RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 239 (HB 505) 2019 Regular Session Coussan
Existing 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.
New 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. New law qualifies evidence-based nonprofit programs
as eligible programs.
Prior law required such seminars to last between three and four hours and cost no more than
$25 per person. New law removes the upper limitation on duration and cost of the program.
New law prohibits the program instructor from being called as a witness in the custody or
visitation proceeding without prior court approval.
Effective August 1, 2019.
(Amends R.S. 9:306(A), (B)(intro. para.), (1) and (3), (C), (D)(intro. para.) and (E);
Redesignates R.S. 9:306)