ENROLLED
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 175
BY REPRESENTATIVE JEFFERSON
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To urge and request that the Department of Public Safety and Corrections make
recommendations for the development of a work release program which would be
suited 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 Regular Session.
WHEREAS, the obligation to support children is one of the most fundamental and
basic obligations; and
WHEREAS, R.S. 9:315 provides, in part, that "child support is a continuous
obligation of both parents" and that "children are entitled to share in the current income of
both parents"; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana law provides for the awarding and collecting of child support
obligations to support Louisiana children; and
WHEREAS, the failure to pay a child support obligation may result in criminal
prosecution through either criminal neglect of family or the failure to pay a child support
obligation, and can result in incarceration of individuals who are convicted of those offenses;
and
WHEREAS, incarceration often results in a person having no opportunity to obtain
necessary funds and further perpetuates the failure to pay child support; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana law also has established work release programs which are
operated either by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections or the sheriff; and
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WHEREAS, work release programs are designed to allow individuals who are
convicted of certain crimes an opportunity to learn a skill or trade and to successfully reenter
society upon completion of their sentences; and
WHEREAS, traditional work release programs and eligibility criteria are not well
suited for persons convicted for failure to pay child support obligations due to the average
length of incarceration of those offenders.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
request that the Department of Public Safety and Corrections make recommendations for the
development of a work release program which would be suited 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 Regular Session.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Public Safety and Corrections
work in conjunction with the Louisiana Sentencing Commission, the Louisiana Sheriffs'
Association, the Criminal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure Committee of the Louisiana
State Law Institute, the Department of Children and Family Services, and any other
stakeholders it deems appropriate in conducting this study.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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