ENROLLED
2022 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 70
BY REPRESENTATIVE FREEMAN
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To urge and request the Louisiana Supreme Court to adopt minimum continuing legal
education requirements of certain judges, district attorneys, and assistant district
attorneys on the topic of domestic violence.
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor identified challenges Louisiana faces
in its efforts to address domestic violence in its December 16, 2021, performance audit
entitled "Challenges in Louisiana's Efforts to Address Domestic Violence"; and
WHEREAS, one such stated challenge is that "[w]hile state law requires law
enforcement training on domestic violence, other entities involved in addressing domestic
violence are not required to have such training. For example, there is no requirement for
judges and district attorneys to receive domestic violence training"; and
WHEREAS, the audit goes on to state that "[b]ecause domestic violence is a
complicated, dynamic issue, education on current best practices could improve how the
judicial branch and law enforcement protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable"; and
WHEREAS, continuing legal education requirements of attorneys, including judges,
district attorneys, and assistant district attorneys, are imposed by the supreme court.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Louisiana Supreme Court to impose a minimum of four hours of
continuing legal education on the topic of domestic violence to be completed by district
court, family court, and juvenile court judges, district attorneys, and assistant district
attorneys as follows:
Beginning January 1, 2023, each district court, family court, and juvenile court judge
shall receive a minimum of four hours of training on domestic violence, which shall include
but not be limited to the following topics:
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(1) Dynamics of domestic violence.
(2) Neurobiology of trauma and its implications for victim and witness
communication.
(3) Strangulation.
(4) Orders of Protection.
(5) Domestic Abuse Intervention Programming standards and legal requirements.
(6) Available support services for victims.
(7) Applicable state and federal domestic violence laws.
Beginning January 1, 2023, each district attorney and assistant district attorney shall
complete a minimum of four hours of training on domestic violence, which shall include but
not be limited to the following topics:
(1) Dynamics of domestic violence.
(2) Neurobiology of trauma and its implications for victim communication.
(3) Strangulation.
(4) Evidence-based prosecution.
(5) State and federal domestic violence related firearm prohibitions.
(6) Victim rights.
(7) Applicable state and federal domestic violence laws.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the
Supreme Court of Louisiana.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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