HLS 15RS-914 ENGROSSED
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 64
BY REPRESENTATIVE BROADWATER
EDUCATION: Creates the Education in Alternative Settings Study Commission to study
education in juvenile justice settings and in transitions between the community and
juvenile justice settings
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To create the Education in Alternative Settings Study Commission to study and make
3 recommendations on educational programs in juvenile justice settings and during
4 transitions between the community and juvenile justice settings.
5 WHEREAS, education is a powerful shield against delinquency and recidivism;
6education serves as an indispensable part of positive youth development; and
7 WHEREAS, it is important that youth who are in the custody of the state's juvenile
8justice system receive the same educational opportunities as all youth in Louisiana; and
9 WHEREAS, there are particular challenges in educating youth in juvenile justice
10settings including high rates of special education needs and accommodating youth who enter
11and leave juvenile justice facilities throughout the year; and
12 WHEREAS, effective educational programs in juvenile justice settings require
13careful attention to supporting youth in times of transition, such as when they enter custody
14or return to their respective communities when released from custody; and
15 WHEREAS, it is imperative that high quality educational programs be provided in
16juvenile justice facilities in order to help youth develop the academic and vocational skills
17necessary to successfully transition to and succeed in high school, postsecondary education
18institutions, and the workforce; and
19 WHEREAS, Louisiana's public education and juvenile justice systems would benefit
20from careful assessment of the state's existing practices and from studies to ensure that the
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1best practices in education are implemented in detention centers, nonsecure and secure
2facilities, and in times of transition in order for our youth to succeed in school and life.
3 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
4establish the Education in Alternative Settings Study Commission to meet and make
5recommendations to the legislature on actions necessary to provide the best possible
6education to youth in juvenile justice settings.
7 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission shall consist of the following
8members:
9 (1)The chairman of the House Committee on Education, or his designee.
10 (2)One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the
11 House.
12 (3)The chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, or his designee.
13 (4)One member of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate.
14 (5)The deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections,
15 youth services, office of juvenile justice, or his designee.
16 (6)The state superintendent of education, or his designee.
17 (7)The president of the Louisiana Juvenile Detention Association, or his
18 designee.
19 (8)The secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services, or his
20 designee.
21 (9)One judge with jurisdiction over juvenile delinquency proceedings
22 designated by the Louisiana Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.
23 (10)One expert in juvenile justice and best practices in serving incarcerated youth
24 designated by the executive director of the Louisiana Center for Children's
25 Rights.
26 (11)One expert in special education rights designated by the director of the
27 Louisiana office of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
28 (12)One expert in reentry and reintegration designated by the director of the
29 Institute for Public Health and Justice.
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1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study shall include an examination and
2analysis of all aspects of education in juvenile justice settings in Louisiana, and the
3commission shall assess existing policies and practices and formulate recommendations in
4areas, including but not limited to:
5 (1)Instruction and curriculum.
6 (2)Special education services.
7 (3)School culture and youth engagement.
8 (4)Postsecondary and career preparation programming.
9 (5)Community placement and transition planning and implementation.
10 (6)Talent management.
11 (7)Correctional educational staff collaboration.
12 (8)Budget and funding mechanisms.
13 (9)Technology solutions.
14 (10)Collection and use of data in assessment and evaluation.
15 (11)Setting quality standards.
16 (12)Ensuring accountability and oversight.
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission shall review and study best
18practices in alternative education settings at the national, state, and local levels, including
19detention centers and nonsecure and secure custody facilities, and all practices involving the
20support of youth during the transition into and out of juvenile justice custody.
21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the commission shall serve
22without compensation.
23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the total membership shall
24constitute a quorum of the commission, and any official action by the commission shall
25require an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present and voting.
26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission shall conduct public meetings
27as it deems necessary to fully and effectively perform its duties and accomplish the
28objectives and purposes of this Resolution, and may receive testimony and information
29relative to any of the subjects of study enumerated in this Resolution.
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1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission may seek and engage such
2counsel, research, assistance, and advice as may be obtained from any and all public and
3private sources, including but not limited to private research agencies, consulting groups,
4individuals, and organizations.
5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state superintendent of education or his
6designee shall be responsible for designating staff to assist the commission in performing
7its duties.
8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, to the extent permitted by law, every officer,
9agency, board, commission, and department of the state, and every political subdivision and
10local officer, shall:
11 (1) Provide aid, services, and assistance as may be requested by the commission.
12 (2) Make available all facts, records, information, and data requested by the
13commission.
14 (3) Allow commission members and persons providing consulting or advisory
15services to the commission reasonable access to juvenile justice facilities, as long as such
16access does not interfere with the security and stability of the facilities.
17 (4) Cooperate with the commission in carrying out its functions and duties.
18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission member designated by the
19chairman of the House Committee on Education shall convene the first meeting of the
20commission prior to August 1, 2015, at which meeting the commission shall elect a chair or
21co-chairs by vote of a majority of the members present.
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission may issue such interim reports
23as appropriate and shall submit a written report of its study findings and recommendations,
24including suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, to the House Committee on Education
25and the Senate Committee on Education no later than February 1, 2016.
26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission shall terminate on December
2731, 2017.
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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 64 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Broadwater
Establishes the Education in Alternative Settings Study Commission to study and make
recommendations to the legislature on education in juvenile justice settings and during
transitions between the community and juvenile justice settings. Provides for commission
membership, compensation, and duties. Provides that the commission shall submit a written
report of its findings to the House and Senate education committees by Feb. 1, 2016.
Provides that the commission shall terminate on Dec. 31, 2017.
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