2024 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 167
BY SENATOR BARROW
A RESOLUTION
To create and provide for the Task Force on Child Sexual Abuse Investigation Processes.
WHEREAS, Dr. David Finkelhor, Director of the Crimes against Children Research
Center at the University of New Hampshire, has stated, "The impact of child sexual abuse
is profound and long-lasting, affecting not only the victims but also their families and
communities. Early and effective intervention is crucial to mitigate these effects and to bring
justice to the victims"; and
WHEREAS, national statistics indicate that approximately one in ten children will
be sexually abused before their eighteenth birthday, with an estimated sixty percent of
victims never disclosing their abuse, and only twelve percent of child sexual abuse cases
being reported to authorities; and
WHEREAS, the National Children's Alliance's 2023 annual report states that, in
Louisiana, child advocacy centers served a total of 6,144 children with 4,105 reports of child
sexual abuse; and
WHEREAS, in calendar year 2023, the Department of Children and Family Services
reported 1,999 investigations involving at least one allegation of sexual abuse or juvenile sex
trafficking affecting 2,340 individual alleged child victims; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of a Task Force on Child Sexual Abuse Investigation
Processes is essential to thoroughly examine the current processes for investigating child
sexual abuse, identify gaps and weaknesses, and recommend actionable improvements to
better protect and support victims.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby establish and provide for the Task Force on Child Sexual Abuse Investigation
Processes to study the methods, systems, investigative techniques, and management of
investigations involving sexual abuse of children, and to propose recommendations, together
with specific proposals for legislation, if any, 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
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than February 28, 2025.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the purposes of the Task Force on Child Sexual
Abuse Investigation Processes shall include but not be limited to the following:
(1) Investigating current procedures and protocols used by law enforcement, child
protective service agencies, or other relevant agencies in the investigation of child sexual
abuse cases.
(2) Evaluating the effectiveness of investigative practices used in Louisiana and
identifying any deficiencies or areas needing improvement.
(3) Recommending legislative and procedural changes to enhance the effectiveness,
efficiency, and sensitivity of investigations.
(4) Promoting interagency collaboration and communication to produce a
comprehensive approach to investigating child sex abuse.
(5) Encouraging timely, compassionate, and effective support services including
medical, psychological, and legal assistance.
(6) Identifying and developing specialized training programs for professionals who
investigate or provide support in sexual abuse cases involving children including law
enforcement officers, social workers, medical personnel, prosecutors, and educators.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force should consider accepting public
testimony for the purpose of achieving its goals.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall consist of members from
each of the following, to be appointed by the specified entity:
(1) Two representatives from the Department of Children and Family Services,
appointed by the secretary.
(2) A law enforcement officer with experience investigating sexual abuse in children,
appointed by the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association.
(3) A juvenile court judge appointed by the Louisiana Council of Juvenile and
Family Court Judges.
(4) A family court judge appointed by the Louisiana District Judges Association.
(5) A district attorney appointed by the Louisiana District Attorneys Association.
(6) A forensic interviewer appointed by the Louisiana Alliance of Children's
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Advocacy Centers.
(7) A child psychologist appointed by the chairman of the Louisiana State Board of
Examiners of Psychologists.
(8) A survivor of child sexual abuse appointed by Sexual Trauma Awareness &
Response.
(9) A custodial parent or caretaker of a child who has been the subject of a child
sexual abuse investigation, appointed by the secretary of the Department of Children and
Family Services.
(10) A noncustodial parent of a child who has been the subject of a child sexual
abuse investigation appointed by Fathers On a Mission (FOAM).
(11) A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, appointed by the president of the Louisiana
State Board of Nursing.
(12) The president of the Louisiana Senate, or his designee.
(13) The state child ombudsman, or her designee.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each designating authority shall submit the
names of designees to the task force to the president of the Louisiana Senate no later than
August 15, 2024.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the task force shall convene for its first meeting no
later than October 1, 2024, at the call of the president of the Louisiana Senate or his
designee, and at the first meeting, the members shall elect a chairman and other officers as
the task force may deem appropriate.
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 quorum.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve
without compensation, except per diem or expense reimbursement to which they may be
individually entitled as members of their constituent organizations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall receive staff support from
one or more of the entities from which the task force's membership is designated or
appointed, at the discretion of the task force.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall terminate on the date of the
submission of its report, if any, or February 28, 2025, whichever occurs first.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
president of the Louisiana Senate, the Department of Children and Family Services, the
Louisiana Sheriffs' Association, the Louisiana Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges,
the Louisiana District Judges Association, the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, the
Louisiana Alliance of Children's Advocacy Centers, the Louisiana State Board of Examiners
of Psychologists, Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response, Fathers On a Mission, the
Louisiana State Board of Nursing, and the state child ombudsman.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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