HLS 15RS-3147 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 175
BY REPRESENTATIVE JEFFERSON
CORRECTIONS: Requests the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to develop a
work release program for persons convicted of offenses involving the failure to pay
child support
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request that the Department of Public Safety and Corrections make
3 recommendations for the development of a work release program which would be
4 suited for individuals convicted of offenses involving the failure to pay child support
5 in order to facilitate employment and the fulfillment of child support obligations, and
6 make recommendations to the Louisiana Legislature prior to the convening of the
7 2016 Regular Session.
8 WHEREAS, the obligation to support children is one of the most fundamental and
9basic obligations; and
10 WHEREAS, R.S. 9:315 provides, in part, that "child support is a continuous
11obligation of both parents" and that "children are entitled to share in the current income of
12both parents"; and
13 WHEREAS, Louisiana law provides for the awarding and collecting of child support
14obligations to support Louisiana children; and
15 WHEREAS, the failure to pay a child support obligation may result in criminal
16prosecution through either criminal neglect of family or the failure to pay a child support
17obligation, and can result in incarceration of individuals who are convicted of those offenses;
18and
19 WHEREAS, incarceration often results in a person having no opportunity to obtain
20necessary funds and further perpetuates the failure to pay child support; and
Page 1 of 2 HLS 15RS-3147 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 175
1 WHEREAS, Louisiana law also has established work release programs which are
2operated either by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections or the sheriff; and
3 WHEREAS, work release programs are designed to allow individuals who are
4convicted of certain crimes an opportunity to learn a skill or trade and to successfully reenter
5society upon completion of their sentences; and
6 WHEREAS, traditional work release programs and eligibility criteria are not well
7suited for persons convicted for failure to pay child support obligations due to the average
8length of incarceration of those offenders.
9 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
10request that the Department of Public Safety and Corrections make recommendations for the
11development of a work release program which would be suited for individuals convicted of
12offenses involving the failure to pay child support in order to facilitate employment and the
13fulfillment of child support obligations and make recommendations to the Louisiana
14Legislature prior to the convening of the 2016 Regular Session.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Public Safety and Corrections
16work in conjunction with the Louisiana Sentencing Commission, the Louisiana Sheriffs'
17Association, the Criminal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure Committee of the Louisiana
18State Law Institute, the Department of Children and Family Services, and any other
19stakeholders it deems appropriate in conducting this study.
20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
21to the secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 175 Original 2015 Regular Session Jefferson
Requests the DPS&C to make recommendations for the development of a work release
program for individuals convicted of offenses involving the failure to pay child support in
order to facilitate employment and the fulfillment of child support obligations and make
recommendations to the Louisiana Legislature prior to the convening of the 2016 R.S.
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