The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Cathy Wells.
DIGEST
Morrell (SB 529)
Present law provides that the La. Protective Order Registry is a statewide registry for abuse
prevention orders to prevent domestic and dating violence and to aid law enforcement,
prosecutors, and the courts in handling cases of domestic violence.
Present law provides that any judge issuing any protective or restraining order shall cause to have
prepared a Uniform Abuse Prevention Order, or "Uniform Order", which shall be forwarded to
the clerk of court for filing. The clerk of court for the issuing court shall then transmit the
Uniform Abuse Prevention Order to the La. Protective Order Registry by facsimile, mail, or
direct electronic input no later than the end of the next business day after the order is filed with
the clerk of court. Upon receipt of such orders, present law requires Judicial Administrator's
Office to enter the information into the Registry.
Proposed law retains present law but adds the requirement that the judge who prepares the
Uniform Abuse Prevention Order, in addition to forwarding it to the clerk of court for filing,
shall also forward the Uniform Abuse Prevention Order to the Judicial Administrator's Office of
the La. Supreme Court for entry into the registry and shall provide a copy to the chief law
enforcement official of the parish where the person or persons protected by the order reside.
Proposed law amends present law and further provides that the transmittal of the Uniform Abuse
Prevention Order shall be by facsimile or direct electronic input no later than the end of the
business day on which the order was issued.
Proposed law requires the Judicial Administrator's Office to immediately enter such orders into
the registry.
Present law provides that the crime of violation of protective orders includes the willful
disobedience of an order issued to require a defendant to stay away from a specific person or
persons as a condition of his release on bond, probation, or parole.
Proposed law expands the crime of violation of protective orders to include the willful
disobedience of a Uniform Abuse Prevention Order in the registry.
Present law provides increased penalties for violations of protective orders which involve a
battery against the person who is protected by the protective order.
Proposed law amends present law to provide that the increased penalties apply for violations of
protective orders that involve a battery or any act that is enumerated as a crime of violence
against the person. Present law provides that law enforcement officers shall use every reasonable means, including
but not limited to immediate arrest of the violator, to enforce a preliminary or permanent
injunction, a temporary restraining order or ex parte protective order, or a protective order
obtained pursuant to present law.
Proposed law retains present law but provides that law enforcement officers shall immediately
arrest a person in violation of a protective order.
Present law provides for the duties of law enforcement relative to domestic abuse and provides
that when the officer has reason to believe that a family or household member or dating partner
has been abused, the officer shall immediately use all reasonable means to prevent further abuse.
Proposed law retains present law and provides that whenever a law enforcement officer has
reason to believe that a family or household member or dating partner has been abused and the
abusing party is in violation of a protective order issued pursuant to present law, the officer shall
immediately arrest the abusing party.
Present law provides guidelines for the law enforcement officer to determine which party in a
domestic dispute is the predominant aggressor. In making this determination, present law
requires law enforcement to consider certain factors.
Proposed law retains present law and requires the law enforcement to also consider the existence
of a protective order and further provides that there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the
predominant aggressor is the person against whom the order was filed.
Present law provides that when the officer determines that one person was the predominant
aggressor in a misdemeanor offense, the officer shall arrest the predominant aggressor if there is
reason to believe there is impending danger; otherwise, the officer has discretion in whether to
make the arrest.
Proposed law retains present law and requires the officer to also make an arrest if the
predominant aggressor is in violation of a protective order.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 9:366(A) and 372(B) and (C), R.S. 14:79(B), (C), (E), and (F), R.S. 46:2135(G)
and (H), 2136(E), (G), and (H), 2136.2(A) and (D), and 2140, Ch.C. Arts. 1569(H) and (I) and
1570(E), (G), and (H), C.C.P. Art. 3607.1, and C.Cr.P. Arts. 30(B), 327.1, 335.2(C), and 871.1;
Adds R.S. 14:79(A)(3)(d))