La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1051 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1051
Authority to create and alter the boundaries of districts
Status: in_force

A. The police juries of parishes are authorized and empowered, upon their own initiative, to form and create one or more hospital service districts within the respective parishes, or with agreement among police juries concerned, to combine two or more parishes into a single hospital service district with such names as the police juries may designate, and, in so doing, police juries may create hospital service districts whose boundaries overlap those of other hospital service districts.

B. The police juries are further authorized and empowered, upon their own initiative, to alter the boundaries of any hospital service district, provided that no such boundary change shall cause an impairment of the obligations of any contract of the hospital service district.

C. Such creation of overlapping hospital service districts or the alteration of the boundaries of any hospital service district prior to July 31, 1968, are hereby expressly validated, ratified and confirmed.

D. The governing authority of Pointe Coupee Parish may rename the Pointe Coupee Parish Hospital Service District Number One as the Pointe Coupee Parish Health Services District Number One; in such case, such district and its commission shall continue to have all powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities as provided in this Chapter for hospital service districts, and their commissions and the parish governing authority shall continue to have all powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities as provided in this Chapter with respect to such district.

E. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections A and B of this Section, the governing authority of Ouachita Parish shall not abolish or alter the boundaries of Hospital Service District No. 1 of the Parish of Ouachita unless the abolition or alteration is approved by two-thirds of the full membership of the board of commissioners of the district and approved by a majority of the voters of the district, as the district existed on January 1, 1997, voting at an election held for the purpose of authorizing such abolition or alteration in accordance with the Louisiana Election Code. The parish governing authority or the board of commissioners may call an election for such purpose after the board of commissioners has voted for such approval as provided in this Subsection.

Acts 1950, No. 420, §1. Amended by Acts 1968, No. 35, §1; Acts 1986, No. 326, §1; Acts 1997, No. 436, §2, eff. June 22, 1997.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2132 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2132
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this Part:

(1) "Adult" means any person eighteen years of age or older, or any person under the age of eighteen who has been emancipated by marriage or otherwise.

(2) "Court" shall mean any court of competent jurisdiction in the state of Louisiana.

(3) "Domestic abuse" includes but is not limited to physical or sexual abuse and any offense against the person, physical or non-physical, as defined in the Criminal Code of Louisiana, except negligent injury and defamation, committed by one family member, household member, or dating partner against another. "Domestic abuse" also includes abuse of adults as defined in R.S. 15:1503 when committed by an adult child or adult grandchild.

(4) "Family members" means spouses, former spouses, parents and children, stepparents, stepchildren, foster parents, foster children, other ascendants, and other descendants. "Family member" also means the other parent or foster parent of any child or foster child of the offender. "Household members" means any person presently or formerly living in the same residence with the defendant and who is involved or has been involved in a sexual or intimate relationship with the defendant, or any child presently or formerly living in the same residence with the defendant, or any child of the defendant regardless of where the child resides. "Dating partner" means any person protected from violence under R.S. 46:2151. If a parent or grandparent is being abused by an adult child, adult foster child, or adult grandchild, the provisions of this Part shall apply to any proceeding brought in district court.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 782, §2. Acts 1986, No. 154, §1; Acts 1986, No. 459, §1, eff. July 2, 1986; Acts 1993, No. 402, §2; Acts 1997, No. 1156, §7; Acts 1999, No. 1200, §2; Acts 2001, No. 619, §1; Acts 2010, No. 861, §20; Acts 2015, No. 85, §1; Acts 2017, No. 79, §2; Acts 2020, No. 101, §2; Acts 2020, No. 246, §4.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2131 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2131
Purposes
Status: in_force

The purpose of this Part is to recognize and address the complex legal and social problems created by domestic violence. The legislature finds that existing laws which regulate the dissolution of marriage do not adequately address problems of protecting and assisting the victims of domestic abuse. The legislature further finds that previous societal attitudes have been reflected in the policies and practices of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors which have resulted in different treatment of crimes occurring between family members, household members, or dating partners and those occurring between strangers. It is the intent of the legislature to provide a civil remedy for domestic violence which will afford the victim immediate and easily accessible protection. Furthermore, it is the intent of the legislature that the official response of law enforcement agencies to cases of domestic violence shall stress the enforcement of laws to protect the victim and shall communicate the attitude that violent behavior is not excused or tolerated.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 782, §2; Acts 2015, No. 85, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1103 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1103
Eligibility for scholarship
Status: in_force

Any United States citizen and resident of the state of Louisiana, who is admitted to or is engaged in the study of medicine at an accredited school of medicine located in the United States, or who is engaged in an internship or residency program within the United States, and who intends to practice family medicine in an area of the parish hospital or hospital service district where there is a shortage of physicians practicing family medicine shall be eligible to apply, to the board of commissioners of the parish hospital or hospital service district in the parish or district in which the applicant resides or once resided for a scholarship in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. Such application shall be in writing and in such form as the board may require. It shall contain the written statement of the applicant that he intends to practice family medicine in the parish or district, as the case may be, if he is selected to receive a scholarship.

Added by Acts 1976, No. 130, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 245, §1; Acts 1988, No. 55, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:435 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 435
Costs
Status: in_force

The entire cost of the proceedings herein authorized shall not exceed (a) in uncontested cases the sum of $10.00, exclusive of the fee of the special counsel who may be appointed and of the court reporter; (b) and in contested cases shall not exceed $10.00, exclusive of the fee of the special counsel who may be appointed and of the court reporter.

Added by Acts 1950, No. 166, §1. Amended by Acts 1956, No. 177, §1; Acts 1960, No. 61, §1; Acts 1961, No. 15 §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:51.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 51.2
Criminal history and central registry information
Status: in_force

A.(1) No person shall be hired by the department whose duties include the investigation of child abuse or neglect, supervisory or disciplinary authority over children, direct care of a child, or performance of licensing surveys, until both the following conditions are met:

(a) The person has submitted his fingerprints to the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information and it has been determined that the person has not been convicted of or pled nolo contendere to a crime listed in R.S. 15:587.1(C).

(b) The department has conducted a search of the state central registry of substantiated abuse or neglect, hereafter referred to as "central registry", reports and has determined that the individual's name is not recorded therein. The search shall be limited to those names recorded on the state central registry subsequent to January 1, 2010. If the individual's name is or was entered on the state central registry that individual may make a formal written request to the division of administrative law for an administrative appeal of the substantiated determination, in accordance with Children's Code Article 616.1.1 and the procedures promulgated by the department.

(2) Any employee of the department whose duties include the investigation of child abuse or neglect, supervisory or disciplinary authority over children, direct care of a child, or performance of licensing surveys and whose name is recorded on the state central registry subsequent to January 1, 2010, shall be terminated by the department. A permanent classified employee shall not be terminated until he has exhausted his administrative appeal rights pursuant to Children's Code Article 616.1.1.

(3) The department shall promulgate rules and regulations, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, necessary to implement the provisions of this Subsection.

(4)-(11) Repealed by Acts 2017, No. 348, §5.

(12) No person shall be hired by any organization listed in Subsection F of this Section until such person has submitted his fingerprints to the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information and it has been determined that such person has not been convicted of or pled nolo contendere to a crime listed in R.S. 15:587.1(C). The provisions of this Section shall also apply to volunteers of such organizations.

(13) Repealed by Acts 2017, No. 348, §5.

B. No operator, staff person, or employee of a juvenile detention, correction, or treatment facility shall be hired by the department until such person has submitted his fingerprints to the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information and it has been determined that such person has not been convicted of or pled nolo contendere to a crime listed in R.S. 15:587.1(C).

C.(1) No prospective foster or adoptive parent or relative guardian shall be finally approved for placement of a child or to receive kinship guardian assistance payments until it is determined that the prospective foster or adoptive parent, or relative guardian and any other adult living in the home of the relative guardian, does not have any of the following:

(a) A felony conviction for child abuse or neglect; for spousal abuse; for a crime against children, including child pornography or child sexual abuse materials; or for a crime involving violence including rape, sexual assault, or homicide, but not including other assault or battery.

(b) A felony conviction for physical assault, battery, or a drug-related offense which occurred within the past five years.

(c) A felony conviction for a crime listed in R.S. 15:587.1(C), other than a crime listed in Subparagraph (a) or (b) of this Paragraph, unless an assessment of the circumstances of the crime and of the current situation of the prospective foster or adoptive parent, or relative guardian and any other adult living in the home of the relative guardian, has been conducted by the department and it has been determined that the child would not be at risk if placed in the home.

(2) Nothing in this Subsection shall be construed to prohibit or prevent the department or its employees from considering any prior convictions of the prospective foster or adoptive parent, relative guardian, or any other adult living in the household in determining whether to place a child in a foster home for temporary care or for adoption. For the purposes of this Paragraph, "any other adult living in the household" does not include a youth participating in the Extended Foster Care Program.

D. The department shall establish by regulation requirements and procedures consistent with the provisions of R.S. 15:587.1 under which such determination shall be made. For those listed in Subsection A, B, or C of this Section, this regulation shall include the requirement and the procedure for the submission of fingerprints in a form acceptable to the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information.

E.(1) The department shall establish by regulation requirements and procedures consistent with the provision of R.S. 15:587.1 under which the organizations listed in Subsection F of this Section may request information concerning whether or not a person in one of the following categories has been arrested for or convicted of or pled nolo contendere to any criminal offense:

(a) Employees.

(b) Candidates for employment.

(c) Volunteer workers.

(d) Repealed by Acts 2017, No. 348, §5.

(2) This information may be requested only about a person who has, or has applied or volunteered for, a position in the organization which includes supervisory or disciplinary authority over children.

F. Any responsible officer or official, as the department may determine, of the following organizations or the department may request the specified criminal history information:

(1) A child-placing agency, maternity home, or residential home as defined in R.S. 46:1403 or a juvenile detention facility.

(2) Any other organization that the department determines, upon request of the organization, to have supervisory or disciplinary authority over children outside of the home to such extent that the department determines that the well-being and safety of children justifies giving the organization access to the specified criminal history information of those who work or have volunteered to work with the organization.

(3)(a) Any other child care provider organization with the prior written consent of the person whose criminal history information is being requested. As used in this Paragraph, the term "child care" means the provision of care, treatment, education, training, instruction, supervision, or recreation to children by persons having unsupervised access to a child. The check shall be conducted by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, division of state police, for a reasonable fee established by the department. As used in this Paragraph, the term "provider" shall include a person who is employed by or volunteers with a child care provider organization. As used in this Paragraph, the term "child care provider organization" shall include but not be limited to "Big Brother/Sister" programs and scouting programs.

(b) The Department of Public Safety and Corrections, division of state police, shall not be liable in civil damages for failure to provide the criminal history checks requested nor shall the child care provider be liable in civil damages for failure to make such a request.

G. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department is prohibited from receiving or releasing the results of a national criminal history check unless the receipt or release is permitted by federal law or regulation.

H.(1) The department shall execute a survey to assess the impact and cost of conducting national criminal history records checks and all arrest records checks on potential owners, operators, employees, and volunteers of a child-placing agency, maternity home, residential home, or juvenile detention facility licensed by the department and develop a statewide implementation plan prior to requesting that funds be appropriated for conducting the searches. The department shall submit a report of the survey results, anticipated costs, and implementation plan to the legislature for their consideration in appropriation decisions. The department shall implement the plan to conduct national criminal history records checks on potential owners, operators, employees, or volunteers of a child-placing agency, maternity home, residential home, or juvenile detention facility licensed by the department only upon the appropriation of funds by the legislature for such purpose.

(2) Upon appropriation of funds by the legislature and implementation of the plan in accordance with Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information shall make available to the department, all criminal history record information as defined in R.S. 15:576 related to potential owners, operators, employees, or volunteers of a child-placing agency, maternity home, residential home, or juvenile detention facility licensed by the department.

(3) Upon appropriation of funds by the legislature and implementation of the plan in accordance with Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information shall facilitate national criminal history record checks of potential owners, operators, or employees, or volunteers of a child-placing agency, maternity home, residential home, or juvenile detention facility licensed by the department by receiving and forwarding fingerprint cards to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The department is authorized to receive and screen the results of the state and national criminal history record checks in order to assess the criminal history of a potential owner, operator, employee, or volunteer of a child-placing agency, maternity home, residential home, or juvenile detention facility licensed by the department. The department shall maintain the confidentiality of criminal history information received in accordance with applicable federal or state law.

Acts 1986, No. 760, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 1987; Acts 1989, No. 14, §3; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 55, §1, eff. July 7, 1994; Acts 1997, No. 1067, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1144, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2008, No. 649, §3; Acts 2009, No. 47, §1, eff. June 15, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 221, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2014, No. 406, §1; Acts 2017, No. 348, §§3, 5, special eff. date; Acts 2019, No. 33, §1; Acts 2025, No. 261, §4; Acts 2025, No. 409, §6.

*NOTE: See Acts 1985, No. 286.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2166 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2166
Composition of the commission
Status: in_force

A. The commission shall be composed of the following members:

(1) The president of the Louisiana Senate or his designee.

(2) The speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives or his designee.

(3) The attorney general of the state of Louisiana or his designee.

(4) The secretary of Louisiana Works or his designee.

(5) The state superintendent of education or his designee.

(6) The deputy secretary of the office of juvenile justice of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections or his designee.

(7) The secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services or his designee.

(8) The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health or his designee.

(9) The secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections or his designee.

(10) The superintendent of the Louisiana State Police or his designee.

(11) The president of the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police or his designee.

(12) The executive director of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association or his designee.

(13) The chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court or his designee.

(14) A representative of the Human Trafficking Prevention Commission Advisory Board selected by its members.

(15) The executive director of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice.

(16) The state public defender or his designee.

(17) The executive director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association or his designee.

(18) The executive director of the governor's office of human trafficking prevention.

B. At the first meeting, the members of the commission shall elect from their membership a chairman and a secretary and such other offices as the commission may deem advisable. The president of the Senate or his designee shall preside over the commission until a chairman is elected by the commission.

C. Each member of the commission shall serve for a term concurrent with that of the governor.

D.(1) Each member shall be entitled to designate a single individual as his proxy for the duration of the member's term to serve on any occasion that the member is unable to attend a meeting of the commission. The term of the designated proxy shall be the same as that of the member. A member appointing a designated proxy shall make his appointment known to the chairperson and to the secretary of the commission.

(2) The proxy appointed by a member shall not be subject to the same nominating and appointment procedures that are required for the member for whom he is serving.

(3) No individual shall serve as proxy pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection for more than one member of the commission.

E. Legislative members of the commission shall receive the same per diem and reimbursement of travel expenses as is provided for legislative committees under the rules of the respective houses in which they serve. Nonlegislative commission members shall serve without compensation or per diem.

Acts 2017, No. 181, §1, eff. June 12, 2017; Acts 2021, No. 352, §2, eff. June 17, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:236.1.7 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 236.1.7
Family and child support programs; liability
Status: in_force

A. The district attorney, department, and their respective staff acting pursuant to this Subpart and R.S. 9:396(B) shall be immune from civil liability that otherwise might be incurred or imposed. Such immunity shall extend to participation in any judicial proceeding resulting from any actions under this Subpart but shall not limit or otherwise affect the liability of any person for damages resulting from such person's gross negligence or from his reckless, wanton, or intentional misconduct.

B. Any attorney initiating legal proceedings pursuant to this Subpart and Titles IV-D and IV-A of the Social Security Act shall represent the state of Louisiana, Department of Children and Family Services exclusively. An attorney-client relationship shall not exist between the attorney and any applicant or recipient of child support enforcement services for and on behalf of a child or children, without regard to the name in which legal proceedings are initiated. In those cases in which the Department of Children and Family Services is providing child support services, the attorney representing the department shall not represent any party in matters involving custody or visitation. The provisions of this Subsection shall apply to a staff attorney in the child support enforcement section of the Department of Children and Family Services, district attorney, or contract attorney providing support services pursuant to Title IV-D.

C. In the course of carrying out the provisions of this Subpart, no employees of the state shall be exempt from civil liability.

Acts 2003, No. 1068, §2, eff. July 2, 2003; Acts 2012, No. 255, §7.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2525 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2525
Louisiana Women's Policy and Research Commission
Status: in_force

A. The Louisiana Women's Policy and Research Commission (hereafter "commission") is established in the executive department, governor's Office on Women's Policy.

B. The duties of the commission shall include but are not limited to the following:

(1) Advising the governor, through the executive director of women's policy, on the particular hardships, concerns, and needs that challenge women in Louisiana and their possible solutions.

(2) Identifying and analyzing trends that negatively impact the health and prosperity of women in Louisiana.

(3) Monitoring the status of women in Louisiana for the purpose of evaluating their economic, educational, health concerns, needs, and hardships.

C. The commission shall submit detailed annual reports to the governor, through the executive director of women's policy, which address the issues set forth in Subsection B of this Section.

D. The commission shall consist of a maximum of twenty-five members. The thirteen members serving pursuant to Paragraph (12) of this Subsection shall be appointed by the governor, subject to Senate confirmation, and serve terms concurrent with the appointing governor. The commission shall be reflective of all geographic regions of the state and, as much as possible, shall consist of the following members:

(1) The commissioner of administration or the commissioner's designee.

(2) The secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services or the secretary's designee.

(3) The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health or the secretary's designee.

(4) The superintendent of the Department of Education or the superintendent's designee.

(5) The secretary of Louisiana Works or the secretary's designee.

(6) The executive director of the Office on Women's Policy or the executive director's designee.

(7) The executive director of the Children's Cabinet or the executive director's designee.

