CHAPTER 10-A. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND

FAMILY SERVICES

§471. Department of Children and Family Services; creation; domicile; composition; purpose and functions

            A. The Department of Children and Family Services is created and shall be a body corporate with the power to sue and be sued. The domicile of the department shall be in Baton Rouge where it shall maintain its principal offices, but the secretary may maintain branch offices if he deems it in the best interest of the efficient administration of the department.

NOTE: Subsection B eff. until Oct. 1, 2027. See Acts 2025, No. 477.

            B. The Department of Children and Family Services, through its office and officers, shall be responsible for the development and providing of social services and the improvement of social conditions for the citizens of Louisiana.

NOTE: Subsection B eff. Oct. 1, 2027. See Acts 2025, No. 477.

            B.(1) The department declares that every child deserves to be safe, stability is the foundation for success, and strong families create strong communities.

            (2) It is the mission of the department to protect children, empower families, and strengthen communities so every child grows up safe, stable, and strong. The department envisions a future where every child thrives in a safe, stable, and loving environment, supported by empowered families and resilient communities.

            (3) To accomplish the mission and vision set forth, the department declares the following:

            (a) It will take accountability and be committed to transparency, action, and results.

            (b) It will prioritize connections to bridge gaps between services, agencies, and in communities to bring the right people together for real solutions.

            (c) It will develop every employee by ensuring they have the tools and support required to reach their highest potential.

NOTE: Paragraph (C)(1) eff. until Oct. 1, 2027. See Acts 2025, No. 477.

            C.(1) The Department of Children and Family Services shall be composed of the office of children and family services, and such other offices as shall be created by law.

NOTE: Paragraph (C)(1) eff. Oct. 1, 2027. See Acts 2025, No. 477.

            C.(1) The Department of Children and Family Services shall be composed of the executive office of the secretary, office of management and finance, office of child welfare, office of child support, and such other offices as shall be created by law.

            (2) Whenever the secretary determines that the administration of the functions of the department may be more efficiently performed by eliminating, merging, or consolidating existing offices or establishing new offices, he shall present a plan therefor to the legislature for its approval by statute.

            Acts 1988, 1st. Ex. Sess., No. 1, §2, eff. Mar. 28, 1988; Acts 1988, No. 773, §2, eff. July 2, 1988; Acts 1990, No. 744, §1, eff. July 24, 1990; Acts 2010, No. 877, §1, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2010, No. 939, §4, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2025, No. 477, §11, eff. Oct. 1, 2027.

NOTE: See Acts 1988 1st E.s., No. 1, §§5-9.

NOTE: See Acts 1988, No. 858, §1.

NOTE: See Acts 1988, No. 772, §1.

NOTE: See Acts 1988, No. 773, §§1, 4.

NOTE: See Acts 1990, No. 601, §4.

NOTE: See Acts 1990, No. 744, §4.