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SR 205

SOCIAL SERVICES: Establishes the Empowering Families to Live Well Louisiana Task Force.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Regina Barrow

Creates a task force to research and recommend coordinated, evidence-based state actions to empower struggling Louisiana families, reporting by March 1, 2027.

Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time by title and adopted.
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Bill Summary · SR 205

Overview

Senate Resolution (SR) 205 of the 2026 Regular Session in Louisiana establishes the Empowering Families to Live Well Louisiana Task Force. The task force is charged with researching best practices and developing recommendations to assist and empower struggling families across the state. It requires a written report of findings and recommendations by March 1, 2027.

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill aims to coordinate and enhance state efforts to combat poverty and support families in need.
  • It emphasizes the responsibility of state government to administer and coordinate efforts across multiple departments to empower families facing poverty.
  • The ultimate goal is to create a consolidated, well-managed plan and set of recommendations for improving outcomes for vulnerable families.

Key Provisions

  • Establishment: Creates the Empowering Families to Live Well Louisiana Task Force.
  • Scope of work: The task force shall research best practices and develop recommendations for state action to assist and empower struggling families in Louisiana.
  • Reporting: The task force must submit a written report with findings and recommendations to the Empowering Families to Live Well Louisiana Council, the Legislature, and the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library, in accordance with R.S. 24:771 and 772, no later than March 1, 2027.
  • Membership: The task force is composed of 15 members (designees from specified offices and organizations, plus at-large and Ellevate Louisiana representatives):
    1. Secretary, Louisiana Department of Health (or designee)
    2. Secretary, Department of Children and Family Services (or designee)
    3. President Pro Tempore of the Senate (chair)
    4. Secretary, Louisiana Works (or designee)
    5. President, Louisiana Community and Technical College System (or designee)
    6. Secretary, Louisiana Economic Development (or designee)
    7. Superintendent, Department of Education (or designee)
    8. Executive Director, Louisiana Housing Corporation (or designee)
    9. Commissioner of Higher Education (or designee)
    10. President/CEO, Louisiana Association of United Ways (or designee)
    11. President, Urban League of Louisiana (or designee)
    12. President, Louisiana AFL-CIO (or designee)
    13. Executive Director, Children’s Cabinet (or designee)
    14. One at-large member appointed by the Governor
    15. One member representing Ellevate Louisiana
  • Appointment timeline: Designating authorities must submit their designee names to the Senate President Pro Tempore by August 1, 2026.
  • Meetings: The task force must convene its first meeting by October 1, 2026, at the chair’s call.
  • Staffing: Staff support will be provided by the Louisiana Department of Health.
  • Quorum and voting: A majority constitutes a quorum; all official actions require a majority vote of the members.
  • Compensation: Members serve without compensation, though they may receive per diem or expense reimbursement as permitted by their respective organizations.
  • Duration: The task force terminates on the later of the date the report is submitted or March 1, 2027, whichever comes first.
  • Communications: A copy of the resolution is to be transmitted to key state health, education, workforce, housing, higher education, and civic leadership entities, including Ellevate Louisiana and the governor.

Who Is Affected

  • State agencies and departments listed as members or designees (Health, Children and Family Services, Works, Education, Housing Corporation, Economic Development, Higher Education, among others).
  • Higher education and workforce development systems (Louisiana Community and Technical College System; Commissioner of Higher Education; Louisiana Economic Development).
  • Nonprofit and advocacy organizations (Louisiana Association of United Ways; Urban League of Louisiana; Louisiana AFL-CIO; Ellevate Louisiana).
  • The Governor (via at-large appointment) and the public through the task force’s findings.
  • The public, specifically families experiencing poverty or struggling to meet basic needs, who could benefit from improved state policies and coordination.

Procedural and Timeline Highlights

  • Designee submission deadline: August 1, 2026.
  • First meeting: No later than October 1, 2026.
  • Report due: No later than March 1, 2027.
  • Staffing: Provided by the Louisiana Department of Health.
  • Termination: Task force ends upon report submission or March 1, 2027, whichever occurs first.

Potential Impact

  • Improves cross-department coordination on poverty alleviation and family empowerment.
  • Produces a consolidated set of recommendations that could influence future legislation, budgeting, and program design.
  • Involves a broad coalition of government agencies, higher education, and nonprofit and labor organizations, which may enhance legitimacy and implementability of recommendations.
  • The emphasis on best practices suggests potential adoption of evidence-based approaches across health, housing, education, workforce, and social services.

Note: As a resolution establishing a task force, SR 205 creates a framework for study and recommendations rather than enacting new statutes or spending commitments directly.

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

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