(8) Two members of the Women's Legislative Caucus.

(9) The commissioner of higher education or the commissioner's designee.

(10) The chairperson of the Women's Legislative Caucus or her designee.

(11) The secretary of Louisiana of Economic Development or the secretary's designee.

(12) Thirteen Louisiana women who have significant academic or professional expertise in one or more of the following areas:

(a) Business or industry.

(b) Economics.

(c) Education.

(d) Demographics.

(e) Public health.

(f) Law.

(g) Social science and/or social work.

(h) Violence against women.

(i) Gender studies.

(j) Youth organization focused solely on girls.

(k) Women’s organization.

E. The governor shall appoint the chairperson of the commission from its membership. All other officers shall be elected by the membership of the commission.

F. The commission shall meet at regularly scheduled intervals and at the call of the chairperson.

G. Support staff for the commission and facilities for its meetings shall be provided by the governor's Office on Women's Policy.

H. Commission members shall not receive additional compensation, a per diem, or travel expenses from the Office on Women's Policy.

Acts 2003, No. 668, §2, eff. June 27, 2003; Acts 2004, No. 518, §1; Acts 2008, No. 743, §7, eff. July 1, 2008; Acts 2010, No. 774, §1, eff. June 30, 2010; Acts 2010, No. 774, §1, eff. June 30, 2010; Acts 2010, No. 877, §3, eff. July 1, 2010.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2594 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2594
Mandatory policy ensuring compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act
Status: in_force

A. Each agency head shall develop and implement a policy to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act which is applicable to all public servants of the agency, applicants for employment at the agency, and members of the general public who seek or receive services or benefits from the agency.

B. Based on the business needs and organizational structure of the agency, the required policy may be formatted as a single policy, comprehensive policy, or comprised of multiple policies tailored to the specific facility, audience, or Titles of the Americans with Disabilities Act. At a minimum, the policy shall contain all of the following:

(1) It shall express the agency's commitment to engaging in the interactive process and providing reasonable accommodations to any individual with a disability for purposes of participating in the application and interview process, performing the essential functions of the job, providing equal opportunity to access the benefits and privileges of employment, ensuring effective communication, and providing equal opportunity to access the agency's programs, services, activities, and facilities.

(2) It shall provide for designating an Americans with Disabilities Act agency coordinator.

(3) It shall include a general description of the accommodation request process and indicate to whom such requests should be addressed if not to the Americans with Disabilities Act agency coordinator.

(4) It shall provide for documentation of the interactive process, including accommodation requested and discussed, any other equally effective accommodations identified, business reasons for decisions made, and actions taken on the accommodation request.

(5) It shall specify an effective grievance process for prompt resolution of complaints regarding disposition of accommodation requests or alleging any action prohibited by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

(6) It shall include a clear prohibition against harassment, discrimination, or retaliation against an individual related to exercising or aiding in the exercise of Americans with Disabilities Act rights or for having a relationship or association with another individual with a known disability.

Acts 2022, No. 103, §2, eff. May 25, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1957 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1957
Precautions for operators of motor vehicles approaching pedestrians with disabilities
Status: in_force

A. Operators of motor vehicles approaching a pedestrian with a disability who is carrying a cane predominantly white in color, with or without a red tip, or a pedestrian with a disability using a service dog shall take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to such pedestrian.

B. Any such operator who fails to take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to a pedestrian with a disability shall be liable in damages for any injury caused to the pedestrian and any injury caused to the pedestrian's service dog.

C. No operator of a motor vehicle shall drive into or upon any crosswalk while a pedestrian with a disability is on the crosswalk or crossing or attempting to cross the crosswalk if such pedestrian indicates his intention to cross or to continue to cross the crosswalk. Failure by the pedestrian to signal his intention to cross the crossway shall not deprive him of the right-of-way given to him by other applicable law or regulation.

Acts 1993, No. 482, §1; Acts 2014, No. 492, §1; Acts 2014, No. 811, §24, eff. June 23, 2014.

NOTE: Acts 1993, No. 763, §1 amended prior R.S. 46:1952(A), (B), and (C), 1953(D), and 1954 and enacted R.S. 46:1953(E). Acts 1993, No. 482, §1 amended and reenacted the entire Chapter. The Chapter appears as in Act No. 482. The Louisiana State Law Institute printed the provisions of Act No. 763 as a note at the head of this Chapter.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:447.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 447.2
Pregnant women and infants; access to health care; expansion of Medicaid eligibility
Status: in_force

A. The legislature hereby finds and declares that:

(1) Early, high quality, comprehensive prenatal care is the most effective means for reducing the state's rate of infant mortality. Despite this finding, the legislature has determined that universal access to prenatal care has not been achieved in Louisiana.

(2) It is the intent of the legislature that certain pregnant women and infants, regardless of their economic status, geographic location, or ethnic background, have access to appropriate healthcare services.

B. The department shall amend the Medicaid state plan to provide for:

(1) Eligibility for Medicaid services for all pregnant women with an income of up to one hundred eighty-five percent of the applicable federal poverty guideline as published in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

(2) Eligibility criteria for Medicaid services for pregnant adolescents based on the income of the pregnant adolescent and not on the income of her parents.

(3) A program of care coordination for high-risk pregnant women. The care coordination program shall include the following components:

(a) Manageable case loads, outcome evaluations, and home visitations.

(b) Risk assessments to identify priority needs and areas of the state.

(c) A full range of family services.

(d) Maximum utilization of federal matching funds through block grants and entitlement programs.

(e) The use of skilled professional and trained volunteers as part of community-based care coordination teams.

(f) Utilization of the private sector's resources or the establishment of public and private partnerships.

C. The department shall establish procedures to simplify the Medicaid eligibility process. At a minimum, these procedures shall include:

(1) A simplified application form on which applicants may provide all of the information necessary to determine eligibility for Medicaid.

(2) Provisions for receipt and initial processing of applications for medical assistance at locations which are frequented by persons likely to be eligible for services.

D. The department shall promulgate regulations requiring that all public health programs which render prenatal, postpartum, or infant healthcare services shall provide at a minimum for the following:

(1) Expanded or flex-time hours of operation so that healthcare services are available to pregnant women and children during evening and weekend hours.

(2) An initial appointment within two weeks of request and minimal waiting time to receive services after entering a healthcare facility.

(3) Procedures to assure that pregnant women are receiving and continue to receive prenatal services.

E. The department shall develop and implement:

(1) A program to enhance the courteous and professional delivery of health services through staff training and effective personnel recruitment and retention policies. This program shall include staff development programs to improve cultural sensitivity and interpersonal skills as well as training in providing specialized assistance to women who have low literacy skills or for whom English is a second language.

(2) A program to develop innovative recruitment techniques to enroll private providers in the Medicaid program.

F. The provisions of this Section shall not be implemented unless the department can finance the expansion through self-generated revenues.

Acts 1992, No. 790, §1; Acts 2018, No. 206, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2171 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2171
Statement of purpose
Status: in_force

The legislature hereby finds and declares that there is a present and growing need to develop innovative strategies and services which will reduce and treat the trauma of stranger and acquaintance stalking. The nature of stalking allegations are sometimes not easily substantiated to meet the prosecution's burden of proving the case beyond a reasonable doubt, and victims of stalking are left without protection. Orders of protection are a proven deterrent that can protect victims of stalking from further victimization; however, many victims are forced to pursue civil orders of protection through ordinary process, often unrepresented, rather than through a shortened, summary proceeding. Additionally, victims of stalking are not always aware of the vast resources available to assist them in recovering from the trauma associated with being a victim of stalking. It is the intent of the legislature to provide a civil remedy for victims of stalking that will afford the victim immediate and easily accessible protection.

Acts 2014, No. 355, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2708 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2708
Penalties
Status: in_force

A. A commercial user who willfully and knowingly violates the provisions of R.S. 46:2703 shall be subject to a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than ninety days, or both.

B. A commercial user is not in violation of this Chapter if the specific recalled product sold was not on the consumer protection section's list thirty days before the sale.

Acts 2001, No. 1164, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:288.4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 288.4
Extended foster care voluntary placement agreement
Status: in_force

A. If a youth chooses to participate in extended foster care services and meets the eligibility criteria set forth in R.S. 46:288.3(A), the department and the youth shall sign an extended foster care voluntary placement agreement that shall include, at a minimum, the following:

(1) The obligation for the youth to continue to meet the conditions for eligibility set forth in R.S. 46:288.3(A) for the duration of the voluntary extended foster care agreement.

(2) Any obligation considered necessary by the department for the youth to continue to receive extended foster care services if the youth is eligible for those services.

(3) Any obligation considered necessary by the department to facilitate the youth's continued success in the program.

(4) Termination of an extended foster care voluntary placement agreement and program participation as set forth in R.S. 46:288.8.

(5) The voluntary nature of the youth's participation in receiving extended foster care services.

(6) The opportunity for a fair hearing if the youth believes that he has been denied extended foster care services or that his request has not been acted upon with reasonable promptness.

B. Once the department determines that a youth is eligible and the youth signs the extended foster care voluntary placement agreement, the department may provide extended foster care services to the youth in accordance with this Subpart.

C. Acceptance of these benefits and services shall in no way deprive the youth in foster care of any rights or obligations conferred by attaining the age of majority.

Acts 2019, No. 400, §2, eff. June 19, 2019.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:236.11.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 236.11.1
Notice of payment
Status: in_force

A. When a court orders income to be withheld in accordance with R.S. 9:303 or R.S. 46:236.3, it shall order the income to be paid to the state disbursement unit within the department.

B. To redirect payments in accordance with R.S. 46:236.10, the department shall issue a notice to the obligor, obligee, and employer that income withheld for child support shall be paid to the state disbursement unit. A copy of the notice shall be filed with the court of continuing jurisdiction and the clerk of court shall file it in the appropriate case file.

C. The notice shall include all of the following:

(1) The name of the child and the name of the obligee.

(2) The caption and docket number of the case in which support is ordered.

(3) Instructions for the payment of support to the state disbursement unit.

D. The notice may be used by the department to redirect child support payments from the state disbursement unit of this state to the state disbursement unit of another state in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 654b.

Acts 2009, No. 241, §1; Acts 2010, No. 238, §4; Acts 2018, No. 206, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:977.11 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 977.11
Right of recovery; assistance payments; medical expenses
Status: in_force

The provisions of R.S. 46:153 and 446 relative to the department's right to recover shall apply to assistance payments and medical expenses provided to children pursuant to this Part.

Acts 2007, No. 407, §1, eff. July 10, 2007.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2262.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2262.1
Bill of Rights
Status: in_force

In order to ensure that children who are deaf or hard of hearing have the same rights and potential to become independent and self-actualizing as children who are not deaf or hard of hearing, the Deaf Child's Bill of Rights is established so that children who are deaf or hard of hearing are entitled:

(1) To appropriate screening and assessment of hearing and vision capabilities and communication and language needs at the earliest possible age and to the continuation of screening services throughout the educational experience.

(2) To early intervention to provide for acquisition of the language base developed at the earliest possible age.

(3) To their parents' or guardians' full and informed participation in their educational planning.

(4) To adult role models who are deaf or hard of hearing.

(5) To meet and associate with their peers.

(6) To qualified teachers, interpreters, and resource personnel who communicate effectively with the child in the child's mode of communication.

(7) To placement best suited to the child's individual needs, including but not limited to social, emotional, cultural needs, age, hearing loss, academic level, modes of communication, styles of learning, motivational level, and family support.

(8) To individual considerations for free and appropriate education across a full spectrum of educational programs.

(9) To full support services provided by qualified professionals in their educational settings.

(10) To full access to all programs in their educational settings.

(11) To have the public fully informed concerning medical, cultural, and linguistic issues of deafness and hearing loss.

(12) Where appropriate, to have deaf and hard of hearing adults directly involved in determining the extent, content, and purpose of all programs that affect their education.

Acts 1993, No. 395, §1; Acts 2017, No. 146, §11.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:937.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 937.2
Funding
Status: in_force

NOTE: §937.2 eff. until one or more of the 20 depts. of the executive branch is abolished or a const. amend. authorizing the creation of an additional dept. becomes effective, whichever is earlier. See Acts 2013, No. 384, §§5 and 9.

Funding for this program shall be provided by:

(1) That portion of appropriations from the state general fund to the parish voluntary councils on aging not needed to match the federal Older Americans Act or other matching fund programs. In January of each year, the office shall certify to the legislature and to the councils on aging the amount of funds available under this program.

(2) Persons eligible for the program shall be assessed an appropriate fee on a sliding scale based upon the person's ability to pay. The fee scale shall be established by the office by regulation and shall provide a minimum income level below which no fee shall be assessed. Fees collected pursuant to this program shall be maintained separate from other funds and shall be used only for the purposes of increasing the provision of any of the services allowed under this program to eligible persons.

NOTE: §937.2 as amended by Acts 2013, No. 384, §5, eff. when one or more of the 20 depts. of the executive branch is abolished or a const. amend. authorizing the creation of an additional dept. becomes effective, whichever is earlier.

Funding for the frail elderly program shall be provided by:

(1) That portion of appropriations from the state general fund to the parish voluntary councils on aging not needed to match the federal Older Americans Act or other matching fund programs. In January of each year, the department shall certify to the legislature and to the councils on aging the amount of funds available under this program.

(2) Persons eligible for the program shall be assessed an appropriate fee on a sliding scale based upon the person's ability to pay. The fee scale shall be established by the department by regulation and shall provide a minimum income level below which no fee shall be assessed. Fees collected pursuant to this program shall be maintained separate from other funds and shall be used only for the purposes of increasing the provision of any of the services allowed under this program to eligible persons.

Acts 1992, No. 358, §1, eff. June 17, 1992; Acts 2013, No. 384, §5, eff. when one of the 20 executive branch depts. is abolished or a const. amend. authorizing creation of an additional dept. becomes effective, whichever is earlier.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:501 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 501
Alms fund in certain parishes and cities
Status: in_force

For the creation of an "alms fund" to care and provide for the poor, indigent and destitute persons of the parishes and cities, the governing authorities of those parishes of the state which contain a city of not less than twenty-five thousand nor more than one hundred thousand inhabitants, shall set aside ten percent of all fines and forfeitures of bonds in criminal cases collected by the district court for violations of the laws of the state and parish, while holding sessions in the parish. The cities having a population of not less than twenty-five thousand nor more than one hundred thousand inhabitants shall likewise set aside ten percent of all fines and forfeitures of bonds given in criminal cases, collected in and by the municipal court, which fines have been assessed for the infractions of municipal ordinances.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:55 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 55
Duties of the parish office
Status: in_force

Under rules and regulations of the department, the parish offices shall administer all forms of public assistance in the parish and such other welfare activities as are required by R.S. 36:258(C) and as may be delegated to it by the department.

NOTE: §55 as repealed by Acts 2025, No. 478, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.

§55. Repealed by Acts 2025, No. 478, §17, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.

Acts 1978, No. 786, §6, eff. July 17, 1978; Acts 2025, No. 478, §17, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:351 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 351
Declaration
Status: in_force

A. It is the policy of this state to encourage self-sufficiency so that residents of Louisiana may reduce dependence on public benefits to meet basic needs and become economically self-reliant, and to provide key supports to residents to help them in achieving their workforce participation goals.

B. In order to promote inclusive leadership, ensure equal access to professional growth opportunities, and achieve the goals and objectives of the initiative established by Act No. 271 of the 2018 Regular Session of the Legislature, it is imperative to encourage participation by the public in the design of the program and to implement the program in collaboration with an advisory board comprising a diverse membership.

Acts 2018, No. 271, §1; Acts 2022, No. 506, §1, eff. June 16, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2617 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2617
Obesity annual action plan; submission; content
Status: in_force

The Louisiana Department of Health shall submit an action plan, after consulting with and receiving comments from the medical director of each of its contracted Medicaid partners, to the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare and the House Committee on Health and Welfare no later than February first of each year on the following:

(1) The financial impact and reach obesity is having on the state of Louisiana and its residents. Items included in this assessment shall include the number of lives with obesity covered by Medicaid through the Louisiana Department of Health and its contracted partners, the number of lives with obesity impacted by the prevention and control programs implemented by the Louisiana Department of Health and its contracted partners, the financial cost obesity and its complications place on the Louisiana Department of Health and its contracted partners, and the financial cost obesity and its complications places on the Louisiana Department of Health and its contracted partners in comparison to other chronic diseases and conditions.

(2) An assessment of the benefits of implemented programs and activities aimed at controlling obesity and preventing the disease.

(3) A description of the level of coordination existing between the Louisiana Department of Health, its contracted partners, and other stakeholders on activities, programmatic activities, and the level of communication on managing, treating, or preventing obesity and its complications.

(4) The development of a detailed action plan for battling obesity with a range of actionable items. The plan shall identify proposed action steps to reduce the impact of obesity and related obesity complications. The plan shall identify expected outcomes of the action steps proposed while establishing benchmarks for controlling and preventing obesity.

(5) The development of a detailed budget blueprint identifying needs, costs, and resources to implement the plan identified in Paragraph (4) of this Section.

Acts 2013, No. 210, §1, eff. June 10, 2013.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2411 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2411
Definitions
Status: in_force

Except where the context clearly indicates otherwise in this Chapter:

(1) "Court" means any court which is exercising juvenile jurisdiction pursuant to the Constitution of Louisiana and the Children's Code. If any court is comprised of separate divisions or sections, each such division or section shall be deemed a court for the purposes of this Chapter. Where applicable, "court" shall refer to the particular court which exercises juvenile jurisdiction over the child whose case is to be reviewed.

