boys have been forced out or encouraged to leave their polygamous communities. Those choosing to stay face constant scorn from the community.

Minors coming out of such backgrounds generally lack skills needed to function in society and lack the legal rights they need to support themselves. Too often, Price said, youth use alcohol as an escape. In addition, most of the Lost Boys are undereducated for their age.

With the emancipation bill, however, the opportunity to help youth in need will increase.

Paul Murphy, spokesman for the Utah Attorney General's office, said some minors already want to start the emancipation process. Currently, these youth cannot receive many services because they lack parental approval.

"Now they can approach a judge and say 'Judge, I need your help to be emancipated,'" Murphy said.

During this process, the parents will also be able to share their side of the story.

Sponsors of the law have been working on the idea of an emancipation statute during the last few years.

Rep. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake, said some people didn't like the idea because they believed the emancipation of minors would break up families.

"But for the youth involved, their family broke up long ago," she said. "Emancipation requires thoughtful consideration."

Emancipation of a Minor Act:

The law, signed into law Tuesday, allows Utah minors 16 years or older to go through a procedure to gain legal standing. If legally emancipated, minors will have the ability to:

-Enter into contracts

-Buy and sell property

-Obtain a driver's license

-Access health care

-Take out student loans

Information courtesy of Utah Attorney General's office
 
newsnet.byu.edu
Originally published May 8, 2006
 
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