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HB 223

SUNSET LAW: Re-creates the Department of Children and Family Services

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dustin Miller

HB 223 aims to re-create Louisiana’s Department of Children and Family Services to administer child welfare and family services with defined governance, funding, and programs.

Read by title and returned to the Calendar, subject to call.
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Bill Summary · HB 223

Overview

HB 223 (Louisiana, 2026) is a sunset law measure that aims to re-create the Department of Children and Family Services. The bill was advanced through the Louisiana Legislature in 2026, with a House passage and referral history indicating alignment with health and welfare oversight. The co-sponsor is Dustin Miller.

Purpose and Intent

  • The primary purpose of HB 223 is to re-establish (re-create) the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in Louisiana.
  • As a sunset-style bill, it is designed to set the framework, powers, responsibilities, and governance for the department, likely instituting it as the agency responsible for child welfare, family services, and related programs that may have previously undergone reorganizations or consolidations.

Key Provisions and Changes (as indicated by the title and typical sunset-law structure)

  • Establishment: Re-creation of the DCFS as a state department or its reestablishment under state government structure.
  • Governance and Administration: Likely outlines the organizational framework, including the department’s leadership (secretary or commissioner equivalent), board or advisory bodies (if any), and departmental duties.
  • Scope of Services: Expected to cover child protective services, foster care, adoption, family services, child welfare programs, and related supports for vulnerable populations (children, families, and potentially youths transitioning out of care).
  • Powers and Duties: Authorities to regulate, fund, administer programs, set policies, and coordinate with other state agencies (e.g., health, welfare, education) as needed for child and family services.
  • Funding and Budget: Provisions for state funding, budgeting processes, and possibly federal funds or matching programs to support DCFS operations.
  • Sunset and Revisions: Although titled as a sunset law, the text would typically specify how the department’s re-creation is to be evaluated, with potential sunset provisions or reporting requirements tied to program effectiveness and fiscal impact.
  • Administrative Rules: Authority to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the department’s programs.

Note: The exact statutory language is not provided here, so the above reflects typical elements of a sunset-law re-creation of a state department for child and family services. The precise powers, organizational structure, reporting lines, and funding mechanisms would be defined in the bill’s text.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Vulnerable populations: Children in the state, including those in foster care, in need of protective services, or receiving family support services.
  • Families: Recipients of family services, assistance programs, or guardianship-related support.
  • State Agencies: Other state departments that coordinate with DCFS (e.g., Department of Health, Department of Education) for interagency collaboration.
  • Public and Agencies: Local governments, service providers, and nonprofit organizations engaged in child and family services may be affected by changes in administration, funding, and program implementation.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • House Actions:
    • 2026-02-19: Provisionally referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.
    • 2026-03-09: Read by title, referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare (under the rules).
    • 2026-03-26: Read by title, engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.
    • 2026-03-31: Read third time by title, roll called on final passage; yeas 99, nays 0. Final passage, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
    • 2026-04-07: Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare (in the Senate).
  • Status: As of the latest action, the bill has passed the House and is referred to the Senate for consideration, following a unanimous approval on final passage in the House.
  • Next steps: If the Senate concurs without amendment, the bill would proceed to the governor for signature. Any Senate amendments would require House concurrence.

Summary

HB 223 seeks to re-create the Department of Children and Family Services in Louisiana under a sunset-law framework, establishing the agency’s structure, authority, and programs to administer child welfare and family services. The bill advances a clear, comprehensive governance and funding pathway to revive or reconstitute the department, with emphasis on accountability, interagency coordination, and program delivery to children and families across the state.

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

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