summary
Introduced
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
In Committee
03/09/2026
03/09/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend and reenact Children's Code Articles 603(4)(a), (14), (15), (17)(l), and (20), 616(F), 622(B)(4), 623(A), (D), and (E), 624(B) and (C), 631(B), 646(A) and (C), 672.3(C)(3), 679(B) through (F), 690(B)(3), 694(A), 695(A), (C), and (D), 696(B), 702(D)(2)(c), 704(A), 705(A), (C), and (D), 706(B), 740, 1004(G), 1112(B), 1269.1, 1269.2(B) and (C), 1269.7, 1279.6(A)(1), (B), and (C), 1404(1), and 1427(C)(1)(introductory paragraph) and (a), to enact Children's Code Articles 603(33), 646(F), 658.1, and 1003(15), and to repeal Children's Code Articles 650, 697, and 707, relative to the continuous revision of the Children's Code; to provide for definitions; to provide for a change in terminology; to provide with respect to absent parents, children, foster caregivers, pre-adoptive parents, and relatives providing care to a child; to require written findings of facts; to provide for intervention; to require notice to intervenors; to provide for the exclusion of intervenors; to provide for advising children and parents of their rights; and to provide for related matters.
AI Summary
This bill makes several changes to the Children's Code, primarily to update terminology and clarify procedures related to child welfare cases. Key provisions include changing the term "foster parent" to "foster caregiver" throughout the code, and redefining "foster care" to encompass a child's placement in the custody of the department with temporary services, including care by a foster caregiver, relative, or approved residential facility. The bill also introduces a new article (658.1) that allows relatives or other suitable individuals to formally "intervene" in court proceedings to advocate for the child's best interest, potentially seeking custody, visitation, or other remedies, and outlines the rights and limitations of these intervenors. Furthermore, the bill enhances requirements for written findings of fact by the court regarding absent parents and absent children, and clarifies the process for notifying and considering input from foster caregivers, pre-adoptive parents, and relatives providing care. It also updates the advice of rights given to children and parents in court proceedings to be more comprehensive and understandable, and makes technical amendments to various articles concerning notice, hearings, and the rights of parties involved in child welfare cases. Finally, the bill repeals three existing articles (650, 697, and 707) and directs the Louisiana State Law Institute to renumber and alphabetize definitions for consistency.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare. (on 03/09/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26rs&b=HB224&sbi=y |
| BillText | https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1440145 |
| Analysis - Digest of HB224 Original | https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1440146 |
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