Bill to prioritize surplus state vehicles for extended foster-care youth advances after amendment withdrawn

Representative Carver told the House Appropriations Committee that House Bill 575 is intended to reduce transportation barriers that leave many youth who age out of foster care unable to keep jobs or access training.

"Without reliable transportation, it's difficult to keep a job," Representative Carver said, describing the program as a way to match surplus state vehicles with youth who need them.

Carver said the state serves about 250 youth annually in the extended foster care program and that roughly 40 of those young people are currently saving to purchase a vehicle. He offered a staff-drafted amendment that would have moved participants from first preference to second preference behind state agencies; that change drew immediate concern on the committee floor.

"So we're gonna choose ourselves over children. Is that what we're doing here?" the Chair asked when the amendment was read aloud. After discussion, Representative Carver withdrew the amendment and said he would continue talking with the Division of Administration and agency staff before the bill moves to the floor.

Rebecca Harris, secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services, told the panel the state has hundreds of surplus vehicles available each year through the Louisiana Property Assistance Agency and that the program could help a meaningful share of young people in extended foster care.

Representative Barrault moved the bill; by unanimous consent HB 5 75 was reported favorable.

Next steps: the bill proceeds to the House floor for consideration. The committee record does not show a roll-call tally; passage in committee was by voice/unanimous consent.