CHILDREN'S CODE: Provides for duties of the Department of Children and Family Services relative to child abuse and child fatality reporting. (8/1/26)

SB 329 updates Louisiana's child abuse and neglect reporting system by requiring mandatory reporters (such as teachers, childcare staff, and healthcare providers) to immediately report suspected cases via a statewide hotline or online portal, with written follow-up within five days. The bill mandates schools to report alleged abuse to parents and law enforcement, requires physicians to test newborns for prenatal drug exposure without parental consent (reporting positive results), and establishes a dedicated DCFS liaison for child fatalities and near fatalities. It also adds requirements for film processors to report suspected child sexual abuse materials to law enforcement immediately and details specific reporting procedures for different settings. These changes aim to streamline reporting, improve response coordination, and enhance data management for child welfare cases.