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 505 Engrossed 2019 Regular Session Coussan
Abstract: Requires a motion or agreement of the parties before the court may require parties to
complete a parenting program and modifies the duration of, cost for, and qualifications of
such a program. Allows the court to render judgment for costs for the program and prohibits
the instructor from serving as witness without court approval.
Present law authorizes courts to require parties in a custody or visitation proceeding to complete a
court-approved seminar to educate the parties of the needs of children. Present law requires such
seminar to last between three and four hours and cost no more than $25 per person.
Proposed law authorizes courts to require the parties to complete the court-approved program only
upon motion of a party, its own motion, or upon agreement of the parties and to render judgment for
costs for the program. Proposed law qualifies evidence-based nonprofit programs as eligible
programs, and removes the upper limitation on duration and cost of the program.
Proposed law prohibits the program instructor from being called as a witness in the custody or
visitation proceeding without prior court approval.
(Amends R.S. 9:306(A), (B)(intro. para.), (1) and (3), (C), (D)(intro. para.) and (E); Redesignates
R.S. 9:306)