§186.5. Safe Return Representation Program Fund
A. "The Louisiana Safe Return Representation Program Fund", hereafter referred to
as "the fund", is hereby created within the state treasury. Interest earned on the investment
of monies in the fund shall be deposited into the fund. Unexpended and unencumbered
monies in the fund at the close of each fiscal year shall remain in the fund. Monies in the
fund shall be appropriated, administered, and used solely as provided in this Section.
B. The fund shall be comprised of all monies appropriated by the legislature
specifically for the program or other monies made available to the program. All monies
required to be deposited in the state treasury in accordance with Article VII, Section 9(A),
of the Louisiana Constitution shall be deposited in the fund after first meeting the
requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B), of the Louisiana Constitution.
C. The fund shall be segregated from all other funds and shall be used solely to
provide for the implementation and operation of the Safe Return Representation Program.
Monies appropriated to the fund shall also be used to supplement the judicial district indigent
defender funds as provided in R.S. 15:168 and shall not be used to displace, replace, or
supplant monies available for this program or the purpose of providing legal representation
to children in the custody of the office of juvenile justice.
D. Monies in the fund which have been appropriated to the office shall be
administered by the office.
E. The office shall not commingle the monies appropriated from the fund with any
other monies of the office.
Acts 2016, No. 617, §2; Acts 2024, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 22, §1, eff. March 20, 2024.