House Bill No. HLS 25RS-160 proposes a comprehensive reorganization of family and support programs in Louisiana by transferring responsibilities from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to the newly renamed Louisiana Works, previously known as the Louisiana Workforce Commission. The bill aims to enhance the integration of workforce development and social services, establishing Louisiana Works as the primary agency for administering programs such as vocational rehabilitation, public assistance benefits, and family support initiatives. Key provisions include the transfer of specific programs, the establishment of new duties for Louisiana Works, and the integration of case management for social services. The bill also amends various sections of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, replacing references to DCFS with Louisiana Works or the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) where applicable, and outlines the continuity of programs and contracts during the transition to ensure ongoing service availability.

Additionally, the bill introduces significant changes to the administration of public assistance programs, including the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It emphasizes personal responsibility among cash assistance recipients, mandates participation in employment and workplace literacy programs, and establishes prohibitions on the use of FITAP benefits for certain purchases. The legislation also creates a Kinship Care Subsidy Program to assist eligible caregivers and outlines the responsibilities of Louisiana Works and LDH in administering these programs. Overall, the bill seeks to streamline operations, improve service delivery, and enhance accountability within Louisiana's workforce and social service systems.

Statutes affected:
HB624 Original: 11:780(C)(3), 14:1(A), 14:74(D)(2), 17:1(B)(1), 17:6(A), 17:3914(M)(1), 23:6, 23:73(A)(1), 23:75(A), 23:76(A), 23:78, 23:1600(2), 23:1693(I)(1), 23:73(E)(2), 36:3(3), 36:4(A), 36:308(A), 46:56(A), 46:107(A)(1), 46:4(A), 46:352(1), 46:932(12), 49:191(1), 49:1402(1)
HB624 Engrossed: 11:780(C)(3), 14:1(A), 14:74(D)(2), 17:1(B)(1), 17:6(A), 17:3914(M)(1), 23:6, 23:73(A)(1), 23:75(A), 23:76(A), 23:78, 23:1600(2), 23:1693(I)(1), 23:73(E)(2), 36:3(3), 36:4(A), 36:308(A), 46:56(A), 46:107(A)(1), 46:4(A), 46:352(1), 46:932(12), 49:191(1), 49:1402(1)
HB624 Reengrossed: 11:780(C)(3), 14:1(A), 14:74(D)(2), 17:1(B)(1), 17:6(A), 17:3914(M)(1), 23:6, 23:73(A)(1), 23:75(A), 23:76(A), 23:78, 23:1600(2), 23:1693(J), 23:73(E)(2), 23:1693(I)(1), 36:3(3), 36:4(A), 36:308(A), 46:301(A)(1), 46:321(2), 46:323, 46:324(A), 46:325, 46:331(A)(1), 46:352(1), 46:932(12), 46:56(A), 46:107(A)(1), 46:4(A), 49:191(1), 49:1402(1), 36:308(E)
HB624 Re-Reengrossed: 11:780(C)(3), 14:1(A), 14:74(D)(2), 17:1(B)(1), 17:6(A), 17:3914(M)(1), 23:6, 23:73(A)(1), 23:75(A), 23:76(A), 23:78, 23:1600(2), 23:1693(J), 23:73(E)(2), 23:1693(I)(1), 36:3(3), 36:4(A), 36:308(A), 46:301(A)(1), 46:321(2), 46:323, 46:324(A), 46:325, 46:331(A)(1), 46:352(1), 46:932(12), 46:56(A), 46:107(A)(1), 46:4(A), 49:191(1), 49:1402(1), 36:308(E)