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LouisianaHB 5842026 Regular SessionHouse

CHILDREN/FOSTER CARE: Provides relative to children in foster care (EN +$11,125 EX See Note)

Sponsored By: Delisha Boyd (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Health and Welfare

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Safer placements and moves for foster kids

Louisiana foster children have a right to placement with an identified suitable family member or other suitable person. That person must meet the law’s definition and be able to provide safe, appropriate care. Children also have a right to safe, reliable transportation, including age-appropriate car restraints when state law requires them. These rights apply when the department finds them age-appropriate and in the child’s best interest. For moves between foster homes, local social services districts must provide durable, reusable luggage in new or like-new condition. Garbage bags cannot be used. The department and local districts must hold luggage donation drives every two years. Host families must ensure department-provided luggage stays with the child.

Younger foster children gain more rights

Louisiana’s renamed Foster Children’s Bill of Rights covers children from birth through age 18, instead of only ages 14–18. The Department of Children and Family Services must support these rights through its policies and practices. Rights apply only when the department finds them age-appropriate and in the child’s best interest. Children have rights to privacy and stable, supportive care free from abuse and neglect, in the least restrictive setting that meets their needs. They can join all case plan meetings and bring supportive adults they choose. They must receive their case plan at least every six months and whenever it changes. Rights include timely medical and mental health care, plus trauma-based counseling and therapy during foster care. Children can get contact information for their caseworker, attorney, and court-appointed special advocate, and attend related meetings. School rights include staying in their original school, tutoring, college admissions information, and computers or internet needed for assignments. Children can refuse religious activities, keep cultural, religious, and ethnic traditions, and receive protection from discrimination. They also have rights to transportation for regional Independent Living Skills Program services, events, and activities, and timely notice of regional advocacy and engagement services. Children have a right to their full monthly allowance under department policy and to express their needs, concerns, and wishes.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Delisha Boyd

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Adrian Fisher

    Democratic • House

  • Aimee Adatto Freeman

    Democratic • House

  • Barbara Reich Freiberg

    Republican • House

  • Gerald "Beau" Beaullieu IV

    Republican • House

  • Beth Anne Billings

    Republican • House

  • Daryl Andrew Deshotel

    Republican • House

  • Doyle Boudreaux

    Republican • House

  • Jason Brian DeWitt

    Republican • House

  • Josh Carlson

    Republican • House

  • Kellee Hennessy Dickerson

    Republican • House

  • Ken Brass

    Democratic • House

  • Marcus Anthony Bryant

    Democratic • House

  • Michael Robert Bayham Jr.

    Republican • House

  • R. Dewith Carrier

    Republican • House

  • Rhonda Gaye Butler

    Republican • House

  • Stephanie H. Berault

    Republican • House

  • Tehmi Jahi Chassion

    Democratic • House

  • Vincent E. Cox III

    Republican • House

  • Wilford Carter Sr.

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 243 • No: 0

House vote • 5/26/2026

Read by title, roll called, yeas 96, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.

Yes: 96 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/18/2026

Rules suspended. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 36 • No: 0

House vote • 3/30/2026

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 100, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 100 • No: 0

House vote • 3/24/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 655.

    6/2/2026House

  2. Effective date: 08/01/2026.

    6/2/2026House

  3. Sent to the Governor for executive approval.

    5/28/2026House

  4. Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/27/2026House

  5. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/27/2026Senate

  6. Read by title, roll called, yeas 96, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.

    5/26/2026House

  7. Scheduled for concurrence on 05/26/2026.

    5/25/2026House

  8. Received from the Senate with amendments.

    5/19/2026House

  9. Rules suspended. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    5/18/2026Senate

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

    5/11/2026Senate

  11. Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/7/2026Senate

  12. Reported with amendments.

    5/6/2026Senate

  13. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.

    4/1/2026Senate

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

    3/31/2026Senate

  15. Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 100, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

    3/30/2026House

  16. Scheduled for floor debate on 03/30/2026.

    3/26/2026House

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

    3/25/2026House

  18. Reported with amendments (11-0).

    3/24/2026House

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

    3/9/2026House

  20. First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/27/2026.

    2/27/2026House

  21. Prefiled.

    2/26/2026House

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

    2/26/2026House

Bill Text

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