HLS 20RS-81 ORIGINAL
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 113
BY REPRESENTATIVE AMEDEE
COURTS: Provides relative to the use of facility dogs in court
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 15:284(F), relative to the use of facility dogs in certain circumstances; to
3 provide an alternative reference to the law regarding the use of facility dogs in court
4 proceedings; and to provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 15:284(F) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
7 ยง284. Facility dogs; use in court; procedure
8 * * *
9 F. This Section may be referred to and may be cited as "Duvall's Law".
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 113 Original 2020 Regular Session Amedee
Abstract: Allows for R.S. 15:284 to be referred to and cited as "Duvall's Law"
Present law requires the court to allow a witness who is either under 18 years of age or who
has a developmental disability to have a facility dog, if available, accompany them while
testifying in court.
Present law authorizes the court to allow the use of facility dogs in cases involving all other
witnesses.
Present law requires notice to the court and provides for jury instructions regarding the role
of the facility dog.
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 20RS-81 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 113
Present law defines "facility dog" as a dog that is certified and a graduate of an assistance
dog organization that is accredited and is specially trained to provide emotional support to
witnesses testifying in judicial proceedings without causing a distraction during the
proceedings.
Proposed law retains present law and allows for present law to be referred to and cited as
"Duvall's Law".
(Adds R.S. 15:284(F))
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.