RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 284 (HB 729) 2020 Regular Session Marcelle
Existing law provides for the Children's Cabinet, a state agency within the office of the
governor, to facilitate and require coordination of policy, planning, and budgeting affecting
programs and services for children and their families; to coordinate delivery of services to
children and their families; and to eliminate duplication of services where appropriate.
Prior law provided that the existence of the Children's Cabinet shall terminate, all legal
authority of the Children's Cabinet shall cease, and provisions of existing law regarding the
Children's Cabinet shall be repealed on Aug. 1, 2022.
New law repeals the provision which provides for the termination of the Children's Cabinet
and legal authority and the repeal of existing law provisions regarding the Children's Cabinet.
Existing law provides for the Children's Cabinet Advisory Board to provide information and
recommendations from the perspective of advocacy groups, service providers, and parents.
New law establishes the Council on the Children of Incarcerated Parents and Caregivers and
houses the Council on the Children of Incarcerated Parents and Caregivers within the Office
of the Governor.
New law defines "incarcerated parents and caregivers" to include all individuals who, prior
to or following incarceration, are primarily or secondarily responsible for the health and well-
being of an individual.
New law provides that the council shall be composed of certain members described in new
law and shall be domiciled in East Baton Rouge Parish. New law authorizes the council to
add additional members by a majority vote of current council members.
New law provides that council members shall serve two-year terms, until the appointment
and qualification of their successor, and shall not receive any compensation or
reimbursement of expenses.
New law requires the council to meet at least once in at least three of the four quarters each
year and to comply with the Open Meetings Law.
New law requires all departments, boards, agencies, officers, and institutions of the state and
all subdivisions thereof to cooperate with the council in carrying out its purposes.
New law requires the council to make, or cause to be made, all such studies, reviews, or
analyses that it determines to be necessary to effect its purpose.
New law authorizes the council to receive and expend funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by the legislature or from any other source, including donations or gifts of money
or services from public or private organizations or from any other sources, to be utilized for
the purposes of the council.
New law provides for the specific duties of the council including the following:
(1)Investigate the impact that a parent's or caregiver's involvement in the criminal
justice system has on the mental, emotional, physical, and financial well-being of
their child or children up to and through adulthood.
(2)Serve as a liaison between government and private interest groups with regard to
matters of unique interest and concern to the children of incarcerated parents or
caregivers.
(3)Identify and discuss best practices as they affect the children of incarcerated parents
and caregivers and explore how those practices can be adapted to programs and
services within the state. (4)Advise executive and legislative bodies of the potential effect of proposed legislation
on the children of incarcerated parents and caregivers, as the CIP Council determines
to be necessary and appropriate.
(5)Investigate the merits of the establishment of a state agency within a department
dedicated to issues affecting the children of incarcerated parents and caregivers, and
determine how such agency or program is to be organized and implemented.
(6)Provide resources and education to the caregivers of children with incarcerated
parents or caregivers.
New law requires the council to report its findings, conclusions, and recommendations at
least once every two years beginning Jan. 31, 2022.
New law creates the Children of Incarcerated Parents and Caregivers Fund and provides for
the administration and use of monies in the fund for purposes of the council and provides that
the fund shall be comprised of any monies appropriated annually by the legislature, including
federal funds; any public or private donations, gifts, or grants from individuals, corporations,
nonprofit organizations, or other business entities; and any other monies that may be obtained
or provided by law.
Effective upon signature of governor (June 11, 2020).
(Adds R.S. 46:2605.4-2605.6; Repeals R.S. 46:2607)