LA HB617

Creates two new offices within the Department of Children and Family Services: the office of child welfare and the office of child support, replacing the former office of children and family services

Office of child welfare assumes responsibility for child protective services, foster care, adoption services, human trafficking programs, domestic violence services contracts, and child abuse prevention programs

Office of child support assumes responsibility for administering child support programs under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, including establishing paternity, enforcing support obligations, and obtaining/modifying support orders

Updates statutory references throughout Louisiana law to reflect the new organizational structure, changing "office of children and family services" to the appropriate new office designation

Effective date contingent on passage of House Bill No. 624; most provisions take effect October 1, 2027, with organizational structure changes in R.S. 36:477(B)(1) effective October 1, 2025