§2603. Children's Cabinet; powers and duties

A. In order to carry out the purposes of this Chapter and the purposes for which it is created, the Children's Cabinet shall:

(1) Develop and implement a framework for decision making to assure that all services for children meet the goals and objectives of the cabinet.

(2) Monitor indicators of child well-being, as determined by the cabinet, and utilize these data for evaluation and planning.

(3) Adopt and implement provisions for a children's budget, as more specifically provided in R.S. 46:2604.

(4) Submit an annual report to the governor, the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, the House Committee on Health and Welfare, and any other legislative committee that requests a copy of the annual report, by January thirty-first summarizing the accomplishments of the past year, providing an evaluation of individual programs and the delivery of services, and indicating specific goals and budget priorities for the next fiscal year.

(5) Adopt and promulgate rules and regulations and formulate all necessary policies, procedures, and rules of administration and operation necessary to carry out the purposes of this Chapter, all subject to the Administrative Procedure Act. Legislative oversight of the cabinet, pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, shall be the responsibility of the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare and the House Committee on Health and Welfare.

(6) Do all the things reasonably necessary to accomplish the purposes for which the cabinet is created.

(7) Administer the Children's Trust Fund provided for in R.S. 46:2401 et seq.

B. In addition to the duties and responsibilities provided in Subsection A of this Section, in order to carry out its purposes and functions, the cabinet may:

(1) Request data and assistance from state departments or agencies of the state. When the cabinet requests a state department or agency to provide needed data or assistance, the department or agency shall give priority to such request and shall provide such data or assistance as requested. The cabinet shall maintain the confidentiality of any information or records provided to it, as required by laws relative to such records and information.

(2) Create and appoint such advisory committees or task forces to act in an advisory capacity to the cabinet to assist in its studies, composed of such representatives of the public and private sectors, as it shall deem appropriate.

(3) Enter into such contracts in accordance with applicable law that may be necessary and proper to carry out the provisions of this Chapter relating to the coordination of the delivery of services to children and families.

Acts 1992, No. 971, §2; Acts 1993, No. 424, §1, eff. June 9, 1993; Acts 1995, No. 945, §1; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 5, §§2, 3, eff. April 24, 1998; Acts 2003, No. 245, §1, eff. June 5, 2003; Acts 2003, No. 1225, §6; Acts 2008, No. 780, §§1, 2; Acts 2017, No. 237, §2; Acts 2018, No. 206, §5.