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HB224 • 2026

CHILDRENS CODE: Provides for the continuous revision of the Children's Code

CHILDRENS CODE: Provides for the continuous revision of the Children's Code

Children Education Labor
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Mike Johnson
Last action
2026-05-15
Official status
Signed by the Governor - Act 139
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide detailed information on how continuous revision will occur beyond amending and reenacting specific articles.

Children's Code Continuous Revision Act

This act amends and reenacts several articles in Louisiana's Children's Code to update definitions and procedures related to child welfare.

What This Bill Does

  • Updates the definition of 'caretaker' to exclude operators or employees of correctional facilities, detention facilities, nonresidential schools, or unlicensed residential or child care providers.
  • Adds a new term 'intervention' which allows relatives or suitable individuals to formally participate in proceedings to help a child's best interests.
  • Requires written findings of facts when a parent is absent from court hearings.
  • Ensures notice is given to foster caregivers, pre-adoptive parents, and relatives providing care for children.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Children who are in need of care under state supervision.
  • Foster caregivers, pre-adoptive parents, and relatives providing care for children.
  • Parents whose rights may be affected by court proceedings.

Terms To Know

Caretaker
A person legally responsible for providing adequate care to a child.
Intervention
An action allowing relatives or suitable individuals to formally participate in proceedings to help a child's best interests.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The act does not specify how the continuous revision of the Children's Code will be implemented.
  • It is unclear what specific changes will be made beyond those listed in the bill text.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-15 H

    Effective date: 08/01/2026.

  2. 2026-05-15 H

    Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 139.

  3. 2026-05-13 H

    Sent to the Governor for executive approval.

  4. 2026-05-13 S

    Signed by the President of the Senate.

  5. 2026-05-12 H

    Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.

  6. 2026-05-12 H

    Received from the Senate without amendments.

  7. 2026-05-11 S

    Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

  8. 2026-05-04 S

    Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.

  9. 2026-04-29 S

    Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

  10. 2026-04-28 S

    Reported favorably.

  11. 2026-04-01 S

    Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary A.

  12. 2026-03-31 S

    Received in the Senate. Rules suspended. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

  13. 2026-03-31 H

    Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 98, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

  14. 2026-03-30 H

    Scheduled for floor debate on 03/31/2026.

  15. 2026-03-26 H

    Read by title, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.

  16. 2026-03-25 H

    Reported favorably (11-0).

  17. 2026-03-09 H

    Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.

  18. 2026-02-20 H

    First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/20/2026.

  19. 2026-02-19 H

    Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.

  20. 2026-02-19 H

    Prefiled.

