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Rep. Boyd advances bill to end practice of giving foster children trash bags for belongings
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Summary
HB 584, sponsored by Rep. Boyd, would require social service districts to provide appropriate luggage for foster children moving between homes; the committee adopted amendments and re-reported the bill with no objection after DCFS said it has been providing bags for about six months.
BATON ROUGE — The House Committee on Health and Welfare re-reported House Bill 584 on March 24 after adopting amendments that would eliminate the practice of giving foster children trash bags when they move from one placement to another.
Rep. Boyd, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the measure would require local social-service districts to ensure foster children leave placements with suitable containers — duffel bags, backpacks or similar luggage — and that donated bags follow the child when placements change. "This piece of legislation is to just add some dignity, leave those kids with some dignity moving from place to place," Boyd said.
Committee members broadly supported the bill. Several members suggested language to encourage local donation drives; Rep. Jackson proposed adding a provision encouraging the Department of Children and Family Services to hold an annual duffel-bag donation drive and the author agreed to work with staff on language.
Brett Hanneman of DCFS said the department began providing bags about six months ago and that the department can continue the practice using existing funds. Committee discussion touched on whether the bill required a fiscal referral; staff and members noted the fiscal note showed little or indeterminate impact.
Representative Fisher moved to report HB 584 with amendments. There were no objections and the chair announced the bill was re-reported with amendments. The adopted amendment assigns responsibility to host families and clarifies that donated luggage should follow the child.
