House Bill No. [insert bill number] amends existing laws regarding the hiring and employment standards for the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in Louisiana. The bill grants the secretary of DCFS the authority to conduct criminal background checks and searches of the state central registry for all current and prospective employees. This requirement is aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of children under the department's care by preventing individuals with a history of abuse or neglect from being employed in sensitive positions.

Additionally, the bill modifies the hiring conditions for employees whose roles involve the investigation of child abuse or neglect, supervisory or disciplinary authority over children, direct care of a child, or performance of licensing surveys. It stipulates that no person can be hired for these roles until they have successfully undergone a criminal background check and their name has been cleared from the central registry. Furthermore, any current employee found on the central registry must be terminated, although permanent classified employees are afforded the right to exhaust their administrative appeal rights before termination.

Statutes affected:
HB420 Original: 36:474(B)(1), 46:2(A)(1)