CORRECTIONS: Creates a task force to study the work release programs administered by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections

HLS 26RS-4137 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 91
BY REPRESENTATIVE CHANCE HENRY
CORRECTIONS: Creates a task force to study the work release programs administered by
the Department of Public Safety and Corrections
1 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
2 To create the Task Force on Work Release Programs to study the current administration,
3 efficacy, and statutory framework of work release programs administered by the
4 Department of Public Safety and Corrections and to provide for a written report of
5 its findings and recommendations to the legislature.
6 WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana recognizes that the transition from
7 incarceration to the community is a critical phase in reducing recidivism and ensuring public
8 safety; and
9 WHEREAS, Title 15 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 provides the legal
10 framework for the rehabilitation of offenders, including specific provisions for work release
11 programs; and
12 WHEREAS, R.S. 15:711 authorizes the establishment of work release programs for
13 certain inmates in parish prisons or jails, while R.S. 15:1111 governs the work release
14 program for inmates in state correctional facilities; and
15 WHEREAS, multiple legislative instruments have been proposed during the 2026
16 Regular Session to repeal defunct or underutilized programs within the Department of Public
17 Safety and Corrections, indicating a legislative intent to modernize and streamline the state's
18 work release programming; and
19 WHEREAS, evidence-based research suggests that well-administered work release
20 programs are beneficial to the offender by providing professional skills, fostering personal
21 accountability, and allowing for the accumulation of savings prior to release; and
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HLS 26RS-4137 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 91
1 WHEREAS, such programs benefit society as a whole by increasing the likelihood
2 of successful reentry, reducing the long-term costs associated with recidivism, and
3 addressing labor needs within Louisiana's economy; and
4 WHEREAS, it is a matter of significant public interest to ensure that these programs
5 are operating with maximum efficiency, transparency, and safety for both the participants
6 and the public; and
7 WHEREAS, a comprehensive study of the existing programs is necessary to
8 determine if current statutes reflect the best practices for modern correctional administration
9 and to identify any further legislative changes that may be needed in the future.
10 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
11 create the Task Force on Work Release Programs to study the current administration,
12 efficacy, and statutory framework of work release programs administered by the Department
13 of Public Safety and Corrections and to provide for a written report of its findings and
14 recommendations to the legislature no later than February 1, 2027.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed of the
16 following members:
17 (1) The chairwoman of the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice
18 or her designee.
19 (2) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary C or his designee.
20 (3) One member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, appointed by the
21 speaker.
22 (4) One member of the Louisiana Senate, appointed by the president.
23 (5) One member of the governor's office, appointed by the governor.
24 (6) The secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections or his
25 designee.
26 (7) The secretary of Louisiana Works or her designee.
27 (8) The executive director of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association or his designee.
28 (9) The executive director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association or his
29 designee.
30 (10) The president of the Louisiana District Judges Association or her designee.
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HLS 26RS-4137 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 91
1 (11) The director of the Drug and Specialty Court Office within the Louisiana
2 Supreme Court or his designee.
3 (12) The state director of Right on Crime or his designee.
4 (13) The executive director of the Louisiana Parole Project or his designee.
5 (14) The president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry or his
6 designee.
7 (15) A representative from the Center for Employment Opportunities New Orleans.
8 (16) A representative from the Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chairman and vice chairman of the task force
10 shall be elected by a majority of the task force members at its first meeting, which shall be
11 called no later than September 1, 2026, and the members may select other officers as the task
12 force deems appropriate.
13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall meet at such times and
14 places as determined by its chair.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the task force constitutes a quorum
16 for the transaction of business. All official actions of the task force require the affirmative
17 vote of a majority of the members.
18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve
19 without compensation, except per diem or expenses reimbursement to which they may be
20 individually entitled as members of their constituent organizations.
21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Rules of Order of the House of
22 Representatives or applicable Joint Rules apply to all meetings of the task force.
23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that meetings of the task force are subject to the
24 Open Meetings Law, R.S. 42:11 et seq., and records of the task force are subject to the
25 Public Records Law, R.S. 44:1 et seq.
26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall terminate following the
27 conclusion of its business or February 1, 2027, whichever occurs first.
28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana House of Representatives shall
29 provide staff support for the task force.
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HLS 26RS-4137 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 91
1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall submit a written report of
2 its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than February 1, 2027.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to each
4 of the task force members provided in this Resolution.
5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall submit one print copy and
6 one electronic copy of any report produced pursuant to this Resolution to the David R.
7 Poynter Legislative Research Library as required by R.S. 24:772.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 91 Original 2026 Regular Session Chance Henry
Creates a task force to study and make recommendations relative to the current
administration, efficacy, and statutory framework of work release programs administered
by the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) and to report its findings to the
legislature no later than Feb. 1, 2027.
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