PART V-B. BACK ON TRACK YOUTH PILOT PROGRAM

§951. Back on Track Youth Pilot Program

            A. The Back on Track Youth Pilot Program is hereby established with the express purpose of giving youths an option other than some form of criminal activity.

            B. Within this program, youths shall be able to participate in programs that include but are not limited to the following curriculum:

            (1) Occupational or vocational training.

            (2) Life skills.

            (3) Healthy choices.

            (4) Literacy instruction.

            C.(1) This program shall be administered by selected nonprofit groups as well as the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of juvenile justice, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Education, and Louisiana Works.

            (2) The Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of juvenile justice, is hereby named as the intermediary of the program with the authority to manage or administer funds and address any changes in program funding as needed.

            D. Eligibility shall be established based on a variety of criteria including but not limited to any of the following:

            (1) The income of the youth's family.

            (2) Whether the youth is considered at risk with behavior that indicates aggression or disruption, disciplinary problems, or delinquency.

            (3) Demographic locations in the state.

            E. For the purposes of this Section, "youth or youths" means a person who has attained at least fourteen years of age and not more than twenty-four years of age.

            Acts 2024, No. 435, §1; Acts 2025, No. 209, §1; Acts 2026, No. 619, §2; Acts 2026, No. 714, §1.