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 742 Original 2020 Regular Session Wilford Carter
Abstract: Designates and limits the subject matter for Divisions A, C, and I of the 14th Judicial
District Court (JDC) to family and juvenile matters and changes the election section from
which Divisions B and I judges are elected in the 14th Judicial District.
Present law provides that the 14th Judicial District Court shall have nine judges.
Present law provides that two judges (Divisions F and H) shall be elected from election section one,
four judges (Divisions B, C, D, and G) shall be elected from election section two, two
judges (Divisions A and E) shall be elected from election section three, and one judge (Division I)
shall be elected from election sections one and three combined.
Proposed law retains present law except with regard to the election of the judges for Divisions B and
I. Proposed law provides that the judge for Division I shall be elected from only election section one
instead of being elected from election sections one and three combined and provides that the judge
for Division B shall be elected from election section three instead of election section two.
Proposed law provides that the subject matter of Divisions A, C, and I is limited to family and
juvenile matters.
For purposes of proposed law, proposed law provides that family and juvenile matters include all
actions arising under Titles IV, V, and VII of Book I and Title VI of Book III of the Civil Code and
related provisions of the Civil Code Ancillaries, all actions arising under the Children's Code,
adoptions arising under the Civil Code, actions involving protection from family violence pursuant
to R.S. 46:2131 et seq., and actions for enforcement, collection of support, and paternity pursuant
to R.S. 46:236.1.1 et seq.
Proposed law further provides that "juvenile matters" shall include but not be limited to all actions
arising under or incidental to the Children's Code.
Proposed law provides that for the purposes of proposed law, family and juvenile matters include
all actions incidental to those matters including but not limited to contempt, civil warrants, writs of
habeas corpus, curatorship, change of name, prenuptial or separate property agreements, interspousal
donations, lesions, and challenge to consent judgment.
Effective July 1, 2020. (Amends R.S. 13:621.14)