HLS 20RS-875 ORIGINAL
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 548
BY REPRESENTATIVE MARCELLE
COURTS/COURT COSTS: Provides relative to certain court fees for victims of domestic
violence
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 46:2136.1.1, relative to court fees; to eliminate court fees for victims of
3 domestic violence in a specific instance; and to provide for related matters.
4Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
5 Section 1. R.S. 46:2136.1.1 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
6 ยง2136.1.1. Contempt of court; fees
7 When the victim of domestic violence fails to appear for the hearing on the
8 rule to show cause for a restraining order, the victim shall not be held in contempt
9 of court and assessed court fees upon a showing of good cause. Good cause shall
10 include but is not limited to the following:
11 (1) The victim is sick.
12 (2) The victim had to work.
13 (3) The victim could not find proper child care.
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 548 Original 2020 Regular Session Marcelle
Abstract: Prohibits domestic violence victims from being held in contempt of court or
assessed court fees for good cause shown for failure to appear at a hearing for the
rule to show cause for a restraining order.
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 20RS-875 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 548
Proposed law provides that when the victim of domestic violence fails to appear for the
hearing on the rule to show cause for a restraining order, the victim shall not be held in
contempt of court and assessed court fees for good cause shown, which includes the
following:
(1)The victim was sick.
(2)The victim had to work.
(3)The victim could not find proper child care.
(Adds R.S. 46:2136.1.1)
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.