2018 Second Extraordinary Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 23
BY SENATOR BARROW
A RESOLUTION
To create the Task Force on Prevention of Human Degradation and Exploitation of
Vulnerable Individuals in Community-Based Residential Settings.
WHEREAS, safe and secure housing is a basic necessary element for survival that
should be afforded to vulnerable individuals without threat of degradation, exploitation, or
abuse at the hands of property owners or land owners; and
WHEREAS, many vulnerable adults in need of housing are recipients of government
funded assistance, such as social security payments, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) food stamps, or other federal or state stipends or subsidies; and
WHEREAS, while there are many genuinely good and caring property owners or
landowners, the vulnerability of certain populations and access to their government benefits
has created an opportunity for certain unsavory individuals to manipulate, scam, exploit, or
stockpile individuals in unclean, unsafe, overcrowded, and unhealthy community-based
residential settings; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that the government agencies and associations entrusted
with ensuring the health and welfare of the public come together to develop a strategy for
regulating this situation so as to protect those most vulnerable and penalize those who are
exploiting them.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby create the Task Force on Prevention of Human Degradation and Exploitation
of Vulnerable Individuals in Community-Based Residential Settings.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be comprised of the
following fifteen members:
(1) The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, or his designee, who shall
call the first meeting of the task force on or before October 1, 2018, and shall ensure that the
task force fulfills its charge and submits the report required by this Resolution.
(2) The state health officer, or his designee.
(3) The director of the health standards section within the Louisiana Department of
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Health, or his designee.
(4) The director of the adult protective services section within the Louisiana
Department of Health, or his designee.
(5) The secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services, or his
designee.
(6) The attorney general, or his designee.
(7) The state fire marshal, or his designee.
(8) The executive director of the Louisiana Municipal Association, or his designee.
(9) The executive director of the Police Jury Association of Louisiana, or his
designee.
(10) The executive director of the Advocacy Center of Louisiana, or his designee.
(11) The executive director of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association, or his designee.
(12) The executive director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, or his
designee.
(13) One person appointed by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and
Welfare.
(14) One person appointed by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary C.
(15) The executive director of the Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs, or his
designee.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall meet as often as is necessary
to research, discuss, compile, and submit a report containing findings and recommendations
to the Louisiana Senate on or before February 1, 2019.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in executing its charge, the task force shall
consider and recommend to the Senate the following:
(1) All present federal and state laws, rules, and regulations, as well as local
ordinances in existence, to protect vulnerable individuals from degradation and exploitation
by certain property owners or landowners.
(2) Any state laws, rules, and regulations or local ordinances proposed as necessary
to protect vulnerable individuals from degradation and exploitation by certain property
owners or landowners.
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(3) Any proposals for regulation of community-based residential settings in which
non-related individuals reside in a single dwelling and the rent or fees paid to the property
owner or landowner are derived from government funded assistance, such as social security
payments, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food stamps, or other federal
or state stipends or subsidies.
(4) Any civil or criminal penalties to be assessed against a property owner or
landowner who manipulates, scams, exploits, or stockpiles individuals in unclean, unsafe,
overcrowded, and unhealthy community-based residential settings.
(5) Any transition or relocation plan for vulnerable individuals who reside in a
community-based setting that is deemed unclean, unsafe, overcrowded, and unhealthy.
(6) Any other recommendation deemed important by the task force to address this
matter.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall serve without compensation,
except per diem or expense reimbursement to which they may be individually entitled as
members of their respective organization.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall terminate on July 1, 2019.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, the state health officer, the director of the
health standards section within the Louisiana Department of Health, the director of the adult
protective services section within the Louisiana Department of Health, the secretary of the
Department of Children and Family Services, the attorney general, the state fire marshal, the
executive director of the Louisiana Municipal Association, the executive director of the
Police Jury Association of Louisiana, the executive director of the Advocacy Center of
Louisiana, the executive director of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association, the executive
director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, the chairman of the Senate
Committee on Health and Welfare, the executive director of the Governor's Office of Elderly
Affairs, and the chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary C.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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