Official Summary Text

CHILDRENS CODE: Provides for the continuous revision of the Children's Code

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
ENROLLED
ACT No. 1392026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 224
BY REPRESENTATIVE MIKE JOHNSON
(On Recommendation of the Louisiana State Law Institute)
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact Children's Code Articles 603(4)(a), (14), (15), (17)(l), and (20),
3 616(F), 622(B)(4), 623(A), (D), and (E), 624(B) and (C), 631(B), 646(A) and (C),
4 672.3(C)(3), 679(B) through (F), 690(B)(3), 694(A), 695(A), (C), and (D), 696(B),
5 702(D)(2)(c), 704(A), 705(A), (C), and (D), 706(B), 740, 1004(G), 1112(B), 1269.1,
6 1269.2(B) and (C), 1269.7, 1279.6(A)(1), (B), and (C), 1404(1), and
7 1427(C)(1)(introductory paragraph) and (a), to enact Children's Code Articles
8 603(33), 646(F), 658.1, and 1003(15), and to repeal Children's Code Articles 650,
9 697, and 707, relative to the continuous revision of the Children's Code; to provide
10 for definitions; to provide for a change in terminology; to provide with respect to
11 absent parents, children, foster caregivers, pre-adoptive parents, and relatives
12 providing care to a child; to require written findings of facts; to provide for
13 intervention; to require notice to intervenors; to provide for the exclusion of
14 intervenors; to provide for advising children and parents of their rights; and to
15 provide for related matters.
16 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
17 Section 1. Children's Code Articles 603(4)(a), (14), (15), (17)(l), and (20), 616(F),
18 622(B)(4), 623(A), (D), and (E), 624(B) and (C), 631(B), 646(A) and (C), 672.3(C)(3),
19 679(B) through (F), 690(B)(3), 694(A), 695(A), (C), and (D), 696(B), 702(D)(2)(c), 704(A),
20 705(A), (C), and (D), 706(B), 740, 1004(G), 1112(B), 1269.1, 1269.2(B) and (C), 1269.7,
21 1279.6(A)(1), (B), and (C), 1404(1), and 1427(C)(1)(introductory paragraph) and (a) are
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1 hereby amended and reenacted and Children's Code Articles 603(33), 646(F), 658.1, and
2 1003(15) are hereby enacted to read as follows:
3 Art. 603. Definitions
4 As used in this Title:
5 * * *
6 (4)(a) "Caretaker" means any person legally obligated to provide or secure
7 adequate care for a child, including a parent, tutor, guardian, legal custodian, foster
8 parent caregiver, an operator or employee of a residential or treatment facility
9 licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services department or the
10 Louisiana Department of Health, or other person providing a residence for the child.
11 "Caretaker" shall not include an operator or employee of a correctional facility,
12 detention facility, nonresidential school, or unlicensed residential or child care
13 provider.
14 * * *
15 (14) "Foster care" means placement in that the child is in the custody of the
16 department and the department is providing temporary services including care by a
17 foster family home caregiver, a relative's home relative, a residential child caring
18 facility, or other living arrangement approved and supervised by the state for
19 provision of substitute care for a child in the department's custody. Such placement
20 shall not include a detention facility.
21 (15) "Foster parent caregiver" means an individual who provides residential
22 foster a home and care with the approval and under the supervision of the department
23 for a child in its custody.
24 * * *
25 (17) "Mandatory reporter" is any of the following individuals:
26 * * *
27 (l) A foster parent caregiver.
28 * * *
29 (20) "Other suitable individual" means a person, other than a relative, with
30 whom the child or parent enjoys a close, established, significant relationship, yet not
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1 a blood relative, including a neighbor, godparent, teacher, or close friend of the
2 parent, or similarly situated individual.
3 * * *
4 (33) "Intervention" means an action by which a relative or other suitable
5 individual may participate formally in a proceeding to facilitate permanency or to
6 present evidence that it would be in the best interest of a child for the intervenor to
7 be awarded custody of the child, visitation with the child, or another remedy.
8 * * *
9 Art. 616. Registry; screening of CASA volunteers, staff, and board members;
10 confidentiality
11 * * *
12 F. Information from investigations of reports that are inconclusive may be
13 disclosed, with the applicant's written consent, for the limited purposes of evaluating
14 the applicant to be a foster parent caregiver, an adoptive parent, or a caregiver
15 pursuant to R.S. 46:56(F)(11).
16 * * *
17 Art. 622. Placement pending a continued custody hearing
18 * * *
19 B. Unless the best interest of the child requires a different placement, a child
20 who appears to be a child in need of care and whose immediate removal is necessary
21 shall be placed, pending a continued custody hearing, in accordance with the
22 following priorities of placement:
23 * * *
24 (4) In foster care under the supervision of the department until further orders
25 of the court.
26 * * *
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1 Art. 623. Notice; right to be heard