(2) "Department" means the Department of Children and Family Services.

(3) "Foster care" means the provision of temporary twenty-four hour care for a child for a planned period of time, when the child is placed away from his parents or other person acting as his parent, and when the child is placed in a foster family home, group home, or other child caring facility, but remains under the supervision of the department.

(4) "Mature child" means a child who is able to understand the circumstances and implications of the situation in which he is involved and is able to participate in the decision-making process without excessive anxiety or fear. A child who is fourteen years of age or older is presumed to be a mature child.

(5) "Parent" means the biological or adoptive parent whose parental rights toward the child have not been terminated.

(6) "Records" means any information in written form, pictures, photographs, charts, graphs, recordings, or documents pertaining to the case being reviewed.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 610, §1, eff. July 1, 1984; Acts 2021, No. 158, §6.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:460.8 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 460.8
TANF eligibility; teen parent living arrangements; work participation requirements; submission of waiver
Status: in_force

NOTE: Paragraph (A)(1) eff. until Oct. 1, 2027. See Acts 2025, No. 478.

A.(1) Any recipient of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant (TANF) benefits who is less than eighteen years of age, is not married, and is a custodial parent shall live in an approved adult-supervised living arrangement with his or her child, except when evidence is presented to a caseworker of the Department of Children and Family Services that the teen parent, or his or her child, has been subjected to emotional or physical abuse. If the caseworker determines that the teen parent, or his or her child, has been subjected to the abuse of an adult with whom they are living in a primary relationship and that under the circumstances the teen, and his or her child, would be safer living outside the present adult-supervised living arrangement, then the teen parent and child shall be allowed to live outside such living arrangement temporarily. If the teen parent leaves his or her such living arrangement, the caseworker shall monitor the teen's case no less frequently than once a month and shall assist the teen parent in locating another approved adult-supervised living arrangement, taking into consideration the needs and concerns of the teen parent and child. The teen parent shall be allowed to receive TANF benefits on behalf of himself or herself, and his or her child, while temporarily living outside an adult-supervised living arrangement as provided in this Subsection.

NOTE: Paragraph (A)(1) as amended by Acts 2025, No. 478, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.

A.(1)(a) Any recipient of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant (TANF) benefits who is less than eighteen years of age, is not married, and is a custodial parent shall live in an approved adult-supervised living arrangement with his child, except when evidence is presented to a caseworker of Louisiana Works that the teen parent, or his child, has been subjected to emotional or physical abuse.

(b)(i) If the caseworker determines that the teen parent, or his child, has been subjected to the abuse of an adult with whom they are living in a primary relationship and that under the circumstances the teen, and his child, would be safer living outside the present adult-supervised living arrangement, then the teen parent and child shall be allowed to live outside the adult-supervised living arrangement temporarily.

(ii) If the teen parent leaves the adult-supervised living arrangement, the caseworker shall monitor the teen's case no less frequently than once a month and shall assist the teen parent in locating another approved adult-supervised living arrangement, taking into consideration the needs and concerns of the teen parent and child.

(c) The teen parent shall be allowed to receive TANF benefits on behalf of himself, and his child, while temporarily living outside an adult-supervised living arrangement as provided in this Subsection.

(2) Work-eligible, minor parents with children who have not yet received a high school diploma or equivalency shall attend school or related education classes designed to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent. School attendance shall be the primary work activity for those minor parents who do not have a high school diploma or equivalency. These expectations shall become part of the recipient's Family Success Agreement. Minor parents who fail to participate in these activities are subject to sanction for non-participation and are considered to be out of compliance with a Family Success Agreement.

NOTE: Subsection B eff. until Oct. 1, 2027. See Acts 2025, No. 478.

B. The secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services may temporarily exempt from the work participation requirements any female who is in a two-parent TANF family who presents sufficient evidence to support a claim that she has been incapable of maintaining a job or regularly reporting to her place of employment because she is a victim of domestic violence and has been forced to move into a shelter or another protective environment outside her home.

NOTE: Subsection B as amended by Acts 2025, No. 478, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.

B. The secretary of Louisiana Works may temporarily exempt from the work participation requirements any female who is in a two-parent TANF family who presents sufficient evidence to support a claim that she has been incapable of maintaining a job or regularly reporting to her place of employment because she is a victim of domestic violence and has been forced to move into a shelter or another protective environment outside her home.

C. Repealed by Acts 2013, No. 285, §2, eff. June 14, 2013.

Acts 1997, No. 774, §1; Acts 2003, No. 58, §1; Acts 2013, No. 285, §2, eff. June 14, 2013; Acts 2025, No. 478, §13, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2552 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2552
Prevention of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases; agency cooperation
Status: in_force

A. The state superintendent of education, the secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services, and the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health shall meet together not less than twice annually to review and evaluate the effectiveness of current state programs, including but not limited to sex education provided by public schools, aimed at reducing the rate of teen pregnancy and preventing the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases among the youth of Louisiana.

B. The state superintendent of education, the secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services, and the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health shall review and evaluate any programs that are available for implementation in Louisiana to educate the youth of Louisiana about the importance of preventing teen pregnancy and the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases by providing culturally competent education and outreach.

Acts 2014, No. 534, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1846 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1846
Communication between offender and victim prohibited; exceptions
Status: in_force

A. A person who has been charged by bill of information or indictment with any crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2 committed upon any person, any felony sex offense as defined in R.S. 46:1844(W) committed upon any person, any felony human trafficking-related offense as defined in R.S. 46:1844(W) committed upon any person, or any offense, that is a felony, committed upon a family member, household member, or dating partner, as those terms are defined by R.S. 46:2132, or any immediate family member of such person, shall be prohibited from communicating, either by electronic communication, in writing, or orally, with a victim of the offense, or any of his immediate family members for which the person has been charged or for which disposition of the case is pending.

B. The provisions of Subsection A of this Section shall apply to communication between the offender or his immediate family member and the victim, or any of his immediate family members, unless the provisions of Paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Subsection are satisfied.

(1) The victim consents to the communication through the local prosecuting agency.

(2) The communication is made through the counsel of the offender, counsel's staff or representative, or the offender himself if he is representing himself at trial.

C. A person who has been sentenced or found not guilty by reason of insanity for a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2 committed upon any person, any felony sex offense as defined in R.S. 46:1844(W) committed upon any person, any felony human trafficking-related offense as defined in R.S. 46:1844(W) committed upon any person, or any offense, that is a felony, committed upon a family member, household member, or dating partner, as those terms are defined by R.S. 46:2132, or any immediate family member of such person, shall be prohibited from communicating, either by electronic communication, in writing, or orally, with a victim of the offense, or any of his immediate family members, for which the person has been sentenced unless the victim or his immediate family members initiate the communication through the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, and it is agreed that the victim and the offender participate in a formally defined restorative justice program administered through the department. Any sentencing order issued pursuant to this Subsection shall be reflected in the sentencing minutes of the issuing court. The issuing court shall notify the Department of Public Safety and Corrections of the issuance of the sentencing order.

D. For purposes of this Section, "immediate family member" means the spouse, mother, father, aunt, uncle, sibling, or child of the offender, whether related by blood, marriage, or adoption.

E.(1) When a person is prohibited from communicating with another person pursuant to the provisions of this Section, a judge shall cause to have prepared a Uniform Abuse Prevention Order, as provided in R.S. 46:2136.2(C), to protect, at a minimum, a victim and the children of the victim, shall sign such order, and shall immediately forward it to the clerk of court for filing, on the next business day after the order is issued. The clerk of the issuing court shall transmit the Uniform Abuse Prevention Order to the judicial administrator's office, Louisiana Supreme Court, for entry into the Louisiana Protective Order Registry, as provided in R.S. 46:2136.2(A), by facsimile transmission or direct electronic input as expeditiously as possible, but no later than the end of the next business day after the order is filed with the clerk of court. The clerk of the issuing court shall also send a copy of the Uniform Abuse Prevention Order, or any modification thereof, to the chief law enforcement officer of the parish where the person or persons protected by the order reside. A copy of the Uniform Abuse Prevention Order shall be retained on file in the office of the chief law enforcement officer until otherwise directed by the court.

(2) If an order is issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section, it shall be presumed that the defendant poses a credible threat to the physical safety of the person or persons protected by the order, and the court shall order that the defendant be prohibited from possessing a firearm for the duration of the Uniform Abuse Prevention Order.

F. Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be subject to the provisions of R.S. 14:79.

Acts 2008, No. 291, §1; Acts 2012, No. 245, §1; Acts 2018, No. 293, §2; Acts 2020, No. 246, §4.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2752 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2752
Rules; meetings; officers
Status: in_force

A. The commission shall adopt such rules and procedures as it shall find necessary for the conduct of the activities and meetings of the commission.

B. No action shall be taken by the commission except by a favorable vote of a majority of the members. A quorum of the commission shall consist of a majority of the total membership thereof, and in the case of a vacancy, a quorum will consist of the majority of the remaining members.

C. The commission shall meet no later than January 15, 2021, and shall meet at such other times as necessary to accomplish its purposes.

D. The commission shall meet at least once each quarter.

E. The commission shall elect additional officers as it finds necessary.

Acts 2003, No. 1225, §5; Acts 2020, 2 nd Ex. Sess., No. 28, §1, eff. Oct. 28, 2020.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:446 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 446
Recovery of medical assistance payments; notice; pleadings; compromise; prescription; privilege for reimbursement of Medicaid payments
Status: in_force

A. As used in this Section, the following terms have the meaning ascribed in this Subsection:

(1) "Department" means the Louisiana Department of Health.

(2) "Medicaid" means the medical assistance program provided for in Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

(3) "Medicaid managed care organization" means any private entity that contracts with the department to provide Medicaid benefits and services to enrollees of the Medicaid program.

B. When an injury has been sustained or an illness or death incurred by any person under circumstances creating in some third person or legal entity a legal liability or obligation to pay damages or compensation to that person or to his spouse, representative, or dependent, the department shall have a cause of action against such third party to recover the medical assistance payments the department has paid or is obligated to pay on behalf of the injured, ill, or deceased person in connection with the injury, illness, or death. The department, a Medicaid managed care organization, or both, may intervene in a suit filed by or on behalf of the injured, ill, or deceased person or his spouse, representative, or dependent against such third party to recover the medical assistance payments the department, Medicaid managed care organization, or each, has paid or is obligated to pay on behalf of the injured, ill, or deceased person in connection with said injury, illness, or death.

C. Any person or his spouse, representative, or dependent who files suit for the recovery of damages or compensation as the result of an injury, illness, or death for which medical assistance payments in whole or in part have been paid by the department, a Medicaid managed care organization, or both, for which the department, Medicaid managed care organization, or each, has an obligation to pay therefor, shall at the time suit is filed cause a copy of the petition to be served on the department, Medicaid managed care organization, or both, in the manner prescribed by Article 1313 of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure. Such person filing suit shall be responsible to the department, Medicaid managed care organization, or both, to the extent of the medical assistance payments received, interest, and attorney fees if he fails to have service made upon the department, Medicaid managed care organization, or both. Such person shall also be responsible to the department, Medicaid managed care organization, or both, if he compromises his claim without giving the department, Medicaid managed care organization, or both, written notice at least thirty days before the compromise is affected. This written notice shall include the name and date of birth of all injured or ill recipients and the name and address of the party or parties potentially liable for damages or compensation.

D. Pleadings filed on behalf of the department or Medicaid managed care organization shall be accompanied by an itemized statement of its monetary claim, and when accompanied by an affidavit to the correctness thereof to the best of the affiant's knowledge and belief, such itemized statement shall be accepted as prima facie proof of the amount, purpose, and necessity of such payments.

E. No compromise of any claim referred to in Subsections B and C of this Section shall be binding upon or affect the rights of the department or a Medicaid managed care organization against a third party if the department or Medicaid managed care organization has notified such third party in writing of the amount of its claim prior to the date the compromise settlement is made. The notice provided for herein may be directed to either the third party or his agent.

F. An intervention filed by the department or a Medicaid managed care organization as provided by Subsection B of this Section is not barred by prescription if it was not barred at the time the main demand was filed, provided such intervention is filed within ninety days of the date of service of the main demand upon the department.

G. The department and a Medicaid managed care organization shall have a privilege for the medical assistance payments made by the department or Medicaid managed care organization on behalf of an injured or ill Medicaid recipient on the amount payable to the injured recipient, his heirs, or legal representatives out of the total amount of any recovery or sum had, collected, or to be collected, whether by judgment, settlement, or compromise, from another person on account of such injuries, and on the amount payable by any insurance company under any contract providing for indemnity or compensation to the injured person. The privilege of an attorney shall have precedence over the privilege created under this Section.

H. The privilege created in Subsection G of this Section shall become effective if, prior to the payment of insurance proceeds, or to the payment of any judgment, settlement, or compromise on account of injuries, a written notice containing the name and address of the injured person, and if known, the name of the person alleged to be liable to the injured person on account of the injuries received, is mailed by the department, a Medicaid managed care organization, or an attorney or agent of either, by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the injured person, to his attorney, to the person alleged to be liable to the injured person on account of the injuries sustained, to any insurance carrier which has insured such person against liability, and to any insurance company obligated by contract to pay indemnity or compensation to the injured person. This privilege shall be effective against the persons given notice according to the provisions hereof, and shall not be defeated nor rendered ineffective as against the persons who have been given such notice, because of failure to give such notice to other persons named herein.

I. Any insurer, potentially liable third party, or other person who, having received notice in accordance with the provisions of this Section, pays over any monies subject to the privilege created herein to any injured person, or to the attorney, heirs, or legal representatives of any injured person, and any injured person, his legal representative, or attorney who receives monies subject to the privilege created in Subsection G of this Section shall be liable to the department, Medicaid managed care organization, or both, for the amount of the privilege not to exceed the amount paid by the insurer, potentially liable third party, or other person.

J. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to create any statutory lien or privilege on any life insurance proceeds or trust proceeds in favor of any third person.

Acts 1972, No. 411, §§1 to 5. Amended by Acts 1974, No. 362, §1; Acts 1978, No. 786, §6, eff. July 17, 1978; Acts 1983, 1st Ex.Sess., No. 1, §6; Acts 1997, No. 806, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1115, §1; Acts 2014, No. 824, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1096 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1096
Officers; meetings
Status: in_force

A. The commission shall elect one of its members chairman and one vice chairman.

B. At least five regular meetings shall be held annually. Special meetings may be held at such times and places as shall be specified by call of the chairman.

C. Meetings shall be open to the public. The commission shall have the right to discuss items in a confidential executive session.

Acts 2006, No. 830, §1, eff. July 5, 2006.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:460.85.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 460.85.1
Dental claims review panel; procedure
Status: in_force

A. The Dental Claims Review Panel, referred to hereafter in this Section as the "panel", is hereby created within the department. The duties of the panel shall pertain to the independent review of claims reviewed in accordance with R.S. 46:460.90.

B. The panel shall consist of the secretary or his duly designated representative and the following members appointed by the secretary:

(1) One representative from each dental coordinated care network.

(2) A number of dentist representatives equal to the number of representatives from dental coordinated care networks. Dentist representatives shall be nominated by the Louisiana Dental Association.

(3) The dean of the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry or his designee.

C. All decisions of the panel shall be made by a majority vote. The chairperson of the panel shall not be restricted to voting only in the event of a tie. The panel shall meet at least once per year. Panel members shall serve without compensation.

D.(1) The panel shall do all of the following:

(a) Select a chairperson.

(b) Select and identify an appropriate number of independent reviewers to comprise a reviewer pool in accordance with Paragraph (2) of this Subsection.

(c) Continually review the number and outcome of requests for reconsideration and independent reviews on an aggregated basis.

(2)(a) The reviewer pool selected by the Dental Claims Review Panel shall be comprised of dentists who are on the faculty of the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry and have agreed to applicable terms for compensation, confidentiality, and related provisions established by the department. The reviewer pool shall include:

(i) For each of the following specialties, at least one dentist who has completed a residency approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation in that specialty:

(aa) Periodontics.

(bb) Endodontics.

(cc) Prosthodontics.

(dd) Oral and maxillofacial surgery.

(ii) At least two dentists who have completed a residency approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation in pediatric dentistry.

(b)(i) The reviewer pool shall not include any dentist who is currently performing compensated services for a dental coordinated care network, whether the compensation is paid directly or through a contract with Louisiana State University School of Dentistry or other state entity, or has received any such compensation at any time in the prior twelve months.

(ii) The reviewer pool shall not include any dentist who has received reimbursement for dental services rendered to Medicaid patients in a private practice setting in the past sixty days. Louisiana State University School of Dentistry clinics, including Louisiana State University School of Dentistry faculty practice, shall not be considered a private practice setting for the purposes of determining eligibility to participate in the reviewer pool.

(c) No dentist shall be eligible to submit denied Medicaid claims for independent review while participating in the reviewer pool.

E. The panel shall not collect or accept any patient-identifying information for any reason.

F. The secretary shall report to the panel the name of any provider who submits ten or more requests for independent review along with the percentage of adverse determinations that are overturned.

Acts 2018, No. 284, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2122 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2122
Program creation
Status: in_force

A. From federal funds, state funds, or funds made available from private or local sources for this purpose, the office of children and family services within the Department of Children and Family Services is hereby authorized to establish a family violence program, hereafter called the "Family Violence Prevention and Intervention Program", for the development of community-based shelters for victims of family violence. The Department of Children and Family Services shall establish such program within the office of children and family services which shall be the recipient of any funds made available for the program.

