RDCSB129 3837 3570
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)]
SB 129 Reengrossed 2018 Regular Session Gatti
Proposed law provides that a person in foster care and the person’s foster parents shall
continue to receive all benefits and services of the foster care program after the person’s 18th
birthday, if the person is a full-time high school student or in the process of receiving an
equivalent credential until the person’s high school graduation or 21st birthday, whichever
comes first.
Present law provides that a child residing in a residential home may stay at that home until
his twenty-first birthday to complete any educational course he has begun in such facility.
Proposed law adds to present law that a child housed in a residential home or in foster care
may stay at such home or in foster care until his twenty-first birthday to complete any
educational course that he began at such facility.
Proposed law provides that acceptance of these benefits shall not deprive the person in foster
care of any rights or obligations conferred by attaining the age of majority.
Proposed law specifies that the benefits and services provided shall not impose any
obligation of reimbursement on the recipients.
Proposed law specifies that the Department of Children and Family Services shall notify all
foster children and their foster parents or other custodians in writing of the availability of
these benefits and services upon the child’s 17th birthday, and every ninety days thereafter
until the child’s 18th birthday, unless the foster child and foster parents or other custodians
have already consented in writing to participate.
Proposed law provides that it shall take effect and become operative if and when S.B. No.
555 of the 2018 R.S. is enacted into law and becomes effective.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 46:1403.1; Adds R.S. 46:286.24)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Finance to the
engrossed bill
1. Provides that a person in foster care and the person’s foster parents shall
continue to receive all benefits and services of the foster care program after
the person’s 18th birthday, if the person is a full-time high school student until the
person’s high school graduation or 21st birthday, whichever comes first.
2. Provides that acceptance of these benefits shall not deprive the person in
foster care of any rights or obligations conferred by attaining the age of
majority.
3. Specifies that the benefits and services provided shall not impose any
obligation of reimbursement on the recipients.
4. Specifies that the Department of Children and Family Services shall notify
all foster children and their foster parents or other custodians in writing of the
availability of these benefits and services upon the child’s 17th birthday, and
every ninety days thereafter until the child’s 18th birthday, unless the foster
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child and foster parents or other custodians have already consented in writing
to participate.
5. Applies a contingency that this Act shall take effect and become operative if
and when Senate Bill No. 555 of the 2018 Regular Session of the Legislature
is enacted into law and becomes effective.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to
the reengrossed bill:
1. Adds that a person in foster care and the person’s foster parents shall continue
to receive all benefits and services of the foster care program after the person’s
18th birthday, if the person is a full-time high school student or in the process of
receiving an equivalent credential until the person’s high school graduation or
21st birthday, whichever comes first.
2. Adds that a child housed in a residential home or in foster care may stay at such
home or in foster care until his twenty-first birthday to complete any educational
course that he began at such facility.
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