2 A. The department shall give notice of any order regarding the child issued
3 in accordance with Article 619(C) or 620 to the child's parents,; the district defender
4 or other entity designated for the jurisdiction by the Indigent Parents' Representation
5 Program for representing parents,; the entity designated for the jurisdiction by the
6 Louisiana Supreme Court to provide qualified, independent counsel for the child,;
7 and other parties. The department shall also give notice regarding any child in foster
8 care, to any foster parent caregiver, pre-adoptive parent, and relative providing care.
9 The department shall notify the court of each party's address and shall have a
10 continuing duty to provide current information to the court about each party's
11 whereabouts.
12 * * *
13 D. If a foster parent caregiver, pre-adoptive parent, or relative providing care
14 for the child fails to appear at a hearing, the department shall report to the court
15 whether notice was given or, if not, what diligent efforts were made to locate and
16 notify the absent person. The court may permit the hearing to be held in the person's
17 absence.
18 E. The court shall solicit and consider information regarding the care and
19 treatment of the child from any foster parent caregiver, pre-adoptive parent, or
20 relative providing care for the child who appears for the hearing.
21 Art. 624. Continued custody hearing; continued safety plan hearing; federal Indian
22 Child Welfare Act
23 * * *
24 B. After notice to all parties, and when a child is in foster care, to any foster
25 parent caregiver, pre-adoptive parent, and relative providing care, and upon a
26 showing of good cause, the court may grant, deny, or condition a requested
27 continuance of the proceeding in accordance with the best interests interest of the
28 child. The hearing may be continued for up to three additional days. If a
29 continuance is granted, the court shall issue a written order identifying the mover and
30 reciting the particular facts justifying the continuance.
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1 C.(1) If a parent is absent, the court shall make written findings of fact or
2 include in the minutes whether notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing and
3 the right to attend and be heard was properly provided by the department. If it
4 appears from the record that, after diligent efforts by the department, the parent
5 cannot be found or has been served a summons or notified by the department to
6 appear at the continued custody or continued safety plan hearing and fails to appear
7 at the hearing, then the court may permit the hearing may to be held in the parent's
8 absence.
9 (2) If a foster parent caregiver, pre-adoptive parent, adoptive parent, or
10 relative providing care for the child fails to appear at the hearing, the department
11 shall report to is absent, the court shall make written findings of fact or include in the
12 minutes whether notice was given, or, if not, what of the date, time, and place of the
13 hearing and the right to attend and be heard was properly provided by the
14 department. If the court determines that diligent efforts were made by the
15 department to locate and notify the absent person,. The the court may permit the
16 hearing to be held in the person's absence.
17 * * *
18 Art. 631. Authority to file petition; custody
19 * * *
20 B. At any time prior to adjudication, any person, including a relative of the
21 child, may petition the court for the provisional or permanent legal custody of the
22 child.
23 * * *
24 Art. 646. Answer; appearance; objection
25 A. The court shall require the parent to appear and to answer the petition at
26 any time prior to the adjudication hearing but no later than fifteen days after the
27 filing of the petition. If a parent is absent, the court shall make written findings of
28 fact or include in the minutes whether notice of the date, time, and place of the
29 hearing and the right to attend and be heard was properly served.
30 * * *
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1 C. At the appearance, the court may either convene immediately a prehearing
2 conference authorized by Article 646.1, or set a date for the conference.
3 * * *
4 F. If a child is absent, the court shall make written findings of fact or include
5 in the minutes whether the attorney for a child who is twelve years of age or older
6 moved to waive the presence of the child or whether the attorney for the child or the
7 court requested the presence of a child who is under the age of twelve years. If
8 presence was not waived or the child is not present after a request, the custodian or
9 the department shall provide reasons for the absence of the child, and the court shall
10 determine on the record whether the hearing may proceed.
11 * * *
12 Art. 658.1. Motion for intervention
13 A. At any stage of a proceeding, upon written motion to intervene and after
14 a contradictory hearing, the court may allow a relative or other suitable individual
15 to intervene on behalf of himself or a party if good cause is shown that intervention
16 is in the best interest of the child and, after adjudication, will facilitate permanency
17 for the child. The court may deny the motion to intervene or set a contradictory