B. The office of children and family services shall establish standards for the expenditure of state funds made available from federal, private, or local sources and shall assure the availability of personnel, resources, and equipment necessary for the purpose of the Chapter.

Added by Acts 1979, No. 746, §1; Acts 1985, No. 772, §2, eff. July 19, 1985; Acts 2009, No. 409, §5, eff. July 1, 2009.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:286 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 286
Foster home child care; reimbursement system; rules
Status: in_force

The Department of Children and Family Services shall establish a system for reimbursement of foster home child care costs based on the level of care for all foster children placed in foster homes providing temporary or long-term foster care for not more than six children receiving the services of the department. The department shall promulgate rules for implementation of the reimbursement system by January 1, 1995, but only if funds are made available by appropriation by the legislature, and shall submit such rules to the committees on health and welfare of the House of Representatives and the Senate in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. At a minimum, the department shall seek each year through the budgetary process funds sufficient to reimburse foster parents at a rate at least equal to the cost for child care as reported and published by the United States Department of Agriculture for the Southeastern United States.

Acts 1993, No. 848, §1; Acts 2018, No. 206, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1076.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1076.1
Mandatory ethics training
Status: in_force

As provided in R.S. 42:1170, certain hospital employees shall be exempt from mandatory ethics education and training.

Acts 2013, No. 422, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2366 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2366
Intermediary interpreter/transliterator to be used
Status: in_force

If a qualified interpreter/transliterator is unable to render a satisfactory interpretation/transliteration without the aid of an intermediary interpreter/transliterator, the appointing authority shall appoint and pay for an intermediary interpreter/transliterator to assist the qualified interpreter/transliterator, subject to the same provisions that govern a qualified interpreter/transliterator under this Chapter.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 135, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:460.72 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 460.72
Medicaid managed care organization provider notice
Status: in_force

A. Each Medicaid managed care organization shall comply with the following notice provisions regarding contracted provider status and ability to begin providing services and submitting claims for reimbursement:

(1) Any Medicaid managed care organization that contracts with or enrolls a provider into its provider network shall furnish written notice to the provider that informs the provider of the effective date of the contract and enrollment.

(2) Unless otherwise authorized by law, a provider shall not submit Medicaid reimbursement claims for any services provided prior to the effective date indicated in the written notice.

(3) The Medicaid managed care organization shall send the written notice required in this Subsection to the last mailing address and last email address submitted by the provider.

B. Each Medicaid managed care organization shall comply with the following notice provisions regarding contracted provider re-credentialing:

(1) Each Medicaid managed care organization shall provide a minimum of three written notices to a contracted provider with information regarding the re-credentialing process, including requirements and deadlines for compliance. The first notice shall be issued by the Medicaid managed care organization no later than six months prior to the expiration of the provider's current credentialing. The notice shall include the effective date of termination if the provider fails to meet the requirements and deadlines of the re-credentialing process.

(2) The Medicaid managed care organization shall send the written notices required in this Subsection to the last mailing address and last email address submitted by the provider.

(3) If the provider fails to timely submit all required documents and meet all re-credentialing requirements, the Medicaid managed care organization shall send a termination notice to the provider with an effective date of termination to be fifteen days after the date of the notice. The Medicaid managed care organization shall send the termination notice via certified mail to the provider's last mailing address as submitted by the provider. The Medicaid managed care organization shall be responsible for paying any claims for services delivered prior to the termination date specified in the notice.

C. If a Medicaid managed care organization terminates a provider and removes a provider from its provider network for reasons other than failure to comply with the re-credentialing process set forth in Subsection B of this Section, the Medicaid managed care organization shall send written notice of the termination via certified mail to the last known mailing address submitted by the provider. The termination notice shall include the effective date of the termination. The termination date shall be fifteen days from the date of the notice if the termination is pursuant to R.S. 46:460.73(A). The termination shall be immediate if the termination is pursuant to R.S. 46:460.73(B) or due to the loss of required license.

D. A provider shall give written notice of any change in licensure or accreditation status to each Medicaid managed care organization with which it is contracted or enrolled in a provider network. The provider shall furnish such written notice to the Medicaid managed care organization within two business days of the provider's knowledge of the change.

Acts 2018, No. 489, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:51.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 51.3
Criminal history information; access to federal tax information
Status: in_force

The Department of Children and Family Services, office of child support enforcement and family support, is authorized to perform criminal history records checks of current and prospective employees, contractors, and subcontractors in accordance with the procedures provided in R.S. 15:587.5. Pursuant to this authorization and to implement the requirements of R.S. 15:587.5, the secretary shall promulgate rules and regulations with regard to this matter.

NOTE: §51.3 as amended by Acts 2025, No. 477, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.

§51.3. Criminal history information; access to federal tax information

The Department of Children and Family Services is authorized to perform criminal history records checks of current and prospective employees, contractors, and subcontractors in accordance with the procedures provided in R.S. 15:587.5. Pursuant to this authorization and to implement the requirements of R.S. 15:587.5, the secretary shall promulgate rules and regulations with regard to this matter.

Acts 2017, No. 147, §5, eff. June 12, 2017; Acts 2025, No. 477, §15, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2526 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2526
Office on women's health and community health; assistant secretary; duties and functions
Status: in_force

A. The office on women's health and community health is hereby created in the Louisiana Department of Health. The office shall only provide services to a woman born as a biological female and perform the duties and functions assigned to it in Subsection C of this Section or as otherwise provided by law with a focus on all of the following:

(1) Health needs throughout a woman's life.

(2) Chronic or acute conditions that significantly affect women, such as heart disease, cancer, obesity, and osteoporosis.

(3) Access to health care for women.

(4) The impact of poverty on women's health.

(5) The leading causes of morbidity and mortality for women.

(6) Health disparities of women and communities.

B. The office on women's health and community health shall be under the immediate supervision of an assistant secretary appointed by the governor in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 36:257. The assistant secretary shall employ necessary staff to carry out the duties and functions of the office as provided in this Section or as otherwise provided by law.

C. In carrying out its purposes as provided for in R.S. 36:258, the office on women's health and community health shall do all of the following:

(1) Collect, classify, and analyze relevant information and data resulting from research conducted or compiled by the Louisiana Department of Health or other collaborative entities.

(2) Prepare educational or informative materials regarding women's health for publication and dissemination to the public.

(3) Seek funding through federal sources, grant programs, and other funding opportunities to carry out the duties and functions provided for in this Section which are within the scope and purposes of the office.

D. The office on women's health and community health shall coordinate its activities and programs with those of other entities that focus on women's health or women's issues.

E. The office on women's health and community health shall provide an annual report to the governor, legislature, and secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health recommending priorities and areas of improvement for women's health in Louisiana. The office shall issue the report no later than April first of each year.

F. No person employed by the office on women's health and community health or officially representing the office, by contract or otherwise, shall require or recommend that any woman have an abortion or promote abortion. This Subsection shall not apply to a doctor of medicine, currently licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners pursuant to R.S. 37:1261 et seq., who is acting to save or preserve the life of a pregnant woman. No activities of the office on women's health and community health shall promote abortion.

G. No public funds made available to the office on women's health and community health, whether such funds are made available by the government of the United States, the state of Louisiana, or a local governmental subdivision, or from any other public source, shall be used in any way for, to assist in, to promote, or to provide facilities for an abortion, except for any of the following:

(1) Whenever the abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother.

(2) Whenever the abortion is being sought to terminate a pregnancy resulting from an alleged act of rape and all of the requirements of R.S. 40:1061.18(A) are met.

(3) Whenever the abortion is being sought to terminate a pregnancy resulting from an alleged act of crime against nature as defined by R.S. 14:89(A)(2) and all of the requirements of R.S. 40:1061.18(B) are met.

Acts 2022, No. 676, §2, eff. June 18, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1907 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1907
Runaway children; services, care, investigation by division
Status: in_force

A. The department, upon order of court, shall provide such services and pay for such costs with respect to runaway children from other states as may be required pursuant to the provisions of the Interstate Compact on Juveniles as provided in R.S. 46:1451 through R.S. 46:1458, both inclusive, or as may be authorized under this Section.

B. With respect to any child who has run away from home, the department shall provide for the establishment, directly or through grants to or contracts with public or private agencies and organizations, of a coordinated, inclusive system under which:

(1) Emergency temporary maintenance is provided for such child, and

(2) The department, upon order of a court, conducts a prompt investigation reporting its findings of the home situation of such child to the court of proper jurisdiction.

Added by Acts 1974, No. 558, §1, emerg. eff. July 12, 1974. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 786, §6, eff. July 17, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1941.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1941.2
Purpose; role of Children's Cabinet
Status: in_force

A. The purpose of the children and youth planning boards is to assist in the assessment, alignment, coordination, prioritization, and measurement of all available services and programs that address the needs of children and youth. This includes children and youth at risk for, or identified with, social, emotional, or developmental problems, including but not limited to educational failure, abuse, neglect, exposure to violence, juvenile or parental mental illness, juvenile or parental substance abuse, poverty, developmental disabilities and delinquency. The boards are intended to encourage collaborative efforts among local stakeholders for assessing the physical, social, behavioral, and educational needs of children and youth in their respective communities and for assisting in the development of comprehensive plans to address such needs. The infrastructure for planning is intended to be data-driven in order to select appropriate evidence-based programs which will maximize available resources.

B. The legislature authorizes the establishment of children and youth planning boards to assist in the development, implementation, and operation of services which encourage positive development, diversion of children and youth from the criminal justice and the foster care system, reduction in the commitments of youth to state institutions, and providing community response to the growing rate of juvenile delinquency. The coordination and implementation of services shall include but are not limited to prevention, early intervention, diversion, alternatives to home displacement, alternatives to incarceration, and treatment services. Through such boards, the state intends to foster and promote a continuum of community-based services and systems reflecting service integration at the state and community or local levels.

C. The role of the Children's Cabinet shall be to facilitate the creation of children and youth planning boards by offering guidance and technical assistance to local communities and governing authorities including but not limited to resource identification, needs assessments, monitoring and performance evaluation, strategic planning and other forms of assistance and support.

Added by Acts 1978, No. 300, §1; Acts 1990, No. 696, §1; Acts 2004, No. 555, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2368 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2368
Coordination of interpreter/transliterator requests
Status: in_force

A. The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf shall establish, maintain, update, and distribute a list of qualified interpreters/transliterators. The commission shall obtain the names of interpreters for this list from the Louisiana Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and other appropriate sources, such as National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Louisiana School for the Deaf, and Louisiana Association of the Deaf.

B. Whenever an interpreter/transliterator is required pursuant to this Chapter, the appointing authority shall use one of the interpreters/transliterators on the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf list. If none of the listed interpreters/transliterators is available or is able to provide effective communication with the particular person who is deaf or hard of hearing, then the appointing authority shall appoint any other person who is able to accurately communicate with and convey information to and from the particular person involved who is deaf or hard of hearing.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 135, §1; Acts 2017, No. 146, §11.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2605.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2605.6
Children of Incarcerated Parents and Caregivers Fund
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby created in the state treasury as a special fund the Children of Incarcerated Parents and Caregivers Fund, hereinafter referred to as the "fund".

B.(1) The source of monies deposited into the fund shall be any monies appropriated annually by the legislature, including federal funds; any public or private donations, gifts, or grants from individuals, corporations, nonprofit organizations, or other business entities; and any other monies that may be obtained or provided by law.

(2) Monies in the fund shall be invested in the same manner as monies in the state general fund and interest earned on investment of monies in the fund shall be credited to the state general fund. Unexpended and unencumbered monies in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall remain in the fund.

C. Monies in the fund shall be used as directed by the CIP Council solely for the purposes set forth in this Section and R.S. 46:2605.4 and 2605.5.

Acts 2020, No. 284, §1, eff. June 11, 2020.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:937.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 937.3
Duties of the office; reimbursement
Status: in_force

NOTE: §937.3 eff. until one or more of the 20 depts. of the executive branch is abolished or a const. amend. authorizing the creation of an additional dept. becomes effective, whichever is earlier. See Acts 2013, No. 384, §§5 and 9.

A. The office shall adopt rules and regulations necessary to administer this program in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. Such rules and regulations shall be promulgated in order to allow for the program to begin operation no later than July, 1993.

B. The office shall establish reimbursement rates for each service provided under this program.

C. The office shall report annually to the legislature on the implementation of the program. The first report shall be delivered to the legislature no later than thirty days prior to the 1994 Regular Session and shall include the office's assessment of the feasibility of the program and any recommendations as to whether the program should be continued, expanded, or discontinued.

NOTE: §937.3 as amended by Acts 2013, No. 384, §5, eff. when one or more of the 20 depts. of the executive branch is abolished or a const. amend. authorizing the creation of an additional dept. becomes effective, whichever is earlier.

§937.3. Duties of the department; reimbursement

A. The department shall adopt rules and regulations necessary to administer the frail elderly program in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. Such rules and regulations shall be promulgated in order to allow for the program to begin operation no later than July, 1993.

B. The department shall establish reimbursement rates for each service provided under this program.

C. The department shall report annually to the legislature on the implementation of the program. The first report shall be delivered to the legislature no later than thirty days prior to the 1994 Regular Session and shall include the office's assessment of the feasibility of the program and any recommendations as to whether the program should be continued, expanded, or discontinued.

Acts 1992, No. 358, §1, eff. June 17, 1992; Acts 2013, No. 384, §5, eff. when one of the 20 executive branch depts. is abolished or a const. amend. authorizing creation of an additional dept. becomes effective, whichever is earlier.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2127 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2127
Programs for victims of family violence; administration
Status: in_force

A.(1) The office of women's services is authorized to allocate monies to local family violence programs. Allocation of such monies shall be such that the maximum allowable amount of monies available for distribution during any fiscal year to local family violence programs serving any parish or parishes from the additional license fees shall be the amount of fees collected in that parish or parishes during that fiscal year.

(2) Monies generated by fees collected in a parish during any fiscal year which have not been distributed to local family violence programs for services to that parish during that fiscal year shall remain to the credit of that parish and shall be available for distribution to local family violence programs serving that parish.

B. The office of women's services shall:

(1) Establish minimum health, safety, and program standards for eligibility of local family violence programs to receive monies, in addition to those established in R.S. 46:2128.

(2) Receive applications from eligible local programs for such monies.

(3) Approve or reject each application within sixty days of receipt of the application.

(4) Distribute monies to the local programs within forty-five days after approval.

(5) Evaluate each local program annually for compliance with the minimum standards.

(6) Evaluate local programs on a competitive basis in order to distribute additional allocations authorized by Paragraph (A)(2) of this Section.

(7) Adopt rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this Section. These rules and regulations shall be approved by the oversight subcommittee of the House Committee on Health and Welfare and Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, acting jointly or separately, prior to their implementation.

(8) Report annually to the House Committee on Health and Welfare and Senate Committee on Health and Welfare on the administration of the programs.

C. Prior to any allocation or distribution of monies as provided in Subsection A of this Section, the office may deduct no more than five percent of the amount appropriated from the fund for administrative costs.

Added by Acts 1983, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 60, §1, eff. March 1, 1983; Acts 1985, No. 772, §2, eff. July 19, 1985; Acts 1986, No. 1056, §1, eff. Sept. 1, 1986; Acts 1992, No. 984, §13; Acts 2018, No. 206, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2423 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2423
Recommendations by local citizen review boards concerning services, policies, procedures and laws
Status: in_force

In addition to reviewing individual cases of children, local citizen review boards may make recommendations to the court and the department and shall, when requested, forward recommendations to the state citizen review board concerning foster care services, policies, procedures, and laws.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 610, §1; eff. July 1, 1984.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:437.7 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 437.7
Forfeiture of property for payment of recovery
Status: in_force

A. In accordance with the provisions of Subsection B of this Section, the court may order the forfeiture of property to satisfy recovery under the following circumstances:

(1) The court may order the health care provider or other person from whom recovery is due to forfeit property which constitutes or was derived directly or indirectly from gross proceeds traceable to the violation which forms the basis for the recovery.

(2) If the secretary or the attorney general shows that property was transferred to a third party to avoid paying of recovery, or in an attempt to protect the property from forfeiture, the court may order the third party to forfeit the transferred property.

B. Prior to the forfeiture of property, a contradictory hearing shall be held during which the secretary or the attorney general shall prove, by clear and convincing evidence, that the property in question is subject to forfeiture pursuant to Subsection A of this Section. No such contradictory hearing shall be required if the owner of the property in question agrees to the forfeiture.

C. If property is transferred to another person within six months prior to the occurrence or after the occurrence of the violation for which recovery is due or within six months prior to or after the institution of a criminal, civil, or departmental investigation or proceeding, it shall be prima facie evidence that the transfer was to avoid paying recovery or was an attempt to protect the property from forfeiture.

D. The health care provider or other person from whom recovery is due shall have an affirmative duty to fully disclose all property and liabilities, and all transfers of property which meet the criteria of Subsection C of this Section, to the court, the secretary and the attorney general.

E. Nothing in this Section shall limit the rights of a qui tam plaintiff who brings a qui tam action in accordance with Subpart C of this Part.

Acts 1997, No. 1373, §1; Acts 2025, No. 206, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1901 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1901
Definitions
Status: in_force

A. For purposes of this Chapter, "department" shall mean the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

B. When used in this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms used herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them by the Children's Code.

Added by Acts 1974, No. 558, §1, emerg. eff. July 12, 1974. Acts 1984, No. 567, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1985; Acts 1985, No. 965, §2; Acts 1988, No. 607, §2, eff. July 14, 1988; Acts 2021, No. 158, §6.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:194 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 194
Eligibility criteria
Status: in_force

Each individual or family who is a residential consumer as herein defined shall be eligible to receive the utility relief.

