WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 435

CHILDREN: Establishes the Commission on Fatherhood Engagement. (8/1/26)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Regina Barrow and 23 co-sponsors

Creates the Louisiana Commission on Fatherhood Engagement to coordinate interagency programs, fund and assess fatherhood initiatives, and improve family outcomes.

Effective date: See Act.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 435

Summary of Louisiana SB 435 (2026)

Purpose

  • Establishes the Louisiana Commission on Fatherhood Engagement within the Office of the Governor.
  • Serves as a successor to the previously established Task Force on Fatherhood Engagement (created by SCR No. 9, 2025 R.S.).
  • Aims to promote responsible fatherhood, support fathers’ engagement with their children, and coordinate across state agencies to improve outcomes for families.

Key Provisions

Creation and Location

  • Creates the Louisiana Commission on Fatherhood Engagement (the “commission”) within the office of the governor.

Membership

The commission is composed of the following members:
1. Director of Early Childhood Systems in the Office of the Governor.
2. Executive director of the Louisiana Children's Cabinet (or designee).
3. Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (or designee).
4. Superintendent of the Louisiana Department of Education (or designee).
5. Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (or designee).
6. Director of the Bureau of Family Health in the Louisiana Department of Health (or designee).
7. Secretary of Louisiana Works (or designee).
8. A member of the Louisiana Senate appointed by the President of the Senate.
9. A member of the Louisiana House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker.
10. A representative from the Louisiana Supreme Court.
11. The director of the Louisiana Head Start Collaboration.
12. CEO of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children (or designee).
13. A family court judge appointed by the governor.
14. A representative from a faith community that promotes fatherhood engagement.
15. A representative from a parenting education organization that operates across multiple parishes.
16. One representative from each of nine public health regions (an organization providing fatherhood programs in that region). If no regional provider exists, this seat may be filled by a father who is a community leader or an additional faith-based representative.

Governance and Operations

  • A majority of the members constitutes a quorum; formal actions require a majority vote of those present and voting.
  • Terms: Members appointed to the commission serve two-year terms. Directors, secretaries, and superintendents serve on the commission as long as they hold their respective positions. Members may be reappointed.
  • Vacancies: Filled in the same manner as original appointments. Interim appointees serve the remainder of the term. Members continue serving until a successor is appointed.
  • Compensation: Members serve without pay but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses.
  • Leadership: The commission elects a chairperson from among its members in odd-numbered years.

Duties and Activities

The commission’s duties include, but are not limited to:
1. Implementing recommendations from the Task Force on Fatherhood Engagement and related developments approved by the commission.
2. Raising awareness about the importance of fathers’ engagement, available resources, and barriers faced by Louisiana fathers.
3. Identifying resources to fund fatherhood-related programs and supporting the creation or expansion of initiatives that:
- Promote responsible fatherhood.
- Build parenting and co-parenting skills.
- Provide employment-related services for low-income fathers.
- Assist incarcerated or recently released fathers in maintaining or reestablishing family relationships.
- Reconcile fathers with their families.
- Support cross-agency fatherhood programming and improve data collection related to fathers and engagement.
- Support fathers during the prenatal period.
- Help fathers of minor children access and maintain stable housing.
- Improve policies and practices for fair opportunities for fathers in child custody, visitation, and family court proceedings.
- Increase public awareness of fathers’ critical role.
4. Organizing a state summit on fatherhood at least once every four years.
5. Annual reporting on expected outcomes of fatherhood-related programs and the methods used to measure those outcomes.
6. An annual comprehensive report to the legislature with funding requests for fatherhood programs overseen by the commission and allocated to community organizations.

Sunset

  • The provisions establishing the commission terminate on January 1, 2031.

Target Audience and Impact

  • Fathers and families in Louisiana, especially those affected by custody, housing, employment barriers, incarceration, or access to parenting resources.
  • State agencies and organizations delivering fatherhood programs, education, housing, health, and child welfare services.
  • Policymakers and the public, via annual reporting and a biennial (every two years) or annual cycle of engagement and assessment.

Timeline and Status

  • Effective date: August 1, 2026.
  • The bill adds a new statutory entity: R.S. 46:261, establishing the commission and outlining its structure, duties, and sunset.
  • Reported favorably in April 2026; introduced March 2026.

Notes

  • The bill emphasizes interagency coordination, data improvement, and regular accountability to the legislature through annual reporting and a triennial (every four years) state summit.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.