RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 507 (SB 145) 2024 Regular Session Barrow
Existing law creates a state child ombudsman appointed by the legislative auditor and
provides for the powers and duties of the ombudsman.
New law defines terms used included in the ombudsman's duties and grants the ombudsman
authority to access certain documents and records to perform those duties.
New law prohibits the ombudsman from being compelled to be a witness or be deposed in
any case where the ombudsman is not personally a defendant.
Existing law provides for confidentiality of certain documents maintained by the Department
of Education, Louisiana's Foundational Integrated Research System for Transformation (LA
FIRST), public elementary and secondary schools and local public school systems, the
Department of Children and Family Services, juvenile courts, and the office of juvenile
justice.
New law requires that those documents be provided to the ombudsman upon request.
Existing law exempts certain documents in the custody or control of the legislative auditor
and the internal auditor of a municipality from public records disclosure.
New law adds an exemption for documents in the custody or control of the ombudsman.
Existing law provides for Department of Children and Family Services procedures relative
to reported alleged abuse or neglect.
New law adds procedures for cases of inconclusive determination.
Effective August 1, 2024.
(Amends R.S. 24:525(C)(2), (5) through (8), and (11), R.S. 44:4(6), and Ch.C. Arts. 412(O),
616.1.1(B), and 616.1.1(C)(intro para); adds R.S. 17:407.29(J), 3914(O), R.S. 24:525(F) and
(G), R.S. 46:56(N), and Ch.C. Art. 616.1.1(D))