Acts 1980, No. 712, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1445.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1445.1
Short title
Status: in_force

This Chapter may be cited as the "Adoption Awareness Act".

Acts 2024, No. 515, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:323 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 323
Goals
Status: in_force

The goals of the program include, without limitation, the following:

(1) To provide incentives that are demonstrably effective in helping SNAP beneficiaries achieve financial self-sufficiency.

(2) To connect employers to job candidates who possess requisite skills such that workforce needs, especially in demand occupations, are readily met.

(3) To provide support to SNAP customers who choose to further their education.

(4) To yield a model for incentivizing training and education for public assistance customers that can be replicated throughout the state.

Acts 2014, No. 622, §1; Acts 2025, No. 478, §12, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1138 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1138
Failure to comply; remittance; cancellation for death or permanent total disability
Status: in_force

A. If the recipient fails to comply fully with any condition provided for in the contract, the recipient shall remit to the board of commissioners an amount which bears the same ratio to the aggregate of the amount of the scholarship awarded as the number of months that the recipient failed to comply bears to the number of months that the recipient was obligated to comply. The amount shall be computed together with interest at the legal rate. The interest shall be computed from the date on which the recipient completed professional training and active military service, if any. Repayment shall be completed within four years from the date at which the scholarship began to draw interest.

B. The permanent withdrawal or dismissal of a recipient from nursing or allied health school shall forfeit immediately the right of the recipient to retain the scholarship. The scholarship shall begin to bear interest at that time, and repayment shall be made to the board and completed within four years.

C. Any recipient of a scholarship who fails to return to the area designated by the board upon completion of his education and training shall begin repayment of the scholarship, with interest, within six months after completion of his education and training. Repayments shall be made to the board and completed within four years.

D. Any obligation to comply with the contract shall be cancelled upon the death of the recipient, upon receipt of a certified copy of the death certificate by the board, or upon the permanent and total disability of the recipient.

Acts 1988, No. 54, §1; Acts 2023, No. 33, §1, eff. June 1, 2023.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1098.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1098.2
Domicile and membership of the board of commissioners
Status: in_force

A. The domicile of the board shall be the Slidell Memorial Hospital in Slidell, Louisiana.

B. In order to provide for effectuation of the purposes of the district, the district shall be administered and governed by a board of commissioners, referred to in this Part as the "board", comprised of nine commissioners as follows:

(1) Seven members, appointed pursuant to R.S. 46:1098.5, all of whom shall be registered to vote in and shall be residents and domiciliaries of Wards 6, 7, 8, or 9 of St. Tammany Parish for not less than two years prior to appointment.

(2) Two members shall be appointed by Slidell Memorial Hospital pursuant to R.S. 46:1098.4.

Acts 2020, No. 365, §1, eff. June 12, 2020.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2623 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2623
Louisiana Medical Assistance Trust Fund
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby established as a special fund in the state treasury the Louisiana Medical Assistance Trust Fund, hereinafter referred to as the "fund", which shall consist of monies generated by the provider fees on healthcare services collected and authorized for deposit into the fund as provided by law and any other monies which may be provided by law. The monies in the fund shall be invested by the state treasurer in the same manner as monies in the state general fund. All interest earned from the investment of monies in the fund shall be deposited in and remain to the credit of the fund and allocated to each separate account on a pro-rata basis. All unexpended and unencumbered monies remaining in the separate accounts of the fund at the close of each fiscal year shall remain in the separate accounts of the fund.

B.(1) The state treasurer shall establish a separate account within the fund for each healthcare provider group in which provider fees are collected and deposited into the fund in accordance with law. Any monies deposited into the fund from other sources, and the interest earned on those monies, shall be deposited into a separate account within the fund, hereafter referred to as the "general account".

(2) The state treasurer shall deposit monies collected from each provider group's provider fees into the account created for that provider group based upon actual collections of the provider fees.

(3) The monies, including interest earnings, in each separate account shall be appropriated by the legislature to the Medicaid program solely as provided in Subsection C of this Section.

C.(1) The legislature is authorized to appropriate monies from the separate accounts only if the appropriation is eligible for federal financial participation under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, or its successor, except monies deposited into the general account may be appropriated for any Medicaid program expenditure.

(2) The Louisiana Department of Health, or its successor, shall expend monies deposited into each account only for the reimbursement of services to the provider group that paid the fee into the account in any fiscal year, except the general account may be expended for any Medicaid program expenditure. Any expenditure from the separate accounts for any purpose other than medical assistance payments for the providers paying the fee shall be void.

D. The monies in the fund shall not be used to displace, replace, or supplant appropriations from the state general fund for the Medicaid program below the amount of state general fund appropriations to the agency for the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year.

E.(1) The state treasurer shall report the status and utilization of the fund and the separate accounts quarterly to the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, or its successor, and the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.

(2) The Louisiana Department of Health, or its successor, shall report on the expenditure of funds out of each separate account that comprises the fund quarterly to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.

Acts 1992, No. 260, §1, eff. June 10, 1992; Acts 2009, No. 438, §9(A); Acts 2013, No. 409, §1, eff. June 20, 2013; Acts 2016, No. 675, §1; Acts 2019, No. 404, §1, eff. July 1, 2020.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1445.4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1445.4
Adoption Awareness Program created
Status: in_force

The Adoption Awareness Program is hereby created in the Department of Children and Family Services, and the department shall contract with eligible vendors or organizations to provide the supportive services as described in R.S. 46:1445.5.

Acts 2024, No. 515, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2133 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2133
Jurisdiction; venue; standing
Status: in_force

A. Any court in the state of Louisiana which is empowered to hear family or juvenile matters shall have jurisdiction over proceedings appropriate to it under this Part.

B. Venue lies:

(1) In the parish where the marital domicile is located or where the household is located.

(2) In the parish where the defendant resides.

(3) In the parish where the abuse is alleged to have been committed.

(4) In the parish where the petitioner resides.

(5) In the parish where an action for annulment of marriage or for a divorce could be brought pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure Article 3941(A).

C. Notwithstanding the venue provisions of Subsection B of this Section, in a judicial district comprised of multiple parishes, if a court determines that it is in the interest of justice to afford the parties a more expeditious hearing than current docketing scheduling would permit, or to comply with the time provisions provided for by this Part, a judge or hearing officer may conduct a hearing in any parish within the judicial district.

D. An adult may seek relief under this Part by filing a petition with the court alleging abuse by the defendant. Any parent, adult household member, or district attorney may seek relief on behalf of any minor child or any person alleged to be incompetent by filing a petition with the court alleging abuse by the defendant. A petitioner's right to relief under this Part shall not be affected by leaving the residence or household to avoid further abuse.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 782, §2. Acts 1984, No. 80, §1; Acts 1986, No. 459, §1, eff. July 2, 1986; Acts 1991, No. 361, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1156, §7; Acts 2016, No. 119, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:460.41 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 460.41
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this Section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) "Department" means the Louisiana Department of Health.

(2) "Health care provider" or "provider" means a physician licensed to practice medicine by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners or other individual health care practitioner licensed, certified, or registered to perform specified health care services consistent with state law.

(3) "Managed care organization" shall have the same meaning as provided for that term in 42 CFR 438.2 and shall also mean any entity providing primary care case management services to Medicaid recipients pursuant to a contract with the department.

(4) "Medicaid" and "medical assistance program" mean the medical assistance program provided for in Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

Acts 2013, No. 311, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1433 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1433
Notification of location of missing or exploited child
Status: in_force

A. The parent, guardian, or legal custodian responsible for notifying the clearinghouse or a law enforcement agency of a missing or exploited child shall immediately notify such agency or the clearinghouse of any child whose location has been determined.

B. Any law enforcement agency shall transmit information of the recovery of a missing child to the clearinghouse, which shall maintain the information in the central repository pursuant to R.S. 46:1431 and 1432.

Acts 1985, No. 899, §1; Acts 2012, No. 446, §4; Acts 2018, No. 206, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:15 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 15
Counsel for hospitals
Status: in_force

The attorney general shall designate counsel to represent state hospitals in all claims and cases arising under this Chapter, and whenever so designated and a claim is placed in his hands the counsel shall be paid by the hospital a fee of twenty-five percent of the first five hundred dollars collected, twenty percent of the next five hundred dollars collected and fifteen percent of the excess of one thousand dollars collected, said fee to be paid out of any funds accruing to the hospital by reason of the claim or case.

Amended by Acts 1954, No. 720, §1; Acts 1962, No. 149, §1; Acts 1972, No. 20, §1; Acts 1976, No. 675, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:156 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 156
Supplementary assistance to persons who are aged, blind, or have disabilities
Status: in_force

A. Any person who is aged, blind, or has a disability, within the meaning of Subchapter XVI of Chapter Seven of the Social Security Act, as amended, who, for the month of December, 1973, was a recipient of old age assistance, disability assistance, or aid to the needy blind, and is a recipient of supplemental security income under Subchapter XVI of Chapter Seven of the Social Security Act, as amended, shall be entitled to receive a monthly supplementary payment in the amount described in Subsection B of this Section, such payment to terminate the month in which such individual dies or the first month such individual ceases to be eligible for supplemental security income under Subchapter XVI of Chapter Seven of the Social Security Act, as amended.

B. The supplementary payment referred to in Subsection A of this Section shall be in an amount equal to the amount by which the individual's December, 1973 income exceeds the amount of such individual's Subchapter XVI of Chapter Seven benefit plus other income for such month. For purposes of this Subsection, the terms "December, 1973 income" and "Subchapter XVI of Chapter Seven benefit plus other income" shall have the meaning given to those terms in Act of July 9, 1973, Public Law 93-66, Section 212(a)(3), 87 Stat. 152.

C. Any person who is aged, blind, or has a disability and who was receiving old age assistance, aid to the needy blind or disability assistance under the state plan in effect on December 31, 1973, who ceased to be eligible for such assistance on January 1, 1974, solely because of the enactment of Public Law 92-603, Public Law 93-66, or by other federal legislation pertaining to such public laws, shall be entitled to receive financial assistance under the conditions and in an amount no less than that set forth in the state plan in effect December 31, 1973.

D. The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health shall have authority to promulgate rules and regulations and take such action as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Section, provided that such rules and regulations and action are consistent with and in conformity with the provisions of Public Law 93-66 entitled Mandatory Minimum State Supplementation of SSI Benefits Program.

Acts 1975, No. 739, §1. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 786, §6, eff. July 17, 1978; Acts 2014, No. 811, §24, eff. June 23, 2014; Acts 2018, No. 206, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2191 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2191
Definitions
Status: in_force

A. For purposes of this Chapter:

(1) "Abuser" means an individual who has committed, or is presumed to have committed a covered act against a survivor, as defined in this Section.

(2) "Covered act" means conduct that constitutes:

(a) Domestic abuse as defined in R.S. 46:2132.

(b) Sexual assault as defined in R.S. 29:220.

(c) Stalking as defined in R.S. 14:40.2.

(3) "Remote access technology" means technology that enables a driver of a motor vehicle to remotely track, control, or operate the driver's vehicle using a smartphone app or other device.

(4) "Survivor" means an individual who is a victim of a covered act, as defined in this Section.

Acts 2025, No. 225, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2631 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2631
Purpose
Status: in_force

The purpose of this Chapter is to provide for the development of a rehabilitation program for persons disabled by traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries through the establishment of a trust fund in the state treasury to be funded by additional fees imposed on motor vehicle violations in this state for the offenses of driving under the influence, reckless operation, and speeding. The purpose of the Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund is to provide Louisiana citizens who survive traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries a source of funds for services enabling them with assistance to return to a reasonable level of functioning and independent living in their communities.

Acts 1993, No. 654, §1, eff. June 16, 1993; Acts 2018, No. 424, §1, eff. May 23, 2018; Acts 2024, No. 278, §2, eff. Feb. 1, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1420 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1420
Refusal or revocation of license; appeal procedure
Status: in_force

A. Upon the refusal of the department to grant a license or upon the revocation of a license, the agency, institution, society, corporation, person or persons, or other group having been refused a license or having had a license revoked shall have the right to appeal such action by submitting a written request to the secretary of the department within thirty days after receipt of the notification in the case of the refusal of the license or, in the case of revocation, within fifteen calendar days after receipt of the notification of the revocation. The appeal hearings shall be held no later than thirty days after the request therefor, except as provided in the Administrative Procedure Act, and shall be conducted in accordance with applicable regulations of the department and the provisions of R.S. 46:107. This provision shall in no way preclude the right of the party to seek relief through mandamus suit against the department, as provided by law.

B. Notwithstanding any law, rule, regulation, or provision to the contrary, including but not limited to R.S. 49:978.1(A)(2), the department shall be entitled to seek judicial review from any final decision or order rendered by the division of administrative law in any appeal hearing arising under this Chapter. The venue of judicial review shall be the district court of the parish in which the licensee is located.

Acts 1985, No. 286, §1; Acts 2009, No. 194, §2, eff. June 30, 2009; Acts 2013, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2014; Acts 2014, No. 868, §5, eff. Oct. 1, 2014.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1445.9 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1445.9
Funding and eligible expenses
Status: in_force

A. The department shall apply funds received from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant to fund the Adoption Awareness Program services and the requirements of this Chapter to the extent feasible.

(1) A vendor of the Adoption Awareness Program may use appropriated funds in one or more of the following ways:

(a) Expenses necessary to provide services identified in R.S. 46:1445.5.

(b) Funding a marketing campaign within the state to promote adoption.

(c) Administrative expenses related to administrative overhead and other indirect costs that are approved by the department, if the aggregate amount of administrative expenses does not exceed fifteen percent.

B. The department shall fund anticipated program expenses in advance on a quarterly basis, with advanced funding to be reconciled with actual expenses following each quarter and offset against future payments.

Acts 2024, No. 515, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:286.11 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 286.11
Short title
Status: in_force

This Subpart may be cited as the "Foster Parents' Bill of Rights".

Acts 2006, No. 439, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:460.35 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 460.35
Exemptions
Status: in_force

The provisions of this Part shall not apply to any entity that contracts with the department to provide fiscal intermediary services in processing claims of health care providers.

Acts 2013, No. 312, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2014.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:437.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 437.1
Short title
Status: in_force

This Part may be cited as the "Medical Assistance Programs Integrity Law".

Acts 1997, No. 1373, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2267 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2267
Effective date; rules and regulations
Status: in_force

The office of public health shall, by July 1, 2000, adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the program in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

Acts 1992, No. 417, §1; Acts 1999, No. 653, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1445.13 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1445.13
Adoption awareness; Department of Children and Family Services
Status: in_force

A link to the AdoptionOption.La.Gov website as provided for in R.S. 40:1061.17, or any successor state agency administered website that promotes adoption awareness and makes adoption resource information available to the public, shall be made available and placed in a prominent location on the websites administered by the Louisiana Department of Health and the Department of Children and Family Services. Any other state agency that administers a website may also provide a link to the AdoptionOption.La.Gov website.

Acts 2024, No. 515, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1194 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1194
Purpose
Status: in_force

The purpose of the healthcare service district and the governing board created pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter shall be:

(1) To identify local public sources of revenue or expenditure that may be used by the department as state match to draw down federal matching funds for the provision of healthcare services for the low-income and uninsured population of the district. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the district or governing board shall have no authority or governance of the hospital service districts and shall have no authority to collect or cause to be collected any hospital service district monies, funds, or assets.

(2) To participate, so far as circumstances may warrant, in any activity designed and conducted to promote the general health of the community.

(3) To promote and support graduate medical education activities in the respective communities.

(4) To cooperate with other institutions and agencies engaged in providing hospital and outpatient health services to residents of the district for the purpose of improving access to care for residents of the district.

Acts 2012, No. 857, §1; Acts 2018, No. 206, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2596 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2596
Mandatory reports for Americans with Disabilities Act
Status: in_force

A. Each agency head shall compile an annual report containing information from the previous calendar year regarding his agency's compliance with the requirements of this Chapter. The report shall include the number and percentage of supervisors and Americans with Disabilities Act agency coordinators, respectively, in his agency who have completed the training requirements; the number of accommodation requests received by his agency; the number, nature, and cost of accommodation requests granted; the number of accommodation requests denied; and the amount of time required to resolve each request from date of receipt to the date the individual was notified in writing of the final determination of the request. The report shall also include the number of Americans with Disabilities Act-related charges of discrimination filed with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Louisiana Commission on Human Rights, and the United States Department of Justice and civil actions filed in state or federal court. The data provided shall be used for tracking purposes only and shall not include personally identifying information such as the requestor's name or references to confidential medical conditions or impairments. These reports shall be a public record and available to the public in accordance with the Public Records Law.

B. An agency head shall submit the report required by Subsection A of this Section by February first of each year, with the initial report being due by February 1, 2024, for the 2023 calendar year, to the office.

Acts 2022, No. 103, §2, eff. May 25, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:977.23 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 977.23
TEFRA option established; application to federal Medicaid agency; limitation
Status: in_force

A. The legislature hereby creates a TEFRA option program in order to protect and promote public health and well-being in this state. The department shall, subject to the approval of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, begin a program to provide healthcare services via the state's Medicaid program for the population contemplated under Section 134 of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (P.L. 97-248).

B. The TEFRA option shall offer coverage exclusively through the Medicaid fee-for-service system unless the department determines that offering TEFRA option coverage to persons enrolled in the Medicaid managed care program would be more cost-effective.

