The legislature finds that:

(1)  National and community service is a valuable and effective means for Louisianians to meet the country’s and state’s critical, unmet educational, environmental, human, and public safety needs.

(2)  Community service builds a lifelong ethic of service, citizenship, and understanding among Louisianians, and unites citizens of all ages, races, and backgrounds to build civic-minded, cooperative, and caring communities.

(3)  Community service programs foster a spirit of pride in citizenship and provide participants with the skills and educational opportunities necessary for the long-term prosperity of this state.

(4)  Service learning expands the opportunities for learning to serve within the school and within the wider community by creating partnerships in service between the school and the community.

(5)  Active support and collaboration from the private sector, the public sector, and the nonprofit sector are essential in developing and implementing community service programs.

(6)  The National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 requires that a bipartisan, policy-making commission be established for the implementation of the federal legislation in this state.

Acts 1995, No. 742, §2, eff. June 27, 1995; Acts 2012, No. 553, §3.