NFIB State Director Leah Long says the state’s leading small business advocacy organization is urging the House & Governmental Affairs Committee to pass HB 264 and HB 617, two bills that would lay the foundation for a modern, efficient, and coordinated workforce system in Louisiana. The committee is scheduled to meet at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday (April 23).

HB 264 by Rep. Stephanie Berault (Slidell) would bring the reorganized Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) under the umbrella of the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC), which would be renamed Louisiana Works to reflect its expanded mission. HB 617 by Rep. Kim Carver (Mandeville) would reorganize DCFS to ensure better agency efficiency and coordination.

“Today, workforce services are spread across multiple state agencies, each operating under its own vision and goals,” Long said. “The proposed ‘One Door’ workforce policy would change that by aligning all workforce-related agencies, training programs, and funding sources under a unified structure.

“That would help small businesses and other employers find the right workers, and it would make it easier for job seekers to connect with the support and services they need to succeed in today’s economy,” she said.

“It’s time for Louisiana to build a workforce system as ambitious and capable as our people,” Long said. “These bills are a critical step toward that goal.”