House Bill No. 619 proposes a comprehensive reorganization of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in Louisiana, creating two new offices: the office of child support and the office of child welfare, while eliminating the existing office of children and family services. The bill aims to modernize the structure and operations of the DCFS by transferring responsibilities and updating legal language throughout various articles of the Children's Code and other statutes. Specifically, it replaces references to the "office of children and family services" with the new offices, thereby streamlining terminology and enhancing clarity in the law.

In addition to structural changes, the bill addresses procedural aspects related to child welfare and support, including the handling of adoption agreements and the confidentiality of documents. It enhances the authority of the DCFS in conducting background checks for foster and adoptive parents and establishes protocols for public schools regarding meal denials to students, mandating notification to parents and involvement of child welfare services after repeated incidents. The bill also clarifies the roles of the undersecretary and assistant secretaries within the department, ensuring effective oversight and accountability. Overall, the proposed changes aim to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of child welfare and support services, ultimately better serving the needs of children and families in Louisiana.

Statutes affected:
HB617 Original: 6:333(F)(14), 9:16(A), 9:40(1), 9:1(A), 9:406(B)(2), 11:1(F), 13:998(B), 13:1141(B), 13:1414(B), 13:4291(B)(1), 14:1(A), 15:587(A)(2), 15:1(I), 15:5(A)(4), 17:1(A)(1), 23:1605(A)(4), 43:111(A)(8), 46:51, 46:1(3), 46:114(A), 46:1(C), 46:4(E), 46:8(D), 46:3(A)(2), 46:10(A), 46:11(C), 46:12(B)(1), 46:14(D)(1), 46:15(A)(1), 46:238(B), 46:1002(A), 46:2(F), 47:11(1), 47:41(B), 47:112(C), 47:9027(C)(10), 51:1442(4), 36:474(A)(11), 36:477(B)(2), 46:51(2), 46:1(A)
HB617 Engrossed: 6:333(F)(14), 9:16(A), 9:40(1), 9:1(A), 9:406(B)(2), 11:1(F), 13:998(B), 13:1141(B), 13:1414(B), 13:4291(B)(1), 15:587(A)(2), 15:1(I), 15:5(A)(4), 17:1(A)(1), 23:1605(A)(4), 40:5(E), 40:12(D), 40:14(B)(3), 43:111(A)(8), 46:51, 46:1(3), 46:114(A), 46:1(C), 46:4(E), 46:8(D), 46:3(A)(2), 46:10(A), 46:11(C), 46:12(B)(1), 46:14(D)(1), 46:15(A)(1), 46:238(B), 46:1002(A), 46:2(F), 47:11(1), 47:41(B), 47:112(C), 47:9027(C)(10), 51:1442(4), 36:474(A)(11), 36:477(B)(2), 46:51(2), 46:1(A)
HB617 Reengrossed: 6:333(F)(14), 9:16(A), 9:40(1), 9:1(A), 9:406(B)(2), 11:1(F), 13:998(B), 13:1141(B), 13:1414(B), 13:4291(B)(1), 15:587(A)(2), 15:1(I), 15:5(A)(4), 17:1(A)(1), 23:1605(A)(4), 36:3(7), 36:8(E)(2), 36:9(C), 36:471(B), 36:472(A), 36:1(B), 40:5(E), 40:12(D), 40:14(B)(3), 43:111(A)(8), 46:51, 46:1(3), 46:114(A), 46:1(C), 46:4(E), 46:8(D), 46:3(A)(2), 46:10(A), 46:11(C), 46:12(B)(1), 46:14(D)(1), 46:15(A)(1), 46:238(B), 46:1002(A), 46:2(F), 47:11(1), 47:41(B), 47:112(C), 47:9027(C)(10), 51:1442(4), 36:474(A)(11), 36:477(B)(2), 46:51(2), 46:1(A)