La. Ch. Code art. 619 — LA Code / Code childrens-code / Article 619
Instanter custody orders; instanter safety plan orders
Status: in_force

A.(1) A peace officer, district attorney, or employee of the local child protection unit of the department may file a verified complaint alleging facts showing that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the child is in need of care and that emergency removal or the implementation of a safety plan is necessary to secure the child's health, welfare, and safety.

(2) After the complaint has been filed, the parent is without authority to place the child with any individual or institution except the department until legal custody is returned to the parent or the safety plan is terminated.

B.(1) If removal of the child is requested, the court shall immediately determine whether reasonable efforts, as defined by Article 603, have been made by the department to prevent or eliminate the need for the child's removal. In making the determination, the court shall consider all of the following:

(a) Whether the department has requested a temporary restraining order pursuant to Article 617.

(b) Whether the department has requested a protective order pursuant to Article 618.

(c) Whether the department has requested an instanter safety plan order pursuant to this Article.

(d) Any services or support offered or attempted prior to the request for an instanter order to control the threat of danger or substitute for diminished or absent caretaker protective capacity.

(2) In making and determining reasonable efforts, the child's health, welfare, and safety shall be the paramount concern.

(3) Even if the department's efforts have not been reasonable, the court may authorize the removal of the child if the court determines that removal is necessary to secure the safety of the child and that additional efforts would not keep the child safe from identified threats of danger.

C.(1) Upon presentation of the verified complaint, the court shall immediately determine whether emergency removal or the issuance of an instanter safety plan order is necessary to secure the child's health, welfare, and safety.

(2) If the court finds that continuation in the home would be contrary to the health, welfare, and safety of the child, the court shall immediately issue a written instanter order directing that the child be placed in the provisional custody of a suitable relative or other suitable individual capable of protecting the health, welfare, and safety of the child or that the child be taken into the custody of the state. The order shall contain written findings of fact supporting the necessity for the child's removal. If the child has been ordered into the custody of a suitable relative or other suitable individual, a safety plan shall be made an order of the court and shall direct the provisional custodian to adhere to the conditions of the safety plan. The safety plan shall set forth conditions of contact with parents or other suitable individuals.

(3) If, upon request by the state, the court determines that with the issuance of a safety plan order, the child's health, welfare, and safety can be secured without removal, the court shall immediately issue a written instanter safety plan order directing compliance with the terms of the safety plan. The order shall contain written findings of fact supporting the necessity for the safety plan. The safety plan shall set forth conditions as determined by or agreed upon by the state as necessary for the child's health, welfare, and safety while remaining in the home.

(4) If the court determines that emergency removal or the issuance of a safety plan order is not necessary to secure the child's health, welfare, and safety, the court shall issue a written order denying the request for custody or for the implementation of a safety plan.

D. An instanter order shall be executed by either an employee of the local child protection unit or any peace officer having territorial jurisdiction over the child.

E. Any peace officer having territorial jurisdiction over the child is authorized to serve a summons upon a parent or caretaker, commanding him to appear at court for a continued custody or continued safety plan hearing. The summons shall expressly notify the parent or caretaker that the court may issue a binding order in his absence if he fails to appear. A copy of the summons shall be filed in the record as proof of service. An employee of the local child protection unit shall provide written notice to the parents or caretaker of the date, time, and location of the continued custody or continued safety plan hearing.

Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 634, §1, eff. June 15, 1993; Acts 1995, No. 1095, §2; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 1999, No. 1215, §1, eff. July 9, 1999; Acts 2001, No. 567, §1; Acts 2005, No. 148, §1; Acts 2006, No. 278, §1; Acts 2014, No. 486, §1; Acts 2022, No. 272, §1.