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 Engrossed 2016 Regular Session Jefferson
Abstract: Creates an eight-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
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.
(7)A person who has served as a relative caretaker for a child in foster care appointed by the
secretary of DCFS.
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 can become permanent placements when reunification is not
possible, thereby reducing the number of children who are moved repeatedly among different
homes.
(2)Identification of means by which to assess persons applying to be foster parents, adoptive
parents, and relative caretakers.
(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.
(8)Identification of laws and agency policies that unduly serve as barriers to permanency.
(9)Identification of barriers with respect to recruitment of a competent workforce and substitute
caretaker network.
(10)Examination of barriers with respect to placement resources.
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) Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to the
original bill:
1. Delete a reference to the DCFS Kinship Foster Care Program and insert in lieu thereof
a reference to the DCFS foster care program.
2. Add as a task force member a person who has served as a relative caretaker for a child
in foster care appointed by the secretary of DCFS.
3. Revise two enumerated functions of the task force to provide that these functions shall
be:
(a)Examination of means and best practices to ensure that foster children and
adoptive children are placed in homes that can become permanent placements
when reunification is not possible, thereby reducing the number of children who
are moved repeatedly among different homes.
(b)Identification of means by which to assess persons applying to be foster parents,
adoptive parents, and relative caretakers.
4. Add the following three enumerated functions of the task force:
(a)Identification of laws and agency policies that unduly serve as barriers to
permanency.
(b)Identification of barriers with respect to recruitment of a competent workforce
and substitute caretaker network.
(c)Examination of barriers with respect to placement resources.