LAC 67:I.201. Introduction and Purpose

A. The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has a fervent commitment to protect children by preventing the employment by the department of an individual who has specific past criminal convictions, in positions whose duties include the investigation of child abuse or neglect, supervisory or disciplinary authority over children, direct care of a child, or performance of licensing surveys and/or has been determined to be a perpetrator of abuse or neglect of a child and listed on the state central registry. B. In order to enhance the state’s ability to protect children, the Louisiana Legislature enacted laws which provide for state and federal criminal background checks and a state central registry check for certain DCFS employees and potential employees. C. The department will utilize the state central registry of justified (valid) reports of abuse or neglect for clearances of certain current and potential department employees, and will prohibit these individuals from being employed or considered for employment in those positions whose duties include the investigation of child abuse or neglect, supervisory or disciplinary authority over children, direct care of a child, or performance of licensing surveys when their name is recorded on the state central registry subsequent to January 1, 2010 and when their administrative appeal rights have been exhausted.