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Public commenters urge broader outreach and raise child‑safety concerns as task force finalizes report
Summary
Public commenters praised the task force work, urged broader outreach so fathers statewide know about services, and an advocate alleged two teenagers fear for their safety and said audio evidence exists; the task force affirmed outreach plans including a press conference and Dad's Day events.
During the public‑comment portion of the SCR 9 meeting, Dr. Will Hall, director of the Office of Public Policy with Louisiana Baptist, recommended short public‑service television and radio spots with approachable imagery to help the public understand the report and urged involving the governor and relevant health and welfare committees at the press conference. "Having the governor there and the speaker, the VA, the president... will go a long way to helping you then start keeping this thing to gain energy," Dr. Hall said.
Another public commenter, an advocate who did not state a formal name for the record, urged the task force to pay attention to individual cases and said two teenagers previously brought to the task force "do not believe they're safe today." The speaker described alleged audio of threats and other troubling evidence and said supporting materials had been emailed to task force members. The remarks were recorded as public comment and not adjudicated during the meeting. "They don't believe they're safe today," the commenter said, adding that journalists and attachments had the evidence.
Task force members responded to public comment by thanking speakers and reiterating outreach plans. Members noted the task force has contact lists from listening sessions to support follow‑up and suggested targeted local sessions and partnerships to make sure fathers across the state understand available resources. Sam Simon Jones said a save‑the‑date and registration link for Dad's Day at the Capitol would be prepared for review and the March 3 planning meeting would set next steps.
The meeting record shows no formal investigative action was taken in response to the allegations raised during public comment; members acknowledged receipt of emailed materials and closed the public‑comment period before returning to report edits and a final vote. The task force encouraged continued follow‑up and promised to circulate a final draft of the report for members to review before submission to the legislature.