18 hearing with notice to all parties.
19 B.(1) An intervenor is entitled to notice of any hearing and to present
20 evidence relevant to the best interest of the child.
21 (2) Unless good cause is shown, an intervenor shall not participate in or
22 present evidence at an adjudication hearing except when called as a witness by a
23 party. An intervenor shall not inspect or copy any record of the case before an in
24 camera inspection by the court and an opportunity to be heard by the parties.
25 C. The court may exclude an intervenor from any part of a hearing as
26 necessary to protect the privacy interests of the parent or child.
27 D. After a hearing, the court shall dismiss an intervention upon a
28 determination that the intervention is no longer in the best interest of the child.
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1 E. This Article shall not be construed to require intervention for a relative
2 or other suitable individual to be awarded custody of the child, visitation with the
3 child, or another remedy.
4 * * *
5 Art. 672.3. Diligent search for relatives; notice; failure to respond
6 * * *
7 C. All relatives of the child identified in the diligent search required by this
8 Article, subject to exceptions due to family or domestic violence or other safety
9 concerns, shall be provided with a notice that does all of the following:
10 * * *
11 (3) Describes the process for becoming a licensed foster family home
12 caregiver and the additional services and supports support available for children
13 placed in approved foster homes in foster care.
14 * * *
15 Art. 679. Notice; presence at disposition
16 * * *
17 B. If a parent is absent, the court shall make written findings of fact or
18 include in the minutes whether notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing and
19 the right to attend and be heard was properly served. The court shall permit a
20 disposition hearing to be held in the absence of a parent if it is established on the
21 record that the parent was served but is not in attendance or that efforts to serve the
22 parent have been unsuccessful.
23 C. A child twelve years of age or older shall be present in court unless his
24 the child's presence is waived by the court upon motion of the child's counsel. A
25 child below the age of twelve years shall be present in court upon the request of
26 counsel for the child or the court. If a child is absent, the court shall make written
27 findings of fact or include in the minutes whether the attorney for the child moved
28 to waive the presence or whether presence was requested. If presence was not waived
29 or the child is not present after a request, the custodian or the department shall
30 provide reasons for the absence of the child, and the court shall determine on the
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1 record whether the hearing may proceed. If the A child is present in court, he may
2 choose to testify as to his wishes, and the court shall consider his the child's
3 testimony in the matter. Any testimony given by a child may be taken by a
4 videotaped interview or by closed-circuit television, as authorized by Chapter 8 of
5 Title III of this Code, or by an in-chambers conference attended only by the judge
6 and court reporter and by counsel for the child, for the petitioner, and for the parents.
7 D. The department shall give notice of the right to appear at the disposition
8 hearing to any foster parent caregiver, pre-adoptive parent, or relative providing care
9 for the child.
10 E. If a foster parent caregiver, pre-adoptive parent, or relative providing care
11 for the child fails to appear at the disposition hearing, the department shall report to
12 is absent, the court shall make written findings of fact or include in the minutes
13 whether notice was given, or, if not, what of the date, time, and place of the hearing
14 and the right to attend and be heard was properly provided by the department. If the
15 court determines that diligent efforts were made by the department to locate and
16 notify the absent person,. The the court may permit the hearing to be held in the
17 person's absence.
18 F. The court shall solicit and consider information regarding the care and
19 treatment of the child from any foster parent caregiver, pre-adoptive parent, or
20 relative providing care for the child who appears for the hearing.
21 * * *
22 Art. 690. Case review report purpose; contents
23 * * *
24 B. The case review report shall address the following:
25 * * *
26 (3) The extent of progress which that has been made toward alleviating or
27 mitigating the causes necessitating placement in foster care.
28 * * *
29 Art. 694. Notice; absent parents
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1 A. If a parent is absent, the court shall make written findings of fact or
2 include in the minutes whether notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing and
3 the right to attend and be heard was properly served. The court shall permit a case
4 review hearing to be held in the absence of a parent if it is established on the record
5 that the parent was served but is not in attendance or that efforts to serve the parent
6 have been unsuccessful.
7 * * *
8 Art. 695. Notice; foster parents caregiver, pre-adoptive parents, relatives providing