Acts 2019, No. 421, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1098.15 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1098.15
Contracts; cooperation
Status: in_force

The Slidell Memorial Hospital may contract to receive or offer agreements for materials, services, or supplies pursuant to a shared service or group purchasing arrangement with other hospitals, either public or private, in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 38:2211 et seq. In addition, Slidell Memorial Hospital and the district shall otherwise cooperate in all respects possible for the best interests of the citizens of St. Tammany Parish.

Acts 2020, No. 365, §1, eff. June 12, 2020.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:437.9 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 437.9
Privilege; nondischargeability
Status: in_force

A. Recovery shall be granted a privilege under state law as to all property owned by the health care provider or other person from whom recovery is due and shall be effective as to third parties only if notice of pendency, lis pendens, is placed on the property , if recorded and reinscribed in accordance with Civil Code Articles 3320 through 3327, or if the conditions of Subsection C of this Section are applicable.

B. As to the property owned by the health provider, the privilege provided in Subsection A of this Section shall rank ahead of any other privilege, mortgage, or secured interest possessed by the health care provider, his agent, or his managing employee except the first mortgage executed upon the property.

C. If property is transferred to a third party to avoid paying of recovery, or in an attempt to protect the property from forfeiture, the privilege provided in Subsection A of this Section shall rank ahead of any other privilege, mortgage, or secured interest on the transferred property obtained or possessed by the person who obtains an ownership interest in the transferred property.

D. Recovery for a violation of R.S. 46:438.2 or R.S. 46:438.3 shall be considered a nondischargeable liability under the provisions of Title 11, U.S.C. Chapters 7, 11, and 13.

Acts 1997, No. 1373, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:450 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 450
WIC Program; authorized vendor participation
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any other state laws or any rules or regulations promulgated by the Department of Children and Family Services, no applicant shall be prohibited from participating in the WIC Program as an authorized vendor based on:

(1) The location of the proposed retail food outlet unless the proposed retail food outlet is located less than one-fourth mile from another authorized vendor's retail food outlet.

(2) The price of the food package offered is below the median price charged by other vendors in that parish if the price of the food package offered by the authorized vendor is not more than ten percent above the authorized vendor's cost.

B. For purposes of this Section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) "WIC" means supplemental food and health program for pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum women, for up to six months; infants from birth to one year of age; and children, from one year of age to five years of age.

(2) "Vendor" means the owner and employees of any retail food outlet.

Acts 1987, No. 374, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:236.11.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 236.11.3
Official child support payment record
Status: in_force

A. The record of child support payments previously maintained by an obligee is the official record of a payment received directly by the obligee.

B. The record of child support payments maintained by the state disbursement unit is the official record of a payment received directly by the unit.

C. Upon the redirection of child support payments from an obligee to the state disbursement unit, an obligee may combine his records and a record of payments furnished by the unit to present a complete payment record to the court.

D. If the obligee does not add payments received by the state disbursement unit to the record maintained by the registry as provided by Subsection C of this Section, the official record of child support payments shall consist of the record previously maintained by the obligee for payments received directly by the obligee and the record maintained by the state disbursement unit for payments received directly by the unit.

E. A certified child support payment record produced by the state disbursement unit shall be admissible as self-authenticating and shall be prima facie proof of such payments.

Acts 2009, No. 241, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:438.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 438.3
False or fraudulent claim; misrepresentation; unlawful acts
Status: in_force

A. No person shall knowingly present or cause to be presented a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval.

B. No person shall knowingly engage in misrepresentation or knowingly make, use, or cause to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim.

C. No person shall knowingly make, use, or cause to be made or used, a false record or statement material to an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the medical assistance programs, or knowingly conceal or knowingly and improperly avoid or decrease an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the medical assistance programs.

D. No person shall conspire to defraud the medical assistance programs or conspire to commit a violation of this Part.

E.(1) No person shall knowingly submit a claim for goods, services, or supplies which were medically unnecessary or which were of substandard quality or quantity.

(2) If a managed care health care provider or a health care provider operating under a voucher system under the medical assistance programs fails to provide medically necessary goods, services, or supplies or goods, services, or supplies which are of substandard quality or quantity to a recipient, and those goods, services, or supplies are covered under the managed care contract or voucher contract with the medical assistance programs, such failure shall constitute a violation of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.

(3) "Substandard quality" in reference to services applicable to medical care as used in this Subsection shall mean substandard as to the appropriate standard of care as used to determine medical malpractice, including but not limited to the standard of care provided in R.S. 9:2794.

F. No person shall knowingly make or cause to be made a claim under the medical assistance programs for any of the following:

(1) A service or product that has not been approved or prescribed by a treating physician or health care practitioner.

(2) A service or product that is substantially inadequate or inappropriate when compared to generally recognized standards within the particular discipline or within the health care industry.

(3) A product that has been adulterated, debased, mislabeled, or is otherwise inappropriate.

G. No person shall knowingly make, cause to be made, induce, or seek to induce the making of a false statement or misrepresentation of material fact concerning any of the following:

(1) The condition or operation of a facility in order that the facility may qualify for certification or recertification required by the medical assistance programs including but not limited to certification or recertification of any of the following:

(a) A hospital.

(b) A nursing facility or skilled nursing facility.

(c) A hospice.

(d) An intermediate care facility for people with developmental disabilities.

(e) An assisted living facility.

(f) A home health agency.

(2) Information the person is required to produce to the department by federal or state law, rule, regulation, or provider agreement.

H. No provider or provider-in-fact shall fail to provide to the department, attorney general, legislative auditor, or other appropriate state agency information required to be provided by law, rule, or contractual provision.

I. No person shall defraud or attempt to defraud the medical assistance programs through misrepresentation.

J. No person shall obtain or attempt to obtain payment for a false or fraudulent claim.

K. It shall be unlawful for a managed care organization or a subcontractor to a managed care organization that contracts with the department or other state agency to provide or arrange to provide health care benefits or services to individuals eligible under the medical assistance programs and knowingly do any of the following:

(1) Fail to provide an individual a healthcare benefit or service that the organization is required to provide under the contract with the department.

(2) Fail to provide to the department, attorney general, legislative auditor, or other appropriate state agency information required to be provided by law, rule, or contractual provision.

(3) Engage in fraudulent activity in connection with the enrollment of an individual eligible under the medical assistance programs or in connection with marketing the organization's services to an individual eligible under the medical assistance programs.

L. No person shall make a claim under the medical assistance programs and knowingly misrepresent the identification of the healthcare provider who actually provided the service when such identification is necessary to obtain payment for the claim.

M. Each violation of this Section may be treated as a separate violation or may be combined into one violation at the option of the secretary or the attorney general.

N. No action brought pursuant to this Section shall be instituted later than ten years after the date upon which the alleged violation occurred.

Acts 1997, No. 1373, §1; Acts 2007, No. 14, §1, eff. June 18, 2007; Acts 2009, No. 426, §1; Acts 2011, No. 185, §1; Acts 2025, No. 206, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:933 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 933
Louisiana Executive Board on Aging established; membership; term of office; compensation of members
Status: in_force

NOTE: Subsection A eff. until one or more of the 20 depts. of the executive branch is abolished or a const. amend. authorizing the creation of an additional dept. becomes effective, whichever is earlier. See Acts 2013, No. 384, §5.

A. There is hereby established the Louisiana Executive Board on Aging within the office of the governor.

NOTE: Subsection A as amended by Acts 2013, No. 384, §5, eff. when one or more of the 20 depts. of the executive branch is abolished or a const. amend. authorizing the creation of an additional dept. becomes effective, whichever is earlier.

A. The Louisiana Executive Board on Aging is established within the Department of Elderly Affairs.

B. The Louisiana Executive Board on Aging, hereafter referred to as "the board", shall consist of fifteen members appointed as follows:

(1) Five members shall be appointed by the president of the Senate, one from each of the five districts of the Public Service Commission.

(2) Five members shall be appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one from each of the five districts of the Public Service Commission.

(3) Five members shall be appointed by the governor, one from each of the five districts of the Public Service Commission. Each appointment by the governor shall be submitted to the Senate for confirmation.

C. Nominations for the board shall be solicited from the Louisiana Association of Councils on Aging, the Louisiana State Medical Society, the Louisiana State Bar Association, the National Association of Social Workers - Louisiana Chapter, the National Association of Black Social Workers - Louisiana Chapter, the American Association of Retired Persons, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, the AFL-CIO, the Louisiana Geriatric Education Center, the Louisiana Interchurch Conference, and other entities as appropriate. Appointments shall be made from the lists of names submitted. The persons appointed shall have a recognized interest in and knowledge of the problems of aging and none of the members of the board shall be elected officials or paid employees of the state of Louisiana. Preference shall be given to persons sixty years of age and older.

NOTE: Subsection D eff. until one or more of the 20 depts. of the executive branch is abolished or a const. amend. authorizing the creation of an additional dept. becomes effective, whichever is earlier. See Acts 2013, No. 384, §§5 and 9.

D. A person is not eligible for appointment if the person or the person's spouse is either:

(1) Employed by a business entity or other organization regulated by or receiving funds from the governor's office of elderly affairs.

(2) Owns, controls, or has, directly or indirectly, more than a ten percent interest in a business entity or other organization regulated by or receiving funds from the governor's office of elderly affairs.

NOTE: Subsection D as amended by Acts 2013, No. 384, §5, eff. when one or more of the 20 depts. of the executive branch is abolished or a const. amend. authorizing the creation of an additional dept. becomes effective, whichever is earlier.

D. A person is not eligible for appointment if the person or the person's spouse either:

(1) Is employed by a business entity or other organization regulated by or receiving funds from the Department of Elderly Affairs.

(2) Owns, controls, or has, directly or indirectly, more than a ten percent interest in a business entity or other organization regulated by or receiving funds from the Department of Elderly Affairs.

E. The terms of office of members of the board shall be five years, except that the appointing authority shall appoint the original members as follows: three members for a term of one year, three members for a term of two years, three members for a term of three years, three members for a term of four years, and three members for a term of five years. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the governor only for the remainder of the unexpired terms.

F. The board shall meet and organize immediately after appointment of the members and shall elect from its membership a slate of officers other than chairman, who is to be appointed by the governor. The board shall elect any officers, other than the chairman, it deems necessary, and the duties of such officers shall be those customarily performed by such officers. The board shall meet at least once per quarter of the fiscal year, and as often thereafter as deemed necessary by the chairman. Members shall serve without salary but shall be reimbursed at the established per diem rate for attendance at board and board committee meetings. Members shall be reimbursed for actual travel and other expenses incurred while in the performance of their duties in accordance with the division of administration regulations.

NOTE: Subsection G eff. until one or more of the 20 depts. of the executive branch is abolished or a const. amend. authorizing the creation of an additional dept. becomes effective, whichever is earlier. See Acts 2013, No. 384, §§5 and 9.

G. The board may recommend discharge of the executive director. The board shall adopt rules for the transaction of its business and shall keep a record of its resolutions, transactions, findings, and determinations. A majority of members shall constitute a quorum. The office shall provide office and meeting space and staff support for the board.

NOTE: Subsection G as amended by Acts 2013, No. 384, §5, eff. when one or more of the 20 depts. of the executive branch is abolished or a const. amend. authorizing the creation of an additional dept. becomes effective, whichever is earlier.

G. The board may recommend to the governor that the secretary be replaced. The board shall adopt rules for the transaction of its business and shall keep a record of its resolutions, transactions, findings, and determinations. A majority of members shall constitute a quorum. The department shall provide office and meeting space and staff support for the board.

Acts 1979, No. 206, §1, eff. July 6, 1979; Acts 1992, No. 648, §2, eff. July 2, 1992; Acts 2013, No. 384, §5, eff. when one of the 20 executive branch depts. is abolished or a const. amend. authorizing creation of an additional dept. becomes effective, whichever is earlier.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1974 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1974
Requirements for documentation produced by healthcare providers; prohibitions
Status: in_force

A. No healthcare provider shall produce documentation relating to an individual's need for a support animal unless the healthcare provider complies with all of the following:

(1) Possesses an active and valid Louisiana license or an active license within a healthcare profession that has a licensure compact to perform the healthcare services being offered to an individual.

(2) Is qualified and licensed to evaluate and diagnose disabilities and has performed a disability assessment of an individual.

(3) Includes in the documentation relating to an individual's need for a support animal all of the following:

(a) The effective date of the documentation.

(b) The license number of the healthcare provider.

(c) The type of professional license held by the healthcare provider.

(4) Establishes a therapeutic relationship with an individual no less than thirty days prior to producing the documentation regarding the individual's need for a support animal.

(5) Has engaged with an individual in person or remotely in at least two sessions before issuing documentation determining that the individual requires a support animal.

(6) Performs a clinical evaluation of an individual no less than thirty days before producing documentation regarding the individual's need for a support animal.

B. No healthcare provider shall represent or attempt to represent that an individual has a disability requiring a support animal when an individual is not disabled or does not need a support animal on account of the individual's disability.

C. No individual shall represent or attempt to represent to a third party that the individual has a disability requiring a support animal when the individual is not disabled or does not require a support animal on account of the individual's disability.

Acts 2024, No. 558, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:924 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 924
AIDS treatment services
Status: in_force

A. Each state-owned and -operated medical acute care hospital in the state shall establish, operate, and maintain an AIDS testing and treatment services program to the extent and level provided by funds appropriated by the legislature.

B. Each state-owned and -operated medical acute care hospital shall have an AIDS counselor or a system of AIDS counseling designed to ensure that the needs of the patient are met.

C. The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health shall promulgate rules and regulations for the provision of AIDS testing and treatment services in accordance with generally accepted AIDS testing and treatment practices and the Administrative Procedure Act.

D. Each AIDS testing and treatment services program shall develop links with other providers of services to AIDS patients in the community.

Acts 1991, No. 634, §1; Acts 2018, No. 206, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1819 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1819
Penalty for fraud
Status: in_force

No person shall procure or counsel another person to procure reparations under the provisions of this Chapter by any fraud. The penalty for the violation of the provisions of this Section shall be a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 250, §1, eff. July 17, 1982.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:327 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 327
Notification to legislative committees; reporting
Status: in_force

A. After receiving federal approval as provided in R.S. 46:328 and before commencement of the pilot initiative, the department shall transmit to the members of the House Committee on Health and Welfare and to the members of the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare a written notice that addresses the purpose and function of the program. The department may transmit the notice required by this Subsection via electronic mail.

B. The department shall annually submit a written report providing a summary and evaluation of outcomes of the program to the House Committee on Health and Welfare and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare. The department may include the report with its submission of any other report pertaining to SNAP, including without limitation any report required by Subpart E-2 of this Part.

Acts 2014, No. 622, §1; Acts 2025, No. 478, §12, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2755 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2755
Powers and duties
Status: in_force

A. The commission shall make, or cause to be made, all such studies, reviews, or analysis which it finds necessary to effect its purpose.

B. The commission in its consideration of the recommendations of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2003 and House Concurrent Resolution No. 56 or Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 31, or both, of the 2003 Regular Session of the Legislature, and in the consideration of recommendation of other juvenile justice reform measures shall address such issues as:

(1) The creation of a single state entity for providing services to children and their families, as more fully set forth in R.S. 46:2757.

(2) The closure of Swanson Correctional Center for Youth-Madison Parish Unit as a facility for juveniles, as more fully set forth in R.S. 15:902.2, and the development of a comprehensive plan to reduce the over reliance on secure incarceration and provide community-based services including a time schedule for statewide implementation for the plan.

(3) The closure of Jetson Center for Youth-East Baton Rouge Parish Unit as a facility for juveniles, as set forth in R.S. 15:902.4, and the development of a comprehensive plan to reduce the over-reliance on secure incarceration and provide community-based services including a time schedule for statewide implementation for the plan.

(4) The priorities of state entities funding children and family services by:

(a) Receiving reports of the allocations and expenditures of all federal and state juvenile grant funds earmarked for law enforcement, treatment, rehabilitation, and education.

(b) Evaluating how juvenile monies, both state and federal, are utilized in implementing juvenile delinquency prevention programs by state and local agencies.

(c) Identifying and evaluating the effectiveness of state and local public awareness and delinquency prevention programs in both the public and private sectors to develop a series of recommendations for improving the effectiveness of such programs.

(d) Evaluating specific problem areas relating to the enforcement of laws concerning juvenile delinquency and making recommendations to improve the impact of those laws through legislative refinement or executive order.

(e) Assessing the roles and interaction of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and entities in combating juvenile delinquency to make recommendations for improving their effectiveness.

(5) The well-being of youth in the juvenile justice system during a public health emergency and House Concurrent Resolution No. 47 of the 2020 Regular Session of the Legislature.

C. The commission may also:

(1) Review and comment on the progress reports submitted to it by the Children's Cabinet and its affiliated boards.

(2) Review and comment on various proposals for the annual children's budget before completion and submission of the budget to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature by the Children's Cabinet.

(3) Make recommendations for improving juvenile justice through proposed legislation, resolutions, or other expressions of legislative intent.

(4) Monitor and advocate for juvenile justice legislation and other actions relating to the reform of juvenile justice and the restructuring of the delivery of services to children and their families.

(5) Take any other action it deems appropriate relating to the restructuring or rendering, or both, of juvenile services.

(6) Hire staff and other necessary personnel as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the commission.

Acts 2003, No. 1225, §5; Acts 2008, No. 565, §7; Acts 2020, 2 nd Ex. Sess., No. 28, §1, eff. Oct. 28, 2020.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:450.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 450.2
Vehicles engaged in providing nonemergency, nonambulance transportation; inspection
Status: in_force

A. The Louisiana Department of Health shall annually review vehicle inspection and insurance documents to ensure current compliance for all vehicles used by enrolled Medicaid transportation providers in providing nonemergency, nonambulance transportation services to Medicaid recipients. The department may inspect such vehicles at any time the department deems appropriate in accordance with rules developed pursuant to Subsection B of this Section.

