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 871 Reengrossed 2022 Regular Session Marcelle
Abstract: Authorizes a judge to forward a failure to appear after 60 days to the Dept. of Public
Safety and Corrections and waives reinstatement fees and fines upon resolution of a suspension for
a failure to honor a written promise to appear.
Present law authorizes the magistrate or judge of the court exercising jurisdiction to immediately
forward a notice of the failure to appear to the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) with
information necessary for identification of the arrested person whenever an arrested person released
on his written promise to appear before a magistrate as specified in a summons fails to appear.
Proposed law changes the time period authorizing a magistrate or judge to forward the notice of the
failure to appear from immediately upon the failure to appear to after 60 days has lapsed from the
failure to appear.
Present law requires the DPS&C to immediately notify the arrested person of the suspension of his
operator's license and impose a $50 fee, regardless of the disposition of the original charge. Present
law requires the DPS&C to inform the arrested person that his operator's license cannot be renewed
or reissued until the forwarding court exercising jurisdiction certifies he honored the appearance or
paid an appropriate fine for the offense as determined by the forwarding court exercising jurisdiction.
Present law requires the prosecuting authority to immediately notify the DPS&C whenever the
arrested person makes an appearance as required by present law or pays the appropriate fine for the
offense committed. Present law requires the operator's license of the arrested person to be renewed
or reissued upon notification and payment of an additional $50 to the department.
Proposed law waives the payment of any previously imposed reinstatement fees or fines provided
in present law for anyone who resolves a previous suspension for a failure to honor a written promise
to appear under the provisions of present law with the court exercising jurisdiction and provides
corresponding proof to the DPS&C.
(Amends R.S. 32:57.1(A) and (B); Adds R.S. 32:57.1(D))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Transportation, Highways and
Public Works to the original bill: 1. Make a technical change.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Change the time period authorizing a magistrate or judge to forward the notice of the
failure to appear from immediately after the failure to appear to after 60 days has lapsed
from the failure to appear.