9 care; right to be heard
10 A. The department shall give notice of the right to appear at each case review
11 hearing to any foster parent caregiver, pre-adoptive parent, or relative providing care
12 for the child.
13 * * *
14 C. If a foster parent caregiver, pre-adoptive parent, or relative providing care
15 for the child fails to appear at a case review hearing, the department shall report to
16 is absent, the court shall make written findings of fact or include in the minutes
17 whether notice was given or, if not, what of the date, time, and place of the hearing
18 and the right to attend and be heard was properly provided by the department. If the
19 court determines that diligent efforts were made by the department to locate and
20 notify the absent person,. The the court may permit the hearing to be held in the
21 person's absence.
22 D. The court shall solicit and consider information regarding the care and
23 treatment of the child from any foster parent caregiver, pre-adoptive parent, or
24 relative providing care for the child who appears for the hearing.
25 Art. 696. Rights of parties
26 * * *
27 B. A child twelve years of age or older shall be present in court unless his
28 the child's presence is waived by the court upon motion of the child's counsel. A
29 child below the age of twelve years shall be present in court upon the request of
30 counsel for the child or the court. If a child is absent, the court shall make written
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1 findings of fact or include in the minutes whether the attorney for the child moved
2 to waive the presence or whether presence was requested. If presence was not
3 waived or the child is not present after a request, the custodian or the department
4 shall provide reasons for the absence of the child, and the court shall determine on
5 the record whether the hearing may proceed. If the A child is present in court, he
6 may choose to testify as to his wishes, and the court shall consider his the child's
7 testimony in the matter. Any testimony given by a child may be taken by a
8 videotaped interview or by closed-circuit television, as authorized by Chapter 8 of
9 Title III of this Code, or by an in-chambers conference attended only by the judge
10 and court reporter and by counsel for the child, for the petitioner, and for the parents.
11 * * *
12 Art. 702. Permanency hearing
13 * * *
14 D.
15 * * *
16 (2)
17 * * *
18 (c) For the purposes of Subsubparagraph (a) of this Subparagraph, a foster
19 parent caregiver, relative, or other suitable individual with whom a child under the
20 age of six has resided continuously for nine months or more is a person who has a
21 significant relationship with the child. Nothing in this Subparagraph shall be
22 construed to interfere with any rights afforded to biological parents.
23 * * *
24 Art. 704. Notice; absent parents
25 A. If a parent is absent, the court shall make written findings of fact or
26 include in the minutes whether notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing and
27 the right to attend and be heard was properly served. The court shall permit a
28 permanency hearing to be held in the absence of a parent if it is established on the
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1 record that the parent was served but is not in attendance or that efforts to serve the
2 parent have been unsuccessful.
3 * * *
4 Art. 705. Notice; right to be heard
5 A. The department shall give notice of the right to appear at each
6 permanency hearing to any foster parent caregiver, pre-adoptive parent, or relative
7 providing care for the child.
8 * * *
9 C. If a foster parent caregiver, pre-adoptive parent, or relative providing care
10 for the child fails to appear at a permanency hearing, the department shall report to
11 is absent, the court shall make written findings of fact or include in the minutes
12 whether notice was given or, if not, what of the date, time, and place of the hearing
13 and the right to attend and be heard was properly provided by the department. If the
14 court determines that diligent efforts were made by the department to locate and
15 notify the absent person,. The the court may permit the hearing to be held in the
16 person's absence.
17 D. The court shall solicit and consider information regarding the care and
18 treatment of the child from any foster parent caregiver, pre-adoptive parent, or
19 relative providing care for the child who appears for the hearing.
20 Art. 706. Rights of parties
21 * * *
22 B. A child twelve years of age or older shall be present in court unless his
23 the child's presence is waived by the court upon motion of the child's counsel. A
24 child below the age of twelve years shall be present in court upon the request of
25 counsel for the child or the court. If a child is absent, the court shall make written
26 findings of fact or include in the minutes whether the attorney for the child moved
27 to waive the presence or whether presence was requested. If presence was not
28 waived or the child is not present after a request, the custodian or the department
29 shall provide reasons for the absence of the child, and the court shall determine on
30 the record whether the hearing may proceed. If the A child is present in court, he
