This bill proposes significant amendments to the Louisiana Children's Code and related statutes, primarily focusing on the reorganization of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). It establishes an office of child support and an office of child welfare, while eliminating the existing office of children and family services. Key changes include replacing references to "children and family services" with "child welfare" throughout various articles, thereby clarifying the department's structure and responsibilities. The bill also updates the language regarding the duties of these offices, particularly in relation to child welfare and support, and specifies that the office of child welfare will manage the voluntary registry for adopted persons and their biological families.

Additionally, the bill repeals outdated provisions and modifies existing laws to enhance clarity and efficiency in child welfare processes. It includes new protocols for the registration and confidentiality of adoption-related documents, outlines specific procedures for the annulment of notarial acts, and establishes guidelines for background checks on foster and adoptive parents. Significant deletions from current law include the removal of references to the food stamp program and the division of management and finance, now referred to as the office of management and finance. Overall, the amendments aim to modernize the legal framework governing child support and foster care services in Louisiana, ensuring that the DCFS operates effectively and transparently in serving the needs of children and families.

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)
HB617 Enrolled: 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), 36:477(B)(1), 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), 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 Act 477: 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), 36:477(B)(1), 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), 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)