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)]
HB 487 Engrossed 2019 Regular Session Henry
Abstract: Provides a maximum amount of $150 in filing fees that can be assessed by a clerk of
court for state agency adoptions, waives all other fees and costs assessed or collected by
clerks of court in state agency adoptions, and limits the service of process fee to $30 for state
agency adoptions.
Proposed law requires the clerk of court to charge a maximum filing fee of not more than $150 for
in-state adoptions.
Proposed law defines "state agency adoption" as an any adoption proceeding wherein the child to
be adopted is in the legal custody of DCFS or the corresponding department of any other state.
Proposed law limits the service of process fee to be assessed on behalf of the sheriff's office for state
agency adoptions to $30 per petition.
Proposed law expressly waives all other fees and costs authorized to be assessed or collected by
clerks of court in state agency adoptions notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary.
(Adds R.S. 13:844.1)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Judiciary to the original bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Change the proposed law term from "in-state adoption" to "state agency adoption" and
provides a definition of state agency adoption.
3. Change the filing fee limitation from $175 to $150.
4. Limit the service of process fee assessed by the sheriff's office to $30 per adoption
petition for state agency adoptions.
5. Waive all other fees and costs authorized to be assessed or collected by clerks of court
in state agency adoptions notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary.