SB432

Louisiana SB432 amends child welfare definitions and procedures for report investigations.

Louisiana SB432 amends the Children's Code to redefine "neglect" and establish procedures for the Department of Children and Family Services to assess reports of child abuse or neglect. The bill specifies that neglect includes prenatal neglect and the failure to provide necessary care, but excludes cases where parents use recognized religious healing methods. It mandates the department to assign a risk level to a child based on report information without determining if abuse or neglect has occurred. The changes take effect August 1, 2026.