B. The Louisiana Department of Health is authorized to adopt and promulgate rules, pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, regarding but not limited to inspection of vehicles, inspection decals issued by the department for display on vehicles, standardization of identification of such vehicles, uniformity of provider documents, mandatory liability insurance on vehicles, proof of ownership or lease of vehicles, signs on vehicles identifying the provider, and such other rules determined by the department to be necessary for the administration and enforcement of the utilization of only properly inspected and insured vehicles in the provision of nonemergency, nonambulance transportation services to Medicaid recipients.

C. Any provider described in Subsection A of this Section who violates any of the rules promulgated pursuant to Subsection B of this Section, or any requirement of any other applicable statute or rule while acting as a provider of nonemergency, nonambulance transportation services to Medicaid recipients shall be subject to civil fines to be assessed by the Louisiana Department of Health, in addition to any criminal penalties which may be applicable. The schedule of civil fines shall be as follows:

(1) Class A violations: Any provider found to have committed any of the following violations shall be subject to a civil fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars for the first occurrence. For each subsequent offense, the fine shall be twice the amount of the original fine:

(a) Failure to maintain required insurance coverage.

(b) Use of an unauthorized vehicle to provide Medicaid transportation.

(c) Operation of a vehicle by an unauthorized driver in providing Medicaid transportation.

(d) Failure to report to law enforcement authorities a vehicular accident involving a vehicle used to provide Medicaid transportation.

(e) Failure to request or seek medical treatment for a client who is injured while being served by the provider.

(f) Physical, mental, verbal, or sexual abuse of a client.

(g) Operation of a vehicle in violation of any of the requirements of Title 32 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, when such violation results in death or injury to a client.

(h) Operation of a vehicle in violation of any of the requirements of the rules promulgated pursuant to Subsection B of this Section when such violation results in death or injury to a client.

(i) Attempting to obtain a new client or maintain an existing client by offering illegal inducements to a prospective client, an existing client, or any other person.

(2) Class B violations: Any provider found to have committed any of the following violations shall be subject to a civil fine of not more than one hundred dollars for the first offense. For each subsequent offense, the fine shall be twice the amount of the original fine:

(a) Failure to report to the Louisiana Department of Health a vehicular accident involving a vehicle used to provide Medicaid transportation.

(b) Operation of a vehicle in a violation of any of the requirements of Title 32 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, when such violation does not result in death or injury to a client.

(c) Operation of a vehicle used to provide Medicaid transportation in violation of any of the requirements of the rules promulgated pursuant to Subsection B of this Section when such violation does not result in death or injury to a client.

(d) Failure to provide the Louisiana Department of Health with documentation of required insurance coverage.

Acts 1993, No. 470, §1, eff. June 9, 1993; Acts 1997, No. 618, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1116, §1; Acts 2001, No. 614, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2204 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2204
Eligible private nonprofit organizations
Status: in_force

All interested organizations shall apply to the secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development for a determination of eligibility. Applicant organizations must certify and show that it is a financially responsible organization capable of meeting the terms of the grant agreement and that the organization is subject to proper management. Each organization receiving a grant shall insure, maintain, and operate the equipment acquired under the program, as required by the federal Urban Mass Transportation Act, 1 as amended, and by the Department of Transportation and Development, and shall report to the department as prescribed by the appropriate rules and regulations.

Added by Acts 1979, No. 785, §1.

1 49 U.S.C.A. §1601 et seq.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:931 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 931
Creation; personnel
Status: in_force

An agency of the state to be known as the office of elderly affairs is hereby created and established in the office of the governor. Said office shall exercise the powers and duties hereinafter set forth or otherwise provided by law. The office shall be administered by an executive director, who shall be recommended for appointment by the Louisiana Executive Board on Aging to the governor to serve at his pleasure, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The executive director shall employ necessary staff to carry out the duties and functions of the office as otherwise provided in this Chapter, or as otherwise provided by law.

NOTE: §931 as amended by Acts 2013, No. 384, §5, eff. when one or more of the 20 depts. of the executive branch is abolished or a const. amend. authorizing the creation of an additional dept. becomes effective, whichever is earlier.

CHAPTER 7. DEPARTMENT OF ELDERLY AFFAIRS

§931. Creation; personnel

The Department of Elderly Affairs is hereby created. The department shall exercise the powers and duties set forth in this Chapter or otherwise provided by law. The department shall be administered by a secretary, who shall be appointed by the governor, subject to Senate confirmation, from recommendations for appointment by the Louisiana Executive Board on Aging. The secretary shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. The secretary shall employ necessary staff to carry out the duties and functions of the department as otherwise provided in this Chapter, or as otherwise provided by law.

Acts 1979, No. 206, §1, eff. July 6, 1979; Acts 1992, No. 648, §2, eff. July 2, 1992; Acts 2013, No. 384, §5, eff. when one of the 20 executive branch depts. is abolished or a const. amend. authorizing creation of an additional dept. becomes effective, whichever is earlier.

NOTE: Acts 2013, No. 384, §8, eff. July 1, 2013, provides that funds allocated for any purpose under the authority of the Office of Elderly Affairs or its successor, the Dept. of Elderly Affairs, are allocated only to the Office of Elderly Affairs or its successor and are not to be appropriated, allocated, or transferred to any other state department, office, or programs.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1831.12 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1831.12
Victims of Vehicular Homicide Fund; creation; sources and use of funds
Status: in_force

A. The Victims of Vehicular Homicide Fund, hereinafter referred to as "the fund", is hereby created as a special fund in the state treasury.

B. The fund shall be composed of:

(1) Monies derived from appropriations by the legislature or private funds not to exceed five hundred thousand dollars per fiscal year.

(2) Any federal monies made available to the state for victim compensation.

(3) All monies received from any action to recover damages for a crime which was the basis of a reparations award pursuant to this Chapter.

(4) Any gift, grant, devise, or bequest of monies or properties of any nature or description.

C. Monies in the fund shall be invested by the treasurer in the same manner as state general fund monies. Unexpended and unencumbered monies in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall remain in the fund. Subject to appropriation, monies in the fund shall be used solely to pay reparation awards pursuant to this Chapter, and disbursements therefrom shall be made by the state treasurer upon written order of the board, signed by the chairman, or a court.

Acts 2023, No. 451, §2.

NOTE: Pursuant to R.S. 46:1831.16, this Chapter will terminate Aug. 1, 2027.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:979.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 979.2
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have the following definitions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) "Cost-sharing" means the portion of the cost of a covered medical service that must be paid by or on behalf of eligible individuals, consisting of copayments or coinsurance, but not deductibles.

(2) "Department" means the Louisiana Department of Health.

(3) "Medicaid" means the medical assistance program provided for in Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

(4) "Plan" means the Louisiana First America Next Freedom and Empowerment Plan established by this Chapter.

(5) "Secretary" means the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.

Acts 2014, No. 783, §1, eff. June 19, 2014.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2605.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2605.5
CIP Council; duties
Status: in_force

A. The CIP Council shall be a resource to the state on issues affecting the children of incarcerated parents and caregivers in the state. In furtherance of that responsibility, the CIP Council shall undertake efforts including but not limited to the following:

(1) Investigate the impact that a parent's or caregiver's involvement in the criminal justice system has on the mental, emotional, physical, and financial well-being of their child or children up to and through adulthood.

(2) Serve as a liaison between government and private interest groups with regard to matters of unique interest and concern to the children of incarcerated parents or caregivers.

(3) Identify and discuss best practices as they affect the children of incarcerated parents and caregivers and explore how those practices can be adapted to programs and services within the state.

(4) Advise executive and legislative bodies of the potential effect of proposed legislation on the children of incarcerated parents and caregivers, as the CIP Council determines to be necessary and appropriate.

(5) Investigate the merits of the establishment of a state agency within a department dedicated to issues affecting the children of incarcerated parents and caregivers and determine how such agency or program is to be organized and implemented.

(6) Provide resources and education to the caregivers of children with incarcerated parents or caregivers.

B. The CIP Council shall issue at least one report every two years, beginning January 31, 2022, stating the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the CIP Council. The report shall be available to any other governmental entity requesting a copy.

Acts 2020, No. 284, §1, eff. June 11, 2020.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1603 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1603
Officers
Status: in_force

Each parish voluntary council on the aging shall meet within thirty days after the effective date of its charter and shall elect from its membership a chairman and such other officers as it deems necessary. The terms for which officers shall serve shall be determined by the council.

Added by Acts 1958, No. 342, §3. Amended by Acts 1964, No. 456, §1; Acts 1978, No. 786, §6, eff. July 17, 1978; Acts 1981, No. 867, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2116 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2116
Purpose
Status: in_force

A. The Legislature of Louisiana recognizes the right of people with significant disabilities to lead independent and productive lives.

B. The legislature further recognizes that persons with significant disabilities require personal assistance to meet tasks of daily living and, in many cases, to avoid costly institutionalization.

C. The legislature further recognizes that many times the expected return on state dollars invested in vocational rehabilitation training for individuals who cannot afford to go to work, resulting in immeasurable losses in terms of lost wages, dependency, social isolation, and unfulfilled human potential.

D. It is the intention of the legislature to create a program of state personal assistance services for persons with significant disabilities in order to support and enhance their employability and/or to avoid inappropriate and unnecessary institutionalization of persons with significant disabilities.

Acts 1987, No. 781, §1; Acts 1990, No. 653, §1, eff. July 19, 1990; Acts 2006, No. 617, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1098.17 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1098.17
Liberal construction
Status: in_force

This Part, being intended to carry out a function of the state to protect the health and welfare of the inhabitants of the state to be affected thereby, shall be liberally construed by the courts to effect its purposes.

Acts 2020, No. 365, §1, eff. June 12, 2020.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2126 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2126
Programs for victims of family violence; creation
Status: in_force

A. In addition to the fees collected for issuance of marriage licenses under the provisions of R.S. 13:841 or R.S. 40:40, each clerk of court or other person or agency authorized to collect marriage license fees shall collect a fee of twelve dollars and fifty cents upon the issuance of each marriage license. Each such person may deduct no more than five percent of the additional fees collected for administrative costs and shall remit the remaining amount of such additional fees to the state treasurer on a monthly basis, in accordance with rules and regulations of the state treasurer.

B. Subject to the exceptions contained in Article VII, Section 9(A) of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974, all such additional fees collected upon issuance of marriage licenses, except as specifically provided in Subsection A of this Section, shall be paid into the state treasury and shall be credited to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund. In addition, the treasurer shall keep an account of the amount of such fees paid into the state treasury from each parish. A copy of this account shall be transmitted to the office on a monthly basis.

C. REPEALED BY ACTS 1992, NO. 984, §18.

D. Revenue from the additional marriage license fees shall be a supplemental source of funding for the state family violence program and shall not be used to replace or to diminish the appropriation of funds out of the state general fund to the office for local family violence programs. Furthermore, nothing contained in this Part is intended to prohibit the appropriation of other funds out of the state general fund to the office for programs to prevent family violence or to prohibit local programs for victims of family violence from receiving funds or any other type of assistance from public or private sources.

Added by Acts 1983, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 60, §1, eff. March 1, 1983; Acts 1985, No. 772, §2, eff. July 19, 1985; Acts 1986, No. 1056, §1, eff. Sept. 1, 1986; Acts 1992, No. 984, §§13 and 18.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:934 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 934
Louisiana Executive Board On Aging; powers, duties, and functions
Status: in_force

NOTE: §934 eff. until one or more of the 20 depts. of the executive branch is abolished or a const. amend. authorizing the creation of an additional dept. becomes effective, whichever is earlier. See Acts 2013, No. 384, §§5 and 9.

A. The board shall develop and implement policies and procedures pertaining to the office of elderly affairs and its functions, shall approve matters of policy and all rules and regulations promulgated by the board or the office which pertain to elderly affairs and voluntary parish councils on aging, shall review and make recommendations to the director on matters of general importance and relevance to the planning, monitoring, coordination, and delivery of services to the elderly of the state, and shall prepare and submit an annual report to the legislature and to the governor sixty days prior to the legislative session.

B. The board shall adopt rules governing the functions of the office, including rules that prescribe the policies and procedures followed by the board and the office in the administration of its programs, all in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

C. The board by rule or its order may delegate any portion of its rights, powers, and duties to the executive director.

NOTE: §934 as amended by Acts 2013, No. 384, §5, eff. when one or more of the 20 depts. of the executive branch is abolished or a const. amend. authorizing the creation of an additional dept. becomes effective, whichever is earlier.

A. The board shall develop and implement policies and procedures pertaining to the Department of Elderly Affairs and its functions, shall approve matters of policy and all rules and regulations promulgated by the board or the department that pertain to elderly affairs and voluntary parish councils on aging, shall review and make recommendations to the secretary on matters of general importance and relevance to the planning, monitoring, coordination, and delivery of services to the elderly of the state, and shall prepare and submit an annual report to the legislature and to the governor sixty days prior to the legislative session.

B. The board shall adopt rules governing the functions of the department, including rules that prescribe the policies and procedures followed by the board and the department in the administration of its programs, all in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. The rules adopted by the board for the Office of Elderly Affairs in effect on the effective date of this Subsection shall remain in effect and shall be applicable to the board and the Department of Elderly Affairs and such rules shall remain in effect subject to their own provisions until changed as provided in this Subsection.

C. The board by rule or its order may delegate any portion of its rights, powers, and duties to the secretary of the department.

Acts 1979, No. 206, §1, eff. July 6, 1979. Amended by Acts 1981, No. 867, §1; Acts 1992, No. 648, §2, eff. July 2, 1992; Acts 2013, No. 384, §5, when one of the 20 executive branch depts. is abolished or a const. amend. authorizing creation of an additional dept. becomes effective, whichever is earlier.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2146 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2146
Composition of the commission
Status: in_force

A. The commission shall be composed of twenty members as follows:

(1) Eighteen of the commission members shall be the following:

(a) The executive director of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association or his designee.

(b) The executive director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence or his designee.

(c) The executive director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association or his designee.

(d) The executive director of the New Orleans Family Justice Center or his designee.

(e) The chair of the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus or her designee.

(f) The chairman of the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice or his designee.

(g) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary B or his designee.

(h) One district court judge with experience in criminal law matters, selected by the president of the Louisiana District Court Judges Association.

(i) One district court judge with experience in family law matters, selected by the president of the Louisiana District Court Judges Association.

(j) The president of the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association or his designee.

(k) One representative of the Department of Justice, office of the attorney general or his designee.

(l) The executive director of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice or his designee.

(m) The secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services or his designee.

(n) The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health or his designee.

(o) One representative of the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers or his designee.

(p) One representative of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives or his designee.

(q) The chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court or his designee.

(r) The president of the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police or his designee.

(2) The following two members of the commission shall be appointed by the governor:

(a) One attorney licensed to practice law in this state who has at least five years experience in representing victims of domestic violence who seek protective orders.

(b) The executive director of a shelter-based or direct service program provider for victims of domestic violence.

B. Of the commission members provided for in Subsection A of this Section, one shall be appointed by the commission members to serve as chairman and one shall be appointed by the commission members to serve as secretary.

C. Members of the commission shall serve for a term concurrent with that of the governor.

D.(1) Each voting member shall be entitled to appoint a single individual to serve as proxy for the duration of his term if the member is unable to attend a meeting of the commission. The term of the designated proxy shall be the same as the voting member. A member appointing an individual to serve as his designated proxy shall make his appointment known to the chairman and to the secretary of the commission.

(2) The proxy appointed by the voting member shall not be subject to the same nominating and appointment procedures as is required for the voting member for whom he is serving.

(3) An individual shall not serve as proxy pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection for more than one voting member of the commission.

E. Legislative members of the commission shall receive the same per diem and reimbursement of travel expenses as is provided for legislative committees under the rules of the respective house. Nonlegislative commission members shall serve without compensation or per diem.

Acts 2014, No. 663, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2181 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2181
Legislative purpose
Status: in_force

A. The legislature hereby finds and declares that sexual assault is a major public health problem and a violation of human rights that affects many women and men at some time in their lives. These effects range from threats of violence or actual violence to the daily limitations that the fear of violence places on victims' lives. The ripple effect of sexual assault threatens the peace, order, health, safety, and general welfare of the state and its residents.

B. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in five women and one in seventy-one men have experienced rape in their lifetime. Rape is recognized as the most under-reported crime, and victims of rape and other forms of sexual assault who do not report the crime still desire safety and protection from future interactions with the offender. Additionally, in some cases the rape or other sexual assault is reported but not prosecuted, as the nature of such allegations are sometimes not easily substantiated to meet the prosecution's burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In such cases, the victims of sexual assault are left without protection.

C. Orders of protection are a proven deterrent that can protect victims of sexual assault from further victimization. However, many victims are forced to pursue civil orders of protection through ordinary process, often unrepresented, rather than through a shortened summary proceeding. Additionally, victims of sexual assault are not always aware of the vast resources available to assist them in recovering from the trauma associated with being a victim of sexual assault.

D. It is the intent of the legislature to provide a civil remedy for all victims of sexual assault that will afford the victim immediate and easily accessible protection.

Acts 2015, No. 242, §3.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2401 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2401
Purpose; short title
Status: in_force

A. The legislature hereby declares that the increasing incidence of child abuse and its attendant human and financial cost to the citizens of Louisiana require that the prevention of child abuse and neglect be identified as a priority within the juvenile service system of this state. It is the intent of the legislature that a comprehensive approach to the prevention of child abuse and neglect be developed for the state, and that this planned, comprehensive approach be used as a basis for funding of programs and services for the prevention of child abuse and neglect statewide.

