SLS 14RS-1585 ENGROSSED
Page 1 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
SENATE BILL NO. 578
BY SENATOR BROOME
FAMILY LAW. Provides relative to an award of visitiation rights. (8/1/14)
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact Civil Code Article 136(B) and (C), relative to children; to provide2
relative to an award of visitation rights to a grandparent and certain other persons;3
to provide certain procedures and conditions; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. Civil Code Article 136(B) and (C) are hereby amended and reenacted to6
read as follows:7
Art. 136. Award of visitation rights8
* * *9
B. A grandparent not granted custody of a child may be granted reasonable10
visitation rights if the court finds that it is in the best interest of the child. Before11
making this determination, the court shall hold a contradictory hearing as provided12
for in R.S. 9:345 in order to determine whether the court should appoint an attorney13
to represent the child.14
C. Under extraordinary circumstances, any other relative, by blood or15
affinity, or a former stepparent or stepgrandparent, not granted custody of the child16
may be granted reasonable visitation rights if the court finds that it is in the best17 SB NO. 578
SLS 14RS-1585 ENGROSSED
Page 2 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
interest of the child. Extraordinary circumstances shall include a determination by1
a court that a parent is abusing a controlled dangerous substance.2
* * *3
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Angela L. De Jean
DIGEST
Broome (SB 578)
Present law provides that a grandparent not granted custody of a child may be granted
reasonable visitation rights if the court finds that it is in the best interest of the child.
Proposed law removes phrase "not granted custody of a child" and retains remainder of
present law.
Present law provides that before making this determination, the court shall hold a
contradictory hearing as provided for in present law in order to determine whether the court
should appoint an attorney to represent the child.
Present law provides that under extraordinary circumstances, any other relative, by blood
or affinity, or a former stepparent or stepgrandparent, not granted custody of the child may
be granted reasonable visitation rights if the court finds that it is in the best interest of the
child.
Proposed law removes phrase "not granted custody of the child" and retains remainder of
present law.
Effective August 1, 2014.
(Amend C.C. Art. 136(B) and (C))