ENROLLED
Page 1 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
ACT No. 102
Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE BILL NO. 169
BY REPRESENTATIVE MACK
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 13:621.21(B) and to enact R.S. 13:621.21(C), (D), (E), and (F),2
relative to district court judgeships in the Twenty-First Judicial District Court; to3
abolish a judgeship in the Twenty-First Judicial District Court and to provide for the4
creation of a new judgeship; to provide for limited subject matter jurisdiction; to5
provide for effective dates; to provide election requirements and terms of office; to6
provide for compensation and expense allowances; and to provide for related7
matters.8
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:9
Section 1. R.S. 13:621.21(B) is hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.10
13:621.21(C), (D), (E), and (F) are hereby enacted to read as follows: 11
ยง621.21. Twenty-First Judicial District12
* * *13
B.(1) The judgeship comprising Division H shall be abolished effective14
midnight, December 31, 2014, or at any earlier time upon such judgeship becoming15
vacant for any reason.16
(2) There is hereby created a new judgeship effective January 1, 2015 , or at17
any earlier time upon the judgeship in the former Division H becoming vacant. This18
judge and his successors shall preside over Division J, which is hereby created for19
purposes of nomination, election, and subject matter. The subject matter jurisdiction20
of Division J is limited, under the provisions of Article V, Section 15(A) of the21
Constitution of Louisiana, to family and juvenile matters as provided by law. For22 ENROLLEDHB NO. 169
Page 2 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
purposes of this Subsection, "family matters" shall include all actions arising under1
Titles V and VII of Book I and Title VI of Book III of the Louisiana Civil Code,2
adoptions arising under the Louisiana Civil Code and the Louisiana Children's Code,3
actions involving protection from family violence pursuant to R.S. 46:2131 et seq.,4
and actions for enforcement, collection of support, and paternity pursuant to R.S.5
46:236.5. The jurisdiction or term of office of any other judge of the district shall6
not be affected or reduced by the creation of this judgeship.7
(3) For the purposes of this Subsection, a vacancy shall be created by death,8
resignation, retirement, or any other reason.9
C.(1) The judgeship comprising Division G shall be abolished effective10
midnight, December 31, 2014.11
(2) There is hereby created a new judgeship effective January 1, 2015. The12
judge and his successors shall preside over Division K, which is hereby created for13
purposes of nomination, election, and subject matter. The subject matter jurisdiction14
of Division K is limited, under the provisions of Article V, Section 15(A) of the15
Constitution of Louisiana, to family and juvenile matters as provided by law. For16
purposes of this Subsection, "family matters" shall include all actions arising under17
Titles V and VII of Book I and Title VI of Book III of the Louisiana Civil Code,18
adoptions arising under the Louisiana Civil Code and the Louisiana Children's Code,19
actions involving protection from family violence pursuant to R.S. 46:2131 et seq.,20
and actions for enforcement, collection of support, and paternity pursuant to R.S.21
46:236.5. The jurisdiction or term of office of any other judge of the district shall22
not be affected or reduced by the creation of this judgeship.23
D.(1) Should a vacancy occur prior to December 31, 2014, in Division G or24
H, the judges of the Twenty-First Judicial District may, by en banc order, assign and25
transfer all family matters as provided by law to either or both divisions wherein26
there is a vacancy, through December 31, 2014.27
(2) For the purposes of this Subsection, a vacancy shall be created by death,28
resignation, retirement, or any other reason.29 ENROLLEDHB NO. 169
Page 3 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
E. The judges and their successors created by this Section shall be elected1
at large and shall have jurisdiction throughout the district. The judges shall be2
elected for a six-year term at the congressional election held in 2014 and every sixth3
year thereafter.4
F. The judges and their successors created by this Section shall receive the5
same compensation and expense allowances, payable from the same sources and in6
the same manner, as are provided for other judges of the Twenty-First Judicial7
District.8
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not9
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature10
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If11
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become12
effective on the day following such approval.13
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: