This bill proposes significant amendments to Louisiana law concerning the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), primarily focusing on restructuring its organization. It establishes an "office of child support" and an "office of child welfare," while eliminating the existing office of children and family services. The bill replaces references to the "office of children and family services" with the new terminology throughout various legal documents, aiming to streamline operations and clarify the roles of the department's divisions. Additionally, it repeals outdated provisions and updates the legal framework governing child welfare, including specific amendments related to child advocacy centers and post-adoption agreements.

Moreover, the bill emphasizes the importance of child safety, family empowerment, and community strength, introducing new language that reflects these values. It outlines procedures for the distribution of funds collected from nonrefundable fees to qualifying nonprofit organizations and highlights the necessity of background checks for foster and adoptive parents. The bill also modifies provisions regarding the recruitment of foster and adoptive parents, allowing the use of public funds for advertising. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of child welfare services while ensuring the protection of children's rights and privacy, thereby modernizing the legal framework governing these services 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)
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)