LouisianaSB 2372026 Regular SessionSenate

CHILDREN: Provides relative to child welfare. (8/1/26) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

Sponsored By: Regina Barrow (Democratic)

Became Law

Health and Welfare

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

11 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Closer teamwork on child abuse investigations

The child-welfare department must create a statewide police liaison position filled by someone with prior law enforcement experience. The liaison helps with referrals and joint investigations; the law sets no salary or funding amount. Beginning August 1, 2026, every government entity on an investigative team must send a representative to every meeting. Child advocacy centers must send attendance records to the attorney general every six months. The attorney general must check compliance and notify agencies that do not comply.

Faster action on school abuse reports

Beginning August 1, 2026, police must start school-related abuse investigations within 48 hours of receiving a report. This covers public, private, and charter school buildings, grounds, vehicles, and sponsored activities; police must interview each involved child's parent or guardian. Sexual-abuse cases involving an accused child must go to the department for safety and well-being assessments of both children's families. Beginning January 1, 2027, such reports may receive immediate assessments through interviews with the victim's family and accused child to identify needs and community resources. If an assessment finds immediate, substantial risk of harm, the local child-protection unit must immediately conduct an intensive investigation.

Faster investigations when children face danger

Beginning August 1, 2026, the department must immediately assign a child's risk level using information from the reporter. High-risk reports require immediate investigation, while intermediate-risk reports require prompt investigation. Beginning January 1, 2027, local child-protection units must immediately conduct intensive investigations when assessments find immediate, substantial risk of harm. This replaces the prior requirement to promptly conduct or participate in an intensive investigation.

More oversight of children's welfare records

Louisiana's state child ombudsman gets remote, read-only access to child-service systems, within federal law, and relevant physical records on request. Confidentiality rules apply, and the ombudsman cannot publish protected information. Beginning August 1, 2026, the ombudsman can review abuse, neglect, and foster care case records. This review excludes complainant identities and foster-parent case records. Before hearings, the department may give authorized attorneys and special advocates the child's latest medical, psychological, counseling, and behavioral health reports.

New reviews of serious child harm

Beginning August 1, 2026, the department must report every child death suspected to involve abuse or neglect to local and state police, the district attorney, ombudsman, and coroner. A new review team examines every death or near fatality the department confirms resulted from abuse or neglect. A near fatality means a physician certifies that an act placed a child in serious or critical condition. The chair may select unsubstantiated cases; the team meets at least quarterly and recommends prevention and policy changes. Members must provide relevant organizational records within 30 days of review notice. Review records are confidential and generally shielded from subpoenas and court use; reporter identities must be withheld from the team. People and organizations sharing required confidential information in good faith are protected from liability.

Recorded interviews in child protection cases

Beginning January 1, 2027, every child-protection investigation interview must be recorded, not just when a parent requests it. The general cooperation duty no longer expressly lists parent-initiated independent investigations or psychological evaluations of a child. Other cooperation duties are not removed. The department's investigation responsibility follows Children's Code Article 610, replacing the prior list based on the accused person's relationship to a parent or caretaker.

Specialized interviews for children reporting abuse

Beginning August 1, 2026, suspected sexual or severe physical abuse reports require referral to a child advocacy center for a forensic interview. The receiving agency must notify the center within 72 hours; the center must notify the investigative team within 24 hours. In sexual-abuse cases, initial child interviews may only assess immediate safety, and the forensic interview must be scheduled immediately. The team must review cases involving forensic interviews before the department or law enforcement closes them. Centers must have special interview policies for children with disabilities or other accommodation needs.

Temporary protection for out-of-state children

Beginning January 1, 2027, the department must seek immediate court-ordered custody of children in another state's custody but located in Louisiana. This custody lasts until the child can return to the state with original jurisdiction. An oral court order may be used.

Childcare disclosure penalties lose specific authority

Beginning August 1, 2026, the child-welfare department loses a specific enforcement power over day-care centers and residential providers. It can no longer use that authority to fine providers or suspend or revoke licenses for an executive director's unauthorized disclosure. The repeal does not make unauthorized disclosures legal or remove other possible restrictions.

Child records shared with new limits

Beginning August 1, 2026, the department may share reporters' identities only with law enforcement agencies investigating their reports. It cannot provide certain requested information to parents or guardians accused of abuse, living with the accused, or in a relationship with them. Examining healthcare providers may request limited records in writing when they reasonably suspect abuse or neglect. Early learning center directors may use records only for confidential abuse-related employee investigations; the employee must be the records' subject. Public bodies may close sessions for testimony containing identifying information and explicit details of children's physical or sexual abuse.

New rules for child abuse reporters

Beginning August 1, 2026, court-appointed supervised visit monitors must report suspected child abuse or neglect. Mandatory reporters who report orally no longer need written follow-up within five days through the portal or mail. Agencies must explain possible follow-up contact; reporters can request anonymity, which this notice does not override. Department training must cover abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and human trafficking. The department may offer annual competency tests, and the appropriate state regulatory body must award continuing-education credit for completed training.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Regina Barrow
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Barbara Carpenter
Democratic • House
Beth Anne Billings
Republican • House
Beth Mizell
Republican • Senate
Chad Michael Boyer
Republican • House
Roy Daryl Adams
Democratic • House
Delisha Boyd
Democratic • House
Dennis Bamburg Jr.
Republican • House
Doyle Boudreaux
Republican • House
Edward J. Price
Democratic • Senate
Gary Carter
Democratic • Senate
Gerald Boudreaux
Democratic • Senate
Ken Brass
Democratic • House
Michael "Big Mike" Fesi
Republican • Senate
Reese "Skip" Broussard
Republican • House
Royce Duplessis
Democratic • Senate
Sam Jenkins
Democratic • Senate
Sidney Barthelemy II
Democratic • Senate
Stephanie H. Berault
Republican • House
William "Bill" Wheat Jr.
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 185 • No: 11

Senate vote • 6/1/2026

Read by title. The Senate approved consideration after 6:00 p.m. on the 82nd calendar day by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays.

Yes: 36 • No: 0

House vote • 6/1/2026

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 97, nays 2. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 97 • No: 2

House vote • 5/26/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 10 • No: 9

House vote • 5/25/2026