B. This Chapter may be cited as the "Children's Trust Dedicated Fund Account Act".

Acts 1987, No. 932, §1, eff. July 20, 1987; Acts 2021, No. 114, §18, eff. July 1, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1821 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1821
Limited liability of the state
Status: in_force

The state shall not be liable for the claim of any applicant in excess of the funds appropriated for the payment of claims under this Chapter.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 250, §1, eff. July 17, 1982.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1972 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1972
Purposes and intent
Status: in_force

The purpose and intent of this Chapter is to restore integrity into the process of determining whether an individual has a disability which requires the use of a support animal and to impose penalties on those who determine that an individual requires the use of a support animal without having a reliable basis to do so and those who claim the need for a support animal on account of a disability or handicap without having a reliable basis for that need. It is the further purpose and intent of this Chapter to place limitations on individuals and businesses selling support animals and items attendant to support animals. It is also the purpose and intent of this Chapter to penalize those who misrepresent an animal as a service dog and to provide immunity to owners and lessors of residential dwellings from and against liability for injuries and damages caused by support animals and service dogs.

Acts 2024, No. 558, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1195 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1195
Powers and duties of governing board
Status: in_force

A. In addition to the duties defined elsewhere in this Chapter, the governing board shall have the duty and authority:

(1) To represent the public interest in supporting healthcare services in the district.

(2) To advise on issues concerning the provision of healthcare services for the low-income and uninsured population of the district.

(3) To conduct public hearings and share public input on the community's priorities for the provision of healthcare services in the district.

(4) To appoint the necessary standing and special committees that may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Chapter.

(5) To enter into contracts, agreements, or cooperative endeavors with the state and its political subdivisions and with any public or private association, corporation, business entity or person to promote the public purposes of the district.

B. The secretary of the department shall review each such agreement, including a plan for the use of state Medicaid and disproportionate share dollars. If the secretary finds that the agreement and plans are sufficient to support medical care for the low-income and uninsured population of the district and the funds are eligible for federal matching funds to be reimbursed, he shall verify that finding to the governing board.

C. The governing board shall collect or cause to be collected all public monies identified by the district as available for the purpose of serving as state match for federal matching funds to ensure the provision of healthcare services delivered for the low-income and uninsured population of the district.

D. The department shall make available for reimbursement these local and federally matched funds to the designated providers in the district to ensure the continued provision of healthcare services for the low-income and uninsured population of the district.

E. Neither the division of administration nor the department shall displace, replace, or supplant state appropriations from the state general fund or other state funds designated for the district.

F. The governing board shall submit any reports or information related to the healthcare service district to the secretary of the department or the Senate and House committees on health and welfare upon request of the secretary or the chairman of either committee.

Acts 2012, No. 857, §1; Acts 2018, No. 206, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:281 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 281
Applicability
Status: in_force

The provisions of this Subpart shall apply to persons who contract with the office of children and family services of the Department of Children and Family Services to provide temporary or long-term foster care for not more than six children.

NOTE: §281 as amended by Acts 2025, No. 477, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.

§281. Applicability

The provisions of this Subpart shall apply to persons who contract with the Department of Children and Family Services to provide temporary or long-term foster care for not more than six children.

Added by Acts 1978, No. 741, §1; H.C.R. 115, 2001 R.S; Acts 2025, No. 477, §15, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2136.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2136.1
Costs paid by abuser
Status: in_force

A. Except as provided in Subsection B of this Section, all court costs, attorney fees, costs of enforcement and modification proceedings, costs of appeal, evaluation fees, and expert witness fees incurred in maintaining or defending any proceeding concerning domestic abuse assistance in accordance with the provisions of this Part shall be paid by the perpetrator of the domestic violence, including all costs of medical and psychological care for the abused adult, or for any of the children, necessitated by the domestic violence.

B. If the court determines the petition was frivolous, the court may order the nonprevailing party to pay all court costs and reasonable attorney fees of the other party. Failure to appear at a hearing on the petition shall not on its own constitute grounds for assessing court costs and fees against the petitioner.

Acts 1997, No. 1156, §7; Acts 2006, No. 777, §2; Acts 2008, No. 411, §1, eff. June 21, 2008; Acts 2018, No. 264, §4; Acts 2022, No. 416, §2, eff. June 15, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:437.11 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 437.11
Provider agreements
Status: in_force

A. The department shall make payments from medical assistance programs funds for goods, services, or supplies rendered to recipients to any person who has a provider agreement in effect with the department, who is complying with all federal and state laws and rules pertaining to the medical assistance programs, and who agrees that no person shall be subjected to discrimination under the medical assistance programs because of race, creed, ethnic origin, sex, age, or physical condition.

B. Each provider agreement shall require the health care provider to comply fully with all federal and state laws and rules pertaining to the medical assistance programs, to licensure, if required, and the practice of medicine, osteopathy, surgery, and midwifery. The provider agreement shall require the health care provider to provide goods, services, or supplies only if medically necessary and that are within the scope and quality of standard care.

C. Each provider agreement shall be a voluntary contract between the department and the health care provider in which the health care provider agrees to comply with federal and state laws and rules pertaining to the medical assistance programs when furnishing goods, services, or supplies to a recipient and the department agrees to pay a sum, determined by fee schedule, payment methodology, or other method, for the goods, services, or supplies provided to the recipient. However, a provider agreement shall not be construed to be a contract for the purposes of R.S. 42:1113(D).

D.(1) Unless the provider agreement is terminated by the secretary for cause as provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, a health care provider agreement shall be effective for a stipulated period of time, shall be terminable by either party thirty days after receipt of written notice, and shall be renewable by mutual agreement.

(2) The secretary may terminate a provider agreement immediately and without written notice if a health care provider is the subject of a sanction or of a criminal, civil, or departmental proceeding.

E. Each health care provider who has a provider agreement with the department shall receive at least one provider number but may receive more than one provider number.

Acts 1997, No. 1142, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1403.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1403.1
Extended stay for completion of educational courses or other programs
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a child housed at a residential home, transitional placing program, or in foster care may stay at such home, transitional placing program, or in foster care until his twenty-first birthday while participating in the extended foster care program set forth in R.S. 46:288.1 et seq., or any other program offered by the residential home.

Acts 2001, No. 912, §1; Acts 2016, No. 502, §1; Acts 2017, No. 376, §2; Acts 2018, No. 206, §5; Acts 2018, No. 649, §1, eff. June 1, 2018; Acts 2019, No. 400, §2, eff. June 19, 2019.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2417 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2417
Notification to local citizen review board of new cases
Status: in_force

A. The clerk of the court shall forward to the local citizen review board, within ten days:

(1) A copy of each judgment of disposition for a child who has been adjudicated to be in need of care and whose custody is awarded to the department.

(2) A copy of the informal adjustment for each child placed in the custody of the department as the result of a child in need of care proceeding.

B. Whenever a child has been removed from his home and placed in foster care pursuant to a child in need of care proceeding and no judgment of disposition or informal adjustment has been entered within one hundred and twenty days of placement, the department shall notify the local citizen review board that the child is in foster care.

C. Whenever a child has been placed in the custody of the department, voluntarily and not through a court proceeding, for reasons other than delinquency or need of supervision, as defined in the Children's Code, the department shall, within ten days, forward a copy of the placement agreement to the clerk of court in the judicial district where the child is located. The clerk of the court shall forward the placement agreement to a local citizen review board appointed by the court. If a judicial proceeding is subsequently commenced in another court, the citizen review board shall forward to the court where proceedings are pending all documents, records, and written information in its possession relative to the case. The receiving court shall make and retain additional copies of the case permanency plan, case progress reports, and observations and recommendations of the local citizen review board and shall assign the case and forward all documents, records, and written information to a new local board.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 610, §1; eff. July 1, 1984; Acts 2021, No. 158, §6.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:440.11 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 440.11
Legislative findings; declaration; purpose
Status: in_force

A. The legislature hereby finds all of the following:

(1) States are required to implement provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, comprised of Public Laws 111-148 and 111-152, relative to Medicaid recovery audit contractors.

(2) The recovery audit function is a useful tool for improving Medicaid program integrity and ensuring that public monies are used for appropriate and necessary healthcare services.

(3) Healthcare providers are subject to numerous audits from the state and federal health agencies and reviews by Medicaid managed care companies which result in increased administrative costs that raise costs to all healthcare consumers.

B. The legislature hereby declares that simplifying and standardizing Medicaid recovery audit functions is necessary and in the best interest of this state. Therefore, the purpose of this Subpart is to provide for greater Medicaid program integrity by establishing a standardized recovery audit contractor program.

Acts 2014, No. 568, §1, eff. Aug. 15, 2014.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:353 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 353
Louisiana's pathway to independency workforce training and education pilot initiative; creation; advisory board; functions
Status: in_force

A.(1) Subject to applicable federal law and regulation, there is hereby established a workforce training and education pilot initiative for public assistance recipients for the purpose of improving employment opportunities and promoting workforce advancement. The heads of the state partners in collaboration with an advisory board shall administer the initiative in accordance with the provisions of this Part. The advisory board shall consist of the following members:

(a) The secretary of Louisiana Works or his designee.

(b) The secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services or his designee.

(c) The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health or his designee.

(d) The state superintendent of education or his designee.

(e) The president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System or his designee.

(f) A representative of Together Louisiana.

(g) The president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Louisiana State Conference, or his designee.

(h) The president of the Louisiana AFL-CIO or his designee.

(i) The president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry or his designee.

(j) The state senator for Senate District 34.

(k) Two individuals appointed by the state senator for Senate District 34.

(l) The state representatives for House Districts 16, 17, 21, 26, and 40.

(m) The state network director for Unite Louisiana or his designee.

(n) The executive director of 232-Help/Louisiana 211 or his designee.

(o) The executive director of a workforce investment board in Concordia Parish.

(p) The executive director of a workforce investment board in Madison Parish.

(q) The executive director of a workforce investment board in Morehouse Parish.

(r) The executive director of a workforce investment board in Richland Parish.

(s) The executive director of a workforce investment board in Tensas Parish.

(2)(a) The state senator for Senate District 34 shall serve as the chair of the advisory board. Upon approval of the chair, the membership of the advisory board may be increased to include a representative of any interested party.

(b) The members of the advisory board shall serve without compensation, except per diem or expense reimbursement to which they may be individually entitled as a member of their respective constituent organization.

(c) The state partners shall provide staff support as needed by the advisory board.

(d) The advisory board shall meet upon the call of the chair and may meet as frequently as necessary for the timely performance of its duties. The advisory board shall meet in any parish served by the initiative or in East Baton Rouge Parish.

(3)(a) The state partners in collaboration with the advisory board shall design the initiative's operations and system of services to allow implementation of the program in all parishes of the state upon review of the program with an evaluation demonstrating successful performance.

(b) Prior to the design and implementation of the initiative, the advisory board shall conduct meetings for the purpose of receiving public input regarding the program. The first meeting shall be called by the chair no later than August 31, 2022.

(c) The advisory board may work with the local human service districts and authorities for assistance with the design and implementation of the initiative.

B.(1) The program shall initially operate and serve participants in the following parishes:

(a) Concordia.

(b) East Carroll.

(c) Madison.

(d) Morehouse.

(e) Ouachita.

(f) Richland.

(g) St. Landry.

(h) Tensas.

(2) The geographic service area of the initiative may be expanded beyond the parishes specified in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection after an evaluation utilizing performance outcome driven data and information regarding participant experience. The state partners and advisory board may work with the local human service districts and authorities for assistance with expansion of the initiative.

C. Participation in the initiative by public assistance recipients shall be voluntary.

D. Work supports and workforce education services provided by the initiative may include any of the following:

(1) Job referral services.

(2) Job skills development.

(3) Job support services.

(4) Career planning.

(5) Job training.

(6) Workforce readiness.

(7) Apprenticeship programs.

(8) Vocational education.

(9) Basic education.

(10) Educational certificates.

(11) Supportive services.

Acts 2018, No. 271, §1; Acts 2022, No. 506, §1, eff. June 16, 2022; Acts 2024, No. 336, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1092 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1092
Officers; meetings
Status: in_force

A. The commission shall elect one of its members chairman and one vice chairman.

B. All meetings of the commission shall be held at the domicile of the district which shall be established by the parish governing authority. At least three regular meetings shall be held annually. Special meetings may be held at such times and places as shall be specified, by call of the chairman or the police jury.

Acts 2003, No. 1214, §1, eff. July 3, 2003.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:401 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 401
Reciprocal agreements regarding interstate transportation of poor and indigent
Status: in_force

The Department of Children and Family Services, subject to the approval of the attorney general, may enter into reciprocal agreements with corresponding state agencies of other states regarding the interstate transportation of poor and indigent persons, and may arrange with the proper officials in this state for the acceptance, transfer, and support of persons receiving public aid in other states in accordance with the terms of the reciprocal agreements; provided that this state shall not, nor shall any parish or other political subdivision of this state, be committed to the support of persons who are not, in the opinion of the department, entitled to public support by the laws of this state.

Amended by Acts 1978, No. 786, §6, eff. July 17, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1831.15 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1831.15
Limited liability of the state
Status: in_force

The state shall not be liable for the claim of any applicant in excess of the funds appropriated for the payment of claims under this Chapter.

Acts 2023, No. 451, §2.

NOTE: Pursuant to R.S. 46:1831.16, this Chapter will terminate Aug. 1, 2027.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:1443.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 1443.2
Legislative findings; purposes
Status: in_force

A. The Legislature of Louisiana hereby finds and declares the following:

(1) Families with minor children comprise a significant and growing segment of the homeless population of this state.

(2) As filed with the Administration for Children and Families, the Child Care and Development Fund plan of this state for the period October 1, 2013, through September 30, 2015, authorizes the same services for families experiencing homelessness as for other low-income families. However, the plan does not address other eligibility factors that may be a barrier for homeless families in seeking child care assistance.

(3) Louisiana requires parents who receive subsidized child care to work or attend school for a prescribed number of hours in a defined period as a condition of receiving child care assistance but, unlike many other states, does not waive work and education activity requirements for homeless parents.

(4) Compliance with work and education activity requirements, as is mandated currently for homeless parents to receive child care assistance, is disproportionately more burdensome for homeless parents than for parents with stable housing, and creates unique risks to the safety and health of homeless children.

B. The purposes of this Chapter include, without limitation, the following:

(1) To mitigate barriers that Louisiana families experiencing homelessness face in accessing child care.

(2) To reduce the incidence of developmental delays and physical and mental health problems among young children who experience homelessness by providing access to quality child care.

Acts 2014, No. 787, §2, eff. June 19, 2014.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:975.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 975.1
Preventive cancer screening following a bilateral mastectomy; medical assistance program
Status: in_force

A. The annual preventive cancer screening provided for in R.S. 22:1077.1 shall be a covered service in the medical assistance program.

B. For the purposes of this Section, "medical assistance program" means the medical assistance program provided for in Title XIX of the Social Security Act as administered by the Louisiana Department of Health.

Acts 2018, No. 461, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2019.
La. Rev. Stat. § 46:2600 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 46 / Section 2600
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this Chapter:

(1) "Community-based program" means programs that are accessible, culturally and linguistically, in locations that people use in the community, such as community centers, schools, shopping areas, and governmental buildings and which are operated by either:

(a) A local public agency.

(b) An independent, private for-profit or not-for-profit organization when the communities service needs are defined by the local community and planned and monitored by a broad-based group of community representatives invested by a local government with the authority and responsibility to plan such services.

(2) "Exemplary and promising program" means programs that meet high scientific standards, as evidenced in published evaluations, and that have been shown to work effectively and can be expected to have a positive result in a wide range of community settings.

(3) "Exemplary sanctions" may include but are not limited to electronic monitoring, diversion, community service, victim restitution, house arrest, intensive juvenile supervision, tracker programs, substance abuse assessment and testing, first-time offender programs, intensive individual and family treatment, structured day treatment and structured residential programs, aftercare or parole community supervision, balanced and restorative justice programs, and residential and nonresidential services for juvenile offenders.

(4) "Juvenile justice" means the system of public and private services in Louisiana that includes prevention, early identification, early intervention, child protection, law enforcement, prosecution, defense, adjudication, diversion and informal processing, probation, corrections, aftercare, transitional living, and other services provided to children and families who either are or are likely to be brought into a court with juvenile jurisdiction because of problems such as abuse, neglect or abandonment, mental illness, substance abuse, aspects of a divorce and breakup of families, pre-delinquency, social irresponsibility or delinquent behavior, or spousal abuse involving children.

(5) "Regionally based programs" means those programs that are delivered in one of the nine regional service areas.

(6) "Regional service area" means the following nine regions:

(a) Region 1 includes the parishes of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard.

(b) Region 2 includes the parishes of East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana.

(c) Region 3 includes the parishes of Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington.

(d) Region 4 includes the parishes of Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, and Terrebonne.

(e) Region 5 includes the parishes of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion.

(f) Region 6 includes the parishes of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis.

(g) Region 7 includes the parishes of Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Rapides, Vernon, and Winn.

(h) Region 8 includes the parishes of Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Desoto, Jackson, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, and Webster.

(i) Region 9 includes the parishes of Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union, and West Carroll.

(7) "School-based programs" means those programs operated at the school and developed in coordination with juvenile justice agencies, parents, and community agencies to address student behavioral and discipline issues.

Acts 2003, No. 1225, §6.