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)]
HB 482 Original 2016 Regular Session Jefferson
Abstract: Creates a seven-member Foster Care and Permanence Task Force to recommend to the
governor and the legislature means by which the state may better facilitate permanency for
foster children.
Proposed law creates the Foster Care and Permanence Task Force, referred to hereafter as the "task
force". Provides that the task force shall be composed of the following members:
(1)Two members representing the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
appointed by the secretary of the department, one of whom shall be a representative of the
Kinship Foster Care Program.
(2)The dean of the Southern University Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy or his
designee.
(3)The director of the Louisiana State University School of Social Work or his designee.
(4)The executive director of the National Association of Social Workers, Louisiana Chapter,
or his designee.
(5)The president of LouisianaChildren.org or his designee.
(6)The executive director of the Louisiana Foster and Adoptive Parent Association or his
designee.
Proposed law requires the DCFS secretary to take such actions as are necessary to ensure that the
initial convening of the task force occurs no later than October 1, 2016.
Proposed law provides that the task force members shall select a chairman annually who shall serve
as chairman without salary; and that the members shall serve without compensation, except per diem
or expense reimbursement to which they may be individually entitled by their respective employer
organizations.
Proposed law requires the task force to hold at least two public meetings each year at a place
designated by the chairman.
Proposed law provides that the functions of the task force shall include all of the following: (1)Examination of means and best practices to ensure that foster children and adoptive children
are placed in homes that become permanent and comfortable homes, thereby reducing the
number of children who are moved repeatedly into foster homes and adoptive arrangements.
(2)Identification of means by which to evaluate the motivations of persons applying to be foster
parents to ensure that the applicants are motivated by reasons that are in the best interest of
children.
(3)Examination of means and best practices to encourage recruitment and retention of foster
parents who practice foster care for reasons that are good for children.
(4)Examination of means to facilitate provision to foster parents and adoptive parents of all
available information about a foster child's behavior before the child is placed with the foster
or adoptive parents.
(5)Recommendation of means by which to ensure that adoption subsidies remain sufficient to
meet the needs of an adoptive child and his adoptive parents as the child grows older.
(6)Recommendation of means by which to improve the rate of permanency among young
people who are fourteen years of age or older and are in the state foster care system or in
residential placement.
(7)Recommendations for a process to mediate conflicts between foster or adoptive parents and
child placement agencies or biological parents.
Proposed law requires that on or before Dec. 31, 2017, and semiannually thereafter, the task force
shall prepare and submit to the governor and the legislature a report on the status and well-being of
children in foster care, with a particular focus on any policies and practices which are facilitating or
could likely facilitate a greater degree of permanency for foster children.
Proposed law terminates on Jan. 1, 2018.
(Adds R.S. 46:2431-2434)