RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 328 (HB 369) 2015 Regular Session Barrow
New law prohibits the state domestic violence coalition of La. (coalition) from taking any
action against a member of the coalition or domestic violence services provider that would
adversely affect the member or provider's ability to furnish shelter or supportive services to
the victims of domestic abuse and their families unless the coalition provided proper written
notice of the proposed disciplinary action and the right to an appeal hearing no less than 30
days prior to the disciplinary action being imposed. Further requires the coalition to give the
member or provider written notice of a scheduled appeal hearing, if requested, and the
opportunity to present arguments or evidence in support of the member or provider's position
prior to taking disciplinary action.
New law requires the coalition, no later than 48 hours after any disciplinary action is taken
against any member of the coalition or domestic violence services provider, to give written
notice of the disciplinary action to the Dept. of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the
House and Senate committees on health and welfare, and the representative and senator for
any district for which the member or provider renders services.
New law prohibits the written notification provided by the coalition to DCFS, the House and
Senate committees on health and welfare, and area legislators from containing privileged
communications and records. Further requires the written notification to be made in strict
compliance with the existing law provisions of the Protection from Family Violence Act
relative to privileged communications (R.S. 46:2124.1).
New law defines "shelter", "state domestic violence coalition", and "supportive services" as
those terms are defined in the federal Family Violence Prevention and Services Act.
Effective August 1, 2015.
(Adds R.S. 46:2148)