SCR 9 Louisiana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

CHILDREN: Creates a task force to study and report on strategies to increase engagement of fathers in the lives of their children.

SCR 9 is a concurrent resolution creating a Task Force on Fatherhood Engagement to study ways Louisiana can increase fathers' involvement in their children's lives. The task force, composed of state agency representatives and community organizations, will research best practices and develop recommendations for agencies like Children and Family Services, Education, and Health by February 2026. It focuses on identifying policy changes, funding opportunities, and programs to support fathers, particularly those in incarcerated populations or seeking employment. The resolution does not enact new laws but directs the task force to report findings to the legislature, aiming to improve father engagement across state systems.

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

House Passage

Jun 2025

Governor

Introduced Apr 22, 2025 Last action Jun 12, 2025

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What changed between versions

SCR9 Original → SCR9 Enrolled · 6 edits · Jun 12, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was expanded from a simple task force creation into a comprehensive resolution with a detailed list of 13 specific members, including new non-profit representatives and a policy institute. The scope of the task force's duties was significantly broadened to include specific research on workforce development, parenting skills, and conflict resolution, as well as the authority to propose changes to state laws and identify new funding sources.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a general study of fatherhood engagement to a targeted mandate requiring the task force to research specific program types (employment, parenting, conflict resolution) and propose statutory changes to improve father involvement.

REQUIREMENT

Added nine new specific members to the task force, including representatives from non-profits like 'Fathers Matter NOLA' and 'Geaux Far Louisiana,' and the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children.

Expanded the task force's duties to explicitly include researching workforce development programs, parenting skills, and conflict resolution training, in addition to general best practices.

Added authority for the task force to propose changes to statutes and regulations that currently hinder father involvement.

Added a mandate for the task force to identify additional funding sources, including non-governmental ones, to support responsible fatherhood programs.

TIMELINE

Retained the original deadlines for the first meeting (August 31, 2025) and final report (February 28, 2026) but added a new requirement to incorporate findings from other states' initiatives.

TECHNICAL

Added a provision allowing task force meetings to be conducted virtually using secure web-based platforms.

Floor votes · Senate May 8, 2025 · House Jun 10, 2025

How they voted

29–0

Passed · 8 other

Total votes 37

May 8, 2025

D Democratic11

6 Yea 5

54% Yea

R Republican26

23 Yea 3

88% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays.

upper

Jun 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read by title, concurred in by vote of 92 yeas, 0 nays.

lower

May 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (13-0).

lower

May 13, 2025

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.

lower

May 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

Read by title and adopted by a vote of 31 yeas and 0 nays. Ordered sent to the House.

upper

May 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably.

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Introduced

Introduced in the Senate. Read by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

upper

1 primary · 33 co-sponsors