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1 may choose to testify as to his wishes, and the court shall consider his the child's
2 testimony in the matter. Any testimony given by a child may be taken by a
3 videotaped interview or by closed-circuit television, as authorized by Chapter 8 of
4 Title III of this Code, or by an in-chambers conference attended only by the judge
5 and court reporter and by counsel for the child, for the petitioner, and for the parents.
6 * * *
7 Art. 740. Advice of rights
8 A. At the continued custody hearing or at the first hearing at which the child
9 appears, whichever occurs first, the court judge shall advise the parents and the child,
10 in a developmentally appropriate manner and in terms understandable by to the child
11 and the parents, of all of the following:
12 (1) The child, parents, and any other persons subject to the jurisdiction of the
13 court in accordance with Article 729 are parties to the proceeding.
14 (2) The nature of the proceedings as provided in Article 792.
15 (3) The consequences of formal proceedings including all of the following:
16 (a) The possibility of juvenile detention if the child is held in contempt in
17 accordance with Article 791.
18 (b) The possibility of a fine or imprisonment if an adult is held in contempt
19 in accordance with Article 1509.
20 (c) The possibility of removal of the child from his home in accordance with
21 Article 779.
22 (2)(4) The nature of the allegations.
23 (3)(5) The informal family services plan procedure.
24 (4) The right to an adjudication hearing.
25 (5) The right to retain and be represented by an attorney.
26 (6) The nature of Families in Need of Services proceedings as set forth in
27 Article 792 and the confidentiality of Families in Need of Services records as set
28 forth provided in Article 793.
29 (7) The right to have notice of and attend all hearings.
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1 (8) The right to be free from discrimination based on race, religion,
2 disability, national origin, and sex.
3 (9) The right to be provided qualified interpretation, translation, and
4 language assistance services.
5 (10) The right to be provided reasonable accommodations for any disability.
6 (11) The right of the child to an adjudication hearing.
7 (12) The right of the child to have regular and meaningful communication
8 with the child's attorney in a way that is understandable to the child.
9 (13) The right of the child to have the child's attorney present the child's
10 case, including presenting the child's wishes.
11 (14) The right of the child to testify as to the child's wishes.
12 (15) The right of the parent to retain and be represented by an independent
13 and qualified attorney who shall have duties of loyalty, confidentiality, advocacy,
14 and competent representation.
15 B. If a petition seeking a formal adjudication is filed, the court shall appoint
16 independent legal counsel for the child, or refer the child for representation by the
17 district public defender. Neither the child nor anyone purporting to act on his behalf
18 of the child may be permitted to waive this right. If the court finds that the parents
19 of the child are financially able, it may order the parents to pay some or all of the
20 costs of the child's representation.
21 C. If a petition seeking a formal adjudication is filed, the court shall also
22 advise the child and parent of his the privilege against self-incrimination.
23 D. Written notice of the rights provided in Paragraph A of this Article shall
24 be given to the child and the parents and, if present at the hearing, foster caregivers,
25 pre-adoptive parents, and any relatives providing care to the child.
26 * * *
27 Art. 1003. Definitions
28 As used in this Title:
29 * * *
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1 (15) "Foster care" means that the child is in the custody of the department
2 and the department is providing temporary services including care by a foster
3 caregiver, a relative, a residential child caring facility, or other living arrangement
4 approved and supervised by the state.
5 Art. 1004. Petition for termination of parental rights; authorization to file
6 * * *
7 G. Foster parents A foster caregiver who intend intends to adopt the child
8 may petition for the termination of parental rights of the foster child's parents when,
9 in accordance with Article 702(D), adoption is the permanent plan for the child, the
10 child has been in state custody under the foster parent's caregiver's care for seventeen
11 of the last twenty-two months, and the department has failed to petition for such
12 termination.
13 * * *
14 Art. 1112. Inability due to court intervention
15 * * *
16 B. Upon notice to the department and after a contradictory hearing, if
17 requested by the department, a parent may, with approval of the court, execute a
18 private surrender of a child in the legal custody of the department to the foster parent
19 with whom the child was placed by the department caregiver.
20 * * *
21 Art. 1269.1. Continuing contact agreements; voluntary
22 Agreements for continuing contact by certain biological relatives or foster
23 parents caregivers with an adopted child after an adoption do not violate any public
24 policy of this state, provided that the adopting parents and biological relative or
