2023 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 168
BY SENATORS MIZELL, ABRAHAM, BARROW, BOUIE, CARTER, CATHEY,
CLOUD, CONNICK, CORTEZ, DUPLESSIS, FESI, FOIL, HARRIS,
HENSGENS, HEWITT, JACKSON, KLEINPETER, LUNEAU,
MCMATH, MILLIGAN, FRED MILLS, ROBERT MILLS, MORRIS,
PRICE, REESE, SMITH, STINE, TALBOT AND WOMACK
A RESOLUTION
To create and provide for the Task Force on Juvenile Justice Facility Standards.
WHEREAS, juvenile justice facilities house juveniles adjudicated of crimes while
they serve their sentence; and
WHEREAS, while the juvenile is in state custody, the state has a paternal
responsibility to the minor child, including providing for educational and mental health
needs in order to rehabilitate the child for success upon release; and
WHEREAS, such a crisis exists in the juvenile justice system that children are being
housed in a building on the grounds of the Louisiana State Penitentiary.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby establish and provide for the Task Force on Juvenile Justice Facility Standards
to study conditions of juvenile justice facilities and to create statewide standards, and to
propose recommendations, together with specific proposals for legislation, if the task force
deems it necessary or appropriate, by written report to the Senate and to the David R.
Poynter Legislative Research Library as required by R.S. 24:771 and 772, no later than
March 1, 2024.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall consist of the following
members:
(1) The senator for District 12, who shall serve as chairperson.
(2) A representative of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections,
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office of juvenile justice, designated by the deputy secretary.
(3) A representative of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement.
(4) A member of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, designated by the
executive director.
(5) A representative of the Louisiana Department of Education who oversees K-12
education, designated by the state superintendent.
(6) A representative of the Louisiana Department of Health, office of behavioral
health, designated by the secretary of the department.
(7) A representative of the Louisiana Public Defender Board who has represented
juvenile clients, designated by the state public defender.
(8) The president of the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, or her
designee.
(9) The Louisiana manager for The Justice Collaborative, or his designee.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each designating authority shall submit the
names of designees to the task force to the senator for District 12, no later than August 1,
2023.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall convene for its first meeting
no later than September 15, 2023, at the call of the senator for District 12, and at the first
meeting, the members shall elect other officers as the task force may deem appropriate.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall receive staff support from
one or more of the entities from which the task force membership is designated or appointed,
at the discretion of the task force.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the task force shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business, and all official actions of the task force shall require
the affirmative vote of a majority of the members.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve
without compensation, except per diem or expenses reimbursement to which they may be
individually entitled as members of their constituent organizations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall terminate on the date of the
submission of its report, if submitted or March 1, 2024, whichever occurs first.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of juvenile justice, the Louisiana
Commission on Law Enforcement, the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, the
Louisiana Department of Education, the Louisiana Department of Health, office of
behavioral health, and the Louisiana Public Defender Board.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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