HLS 24RS-772 ENGROSSED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 501
BY REPRESENTATIVE PHELPS
CHILDREN: Provides relative to truant children
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact Children's Code Articles 743(B) and 744(A) and to enact Children's
3 Code Article 743(C), relative to truant children; to provide for a mandatory
4 conference prior to appearance; to provide relative to the informal family plan; and
5 to provide for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. Children's Code Articles 743(B) and 744(A) are hereby amended and
8reenacted and Children's Code Article 743(C) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
9 Art. 743. Mandatory conference
10 * * *
11 B. This conference may be held at any time before or after a petition is filed
12 but shall and may be held before any appearance to answer is made.
13 C. If the preadjudication conference provided by Article 744 is held prior to
14 appearance, the court shall recognize the conference as satisfied in order to move to
15 appearance to answer.
16 Art. 744. Informal family services plan agreement
17 A. After At any time prior to or after any preadjudication conference, the
18 child, his caretakers, and any service provider may effect an informal family services
19 plan agreement.
20 * * *
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 24RS-772 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 501
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 501 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Phelps
Abstract: Provides relative to truant children and family in need of services proceedings.
Present law (Ch.C. Art. 743) provides that the mandatory conference may be held at any
time before or after a petition is filed but shall be held before any appearance to answer is
made.
Proposed law retains present law but provides that the conference may be held before any
appearance to answer is made.
Proposed law (Ch.C. Art. 743(C)) provides that if the preadjudication conference provided
by Article 744 is held prior to appearance, the court shall recognize the conference as
satisfied in order to move to appearance to answer.
Present law (Ch.C. Art. 744) provides that after any preadjudication conference, any
provider may effect an informal family services plan agreement.
Proposed law retains present law but provides that the provider may effect an informal
family services plan agreement at any time prior to or after any preadjudication conference.
(Amends Ch.C. Arts. 743(B) and 744(A); Adds Ch.C. Art. 743(C))
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.