HR 391

ENROLLED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 391
BY REPRESENTATIVE MARTINEZ
  A RESOLUTION
To create and provide for a task force to study the effectiveness, operations, counseling and
       treatment services, funding, mental health evaluations, and outcomes associated with
       the 18th Judicial District Court Drug Court Program and behavioral health services
       provided to incarcerated individuals within the 18th Judicial District.
       WHEREAS, substance abuse, addiction, and untreated mental illness continue to
impact families, public safety, workforce participation, and the criminal justice system
throughout this state; and
       WHEREAS, specialty courts, including drug courts, have been recognized as
alternatives to incarceration that may reduce recidivism and improve long-term recovery
outcomes; and
       WHEREAS, counseling services, behavioral health treatment, accountability
measures, and recovery support are critical components of successful specialty court
programs; and
       WHEREAS, incarcerated individuals suffering from mental illness often require
timely evaluations, treatment coordination, counseling, medication management, and
continuity of care; and
       WHEREAS, the 18th Judicial District Court Drug Court Program serves participants
from Iberville, Pointe Coupee, and West Baton Rouge Parishes and plays an important role
in rehabilitation and accountability efforts; and
       WHEREAS, the legislature has an interest in understanding the effectiveness,
financial impact, counseling practices, mental health services, and long-term outcomes
associated with specialty court programs and correctional behavioral health services
operating within this state; and
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HR NO. 391  ENROLLED
        WHEREAS, a comprehensive review of the 18th Judicial District Court Drug Court
Program and behavioral health services may assist policymakers in identifying barriers to
treatment access, funding needs, counseling effectiveness, and opportunities for program
improvement or expansion.
        THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby create the 18th Judicial District Drug Court and
Behavioral Health Services Task Force to study the operations, effectiveness, counseling
services, treatment implementation, mental health evaluations, and continuity of care
associated with the 18th Judicial District Court Drug Court Program and behavioral health
services provided to incarcerated individuals within the 18th Judicial District.
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall consist of the following
members:
        (1) One representative from the 18th Judicial District Court or his designee.
        (2) One representative from the Louisiana Supreme Court Drug and Specialty Court
Office or his designee.
        (3) One representative from the Louisiana Department of Health or his designee.
        (4) One representative from the Department of Public Safety and Corrections or his
designee.
        (5) One licensed mental health professional or behavioral health provider serving
the district or his designee.
        (6) One licensed substance abuse counselor serving the district or his designee.
        (7) One representative from a local correctional facility within the district or his
designee.
        (8) One representative from workforce development or reentry services or his
designee.
        (9) One member appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives or his
designee.
        (10) One member appointed by the president of the Senate or his designee.
        (11) The state representative who represents House District No. 60.
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        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the representative from the Louisiana Supreme
Court Drug and Specialty Court Office shall serve as the chairman of the task force.
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall examine and provide
findings regarding the following:
        (1) Recidivism rates and participant outcomes.
        (2) Graduation and completion rates of the drug court program.
        (3) Counseling and behavioral health treatment services utilized by the program.
        (4) The implementation, oversight, and effectiveness of counseling services and
recovery programming.
        (5) The availability and timeliness of mental health evaluations for incarcerated
individuals requiring behavioral health services.
        (6) Coordination between correctional facilities, behavioral health providers, and
treatment programs.
        (7) Medication continuity and follow-up treatment services after release or program
completion.
        (8) Treatment availability and barriers to access.
        (9) Employment and workforce reintegration outcomes.
        (10) Cost comparisons between incarceration and specialty court participation.
        (11) Funding sources and sustainability of the program and related behavioral health
services.
        (12) Recommendations for improving counseling, treatment, mental health services,
and recovery outcomes while reducing repeat offenses.
        (13) Opportunities for program expansion or additional legislative support.
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall convene for its first meeting
no later than sixty days after the effective date of this Resolution, at the call of the chairman.
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the task force constitutes a quorum
for the transaction of business. All official actions of the task force require the affirmative
vote of a majority of the members.
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Health shall
provide staff support to the task force.
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       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall submit a written report of
its findings and recommendations to the House Committee on Administration of Criminal
Justice and the Senate Committee on Judiciary B no later than February 1, 2027. Any
recommendations or proposals shall be submitted by written report to the legislature and to
the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library as required by R.S. 24:771 and 772.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
entities named in this Resolution to serve or be represented on the task force.
  SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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