HLS 22RS-1087 ORIGINAL
2022 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 970
BY REPRESENTATIVE WHITE
EARLY CHILDHOOD: Creates an early childhood literacy program for the purpose of
delivering an age-appropriate book monthly to eligible children under the age of five
1 AN ACT
2To enact Part X-G of Chapter 1 of Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be
3 comprised of R.S. 17:407.111, relative to early childhood literacy; to establish an
4 early childhood literacy program; to provide for program purposes, administration,
5 and funding; to provide eligibility criteria for participation; and to provide for related
6 matters.
7Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. Part X-G of Chapter 1 of Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of
91950, comprised of R.S. 17:407.111, is hereby enacted to read as follows:
10 PART X-G. EARLY CHILDHOOD LITERACY
11 ยง407.111. Early childhood literacy program; creation; purpose; eligibility
12 A. There is hereby established an early childhood literacy program. The
13 program shall provide for delivery of an age-appropriate book each month to the
14 home of every eligible child.
15 B. The state Department of Education shall select an appropriate nonprofit
16 organization that is exempt from federal income taxes pursuant to 26 U.S.C.
17 501(c)(3) and that is based in Louisiana and that has a mission of improving literacy
18 in children to administer the program. The organization shall work with a national
19 nonprofit foundation that exists for the purpose of working with local entities to
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
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HB NO. 970
1 identify eligible children and mailing age-appropriate books each month at no cost
2 to the families.
3 C. The administering organization shall:
4 (1) Manage the daily operations of the program.
5 (2) Work to ensure that eligible children throughout the state are being
6 identified and enrolled as participants in the program.
7 (3) Develop, promote, and coordinate a public awareness campaign to
8 increase private support for and participation in the program.
9 (4) Work cooperatively with other entities in the state that are working with
10 the same national nonprofit foundation to avoid duplication of enrollment and to
11 maximize the number of children receiving books from the foundation.
12 (5) Work cooperatively with other entities to protect the confidentiality of
13 participating families.
14 D. Funds appropriated for this program shall be used solely to pay the costs
15 associated with the delivery of the books.
16 E. For purposes of the Part, "eligible child" means a child younger than age
17 five in a family that qualifies for participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition
18 Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
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 970 Original 2022 Regular Session White
Abstract: Creates an early childhood literacy program for the purpose of delivering an age-
appropriate book monthly to certain children under the age of five.
Proposed law establishes an early childhood literacy program for the purpose of delivering
an age-appropriate book monthly to each child younger than age five in families that qualify
for participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC). Proposed law further requires:
(1)The state Dept. of Education to select a La.-based nonprofit organization with a
mission related to children's literacy to administer the program, including working
with a national nonprofit foundation to identify eligible children and mail the books
at no cost to families.
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HB NO. 970
(2)The nonprofit organization to manage the program's daily operations, ensure the
identification and enrollment of eligible children, promote the program, and work
with other entities to avoid duplication, maximize participation, and protect
confidentiality of families.
(3)Funds appropriated for the program to be used only to pay the costs associated with
book delivery.
(Adds R.S. 17:407.111)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.