25 foster parent caregiver voluntarily execute the agreement in conformity with the
26 requirements of this Chapter.
27 Art. 1269.2. Continuing post-adoption contact; foster child adoptions adoption of
28 child in foster care
29 * * *
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1 B. If there is no parental relationship that meets the requirements of
2 Paragraph A of this Article, the court may approve an agreement, executed in
3 conformity with the requirements of this Chapter, that provides for continuing
4 contact between the child to be adopted and any other relative or foster parent
5 caregiver whose relationship with the child meets those requirements.
6 C. When adoption is approved by the court as the permanent plan for the
7 child, the department shall inform any parent, grandparent, sibling, or any other
8 relative, or foster parent caregiver who meets the requirements of Paragraph A or B
9 of this Article of the possibility of post-adoption contact with the child upon
10 agreement with the adoptive parents in accordance with the provisions of this
11 Chapter.
12 * * *
13 Art. 1269.7. Agreements confected after final decree
14 The adoptive parent and any relative or foster parent caregiver who may be
15 permitted continuing contact by in accordance with Article 1269.2(B) may enter into
16 an agreement regarding communication or contact after entry of a final decree of
17 adoption. Any such The agreement shall be enforceable only if filed with the court
18 and approved in accordance with this Chapter.
19 * * *
20 Art. 1279.6. Educational opportunities and assistance
21 A.(1) A child who is in foster care pursuant to placement through the
22 department shall be allowed to remain enrolled in the public school in which the
23 child was enrolled at the time he the child entered foster care for the duration of the
24 child's stay in the custody of the state or until he the child completes the highest
25 grade offered at the school, if the department determines that remaining in such that
26 school is in the best interest of the child. Transportation of the child shall be
27 provided pursuant to R.S. 17:238(C).
28 * * *
29 B. When a child is in the custody of the department and is placed with a
30 foster parents caregiver who have has other children living in the home who already
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1 attend a nonpublic or parochial school, the foster child may attend the same
2 nonpublic or parochial school if the department finds that it is in the best interest of
3 the child, and if the child meets the admission requirements of the nonpublic or
4 parochial school. The department shall not be directly responsible for paying for the
5 expenses associated with such education.
6 C. When a child is in the custody of the department and is placed with a
7 foster parents caregiver who have has other children in the home who are
8 participants in an approved home study program, pursuant to R.S. 17:236.1, the
9 department may approve the placement of the foster child in an approved home study
10 program if the department finds that it is in the best interest of the child. Home study
11 programs approved by the Department of Education to educate foster children in
12 foster care shall offer a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered
13 by public schools at the same grade level, pursuant to R.S. 17:236.1(C)(1).
14 Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Department of
15 Education shall provide the department, upon request, verification that a home study
16 program in which a foster child in foster care is participating has been approved
17 pursuant to R.S. 17:236. The foster parent caregiver shall provide the department
18 appropriate documentation, including but not limited to copies of standardized tests,
19 to substantiate that the child is progressing on grade level and at a rate equal to one
20 grade level for each year in the program.
21 * * *
22 Art. 1404. Definitions
23 As used in this Title:
24 (1) "Caretaker" means any person legally obligated to provide or secure
25 adequate care for a child, including a parent, tutor, guardian, legal custodian, foster
26 home parent caregiver, or other person providing a residence for the child.
27 * * *
28 Art. 1427. Authority to transport and detain
29 * * *
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1 C.(1) In addition to other persons authorized by this Article to transport to
2 a treatment facility a child in whose name an emergency certificate has been issued,
3 any of the following persons may also accompany the child during such
4 transportation:
5 (a) A parent, including a foster parent caregiver, subject to the conditions of
6 Subparagraph (2) of this Paragraph.
7 * * *
8 Section 2. Children's Code Articles 650, 697, and 707 are hereby repealed in their
9 entirety.
10 Section 3. The Louisiana State Law Institute is hereby authorized and directed to
11 alphabetize and renumber the definitions contained in Children's Code Articles 603 and 1003
12 and to correct any cross-references to the renumbered paragraphs, if necessary, consistent
13 with the provisions of this Act.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
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