HLS 13RS-696 ENGROSSED
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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 32
BY REPRESENTATIVES GREENE AND FOIL
CHILDREN/SUPPORT: Requests the La. State Law Institute to review child support
guidelines and laws regarding custody and visitation relative to children with
developmental disabilities
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the Louisiana State Law Institute to review the child support guidelines,2
the laws governing the application of the guidelines to children with developmental3
disabilities, and the laws regarding custody and visitation for developmentally4
disabled adult children, and to report its findings and recommendations in the form5
of specific proposed legislation to the Louisiana Legislature no later than February6
1, 2014.7
WHEREAS, Louisiana recognizes that child support is a continuous obligation of8
both parents, that children are entitled to share in the current income of both parents, and that9
children should not be the economic victims of divorce or out-of-wedlock birth; and10
WHEREAS, Louisiana utilizes child support guidelines to determine the amount of11
the child support award, but the court is authorized to deviate from the guidelines if their12
application would not be in the best interest of the child or would be inequitable to the13
parties; and14
WHEREAS, R.S. 9:315.22 provides for an automatic termination of a child support15
award when the child attains the age of majority; and16
WHEREAS, R.S. 9:315.22(D) provides for an extension of child support until the17
age of twenty-two when the child has a developmental disability and is a full-time student18
in a secondary school; and19 HLS 13RS-696 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 32
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WHEREAS, there are an increasing number of children with developmental1
disabilities, such as the spectrum of autistic children, and their need for therapy programs,2
intervention, treatment, and support continues beyond the age of twenty-two; and3
WHEREAS, the law currently makes no provision for custody or visitation between4
parents and their adult children, even those with disabilities, beyond the age of eighteen; and5
WHEREAS, other states, including Texas, make provisions for the extension of child6
support and visitation for developmentally disabled children beyond the age of majority.7
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby8
urge and request the Louisiana State Law Institute to review the child support guidelines, the9
law as applied to children with developmental disabilities, and the laws regarding custody10
and visitation for developmentally disabled adult children, and consider extending child11
support beyond age twenty-two and providing for custody and visitation between those12
children and their parents in the event of a divorce.13
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted14
to the Louisiana State Law Institute and that it report its findings and recommendations in15
the form of specific proposed legislation to the Louisiana Legislature no later than February16
1, 2014.17
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Greene HCR No. 32
Requests the La. State Law Institute to review child support guidelines and laws regarding
custody and visitation relative to children with developmental disabilities.