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House approves reorganization to create "Louisiana Works," shifting workforce and cash-assistance functions out of DCFS
Summary
Lawmakers passed a package to move workforce and temporary assistance functions from the Department of Children and Family Services into a new agency called Louisiana Works, transfer SNAP and disability work to the Department of Health, and refocus DCFS on child welfare; the House approved the bill 98-0.
Lede The Louisiana House on May 20 approved a major reorganization of state safety‑net programs that will create a new agency, "Louisiana Works," move workforce and cash‑assistance programs out of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and realign SNAP and disability determinations under the Department of Health.
Nut graf Representative Rob Barrault’s reorganization bill (House Bill 6 24) passed the House unanimously, 98‑0, after sponsor testimony and a technical amendment. Supporters said the change will streamline services, centralize job training and benefits eligibility, and free DCFS to concentrate on child welfare. Barrault and other speakers said the move grew from a task force and legislative-auditor findings showing fragmented service delivery.
Body Representative Rob Barrault told members the legislation is intended to “build a bridge to help more of our citizens go from poverty to prosperity and independence.” He said workforce services and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs currently housed in DCFS will move to the Louisiana Workforce Commission under the new Louisiana Works structure. SNAP and disability determinations would move to the Department of Health (LDH), aligning eligibility systems, Barrault said.
The bill directs creation of integrated case management so residents seeking benefits or workforce services will be able to access help through a single intake whether in‑person or digitally, Barrault said, and emphasizes service coordination with employers to move clients into higher‑wage jobs.
Barrault told the chamber the plan followed a governor‑appointed task force and the legislative auditor’s 2023 recommendations that noted gaps in the existing system. “This will be a phased approach,” he said, and the language adopted on the floor clarified that fraud detection for SNAP would remain with LDH in the transition.
Representative Jason Carver, sponsor of the companion bill (House Bill 6 17), said the companion measure rearranges DCFS internally — creating distinct offices for child support and child welfare — so the department can focus solely on child protection work after other programs move.
Members asked for a list of programs and services affected; Barrault said staff would provide a detailed inventory so legislators and local partners could track which services move and when. The House adopted a largely technical amendment and several members noted the agency directors and stakeholders supported the plan.
Ending The House passed the reorganization bill 98‑0; sponsors said the next steps include detailed implementation planning, rule‑making and budget work to staff the new Louisiana Works agency and make the transfers. Representatives noted the bill is phased and implementation will require coordination with the governor’s office, LDH and the workforce commission.
