reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
LA Chil Code art. 635 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 635. Amendment of petition

  A. The petitioner may amend the petition at any time to cure defects of form, imperfection, omission, or uncertainty.  B. Prior to the adjudication hearing, the petitioner may amend the petition to include new allegations of fact or requests for adjudication.  C. On motion of the child or parent that he has been prejudiced in his defense on the merits by defect of form, imperfection, omission, or uncertainty, the court may grant a continuance for a reasonable time. In determining whether the child or parent has been prejudiced in his defense upon the merits, the court shall consider all circumstances of the case and the entire course of the proceedings.  Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2021, No. 270, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 635.1 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 635.1. Notice to counsel

Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall provide notice and a copy of the petition to the program designated for the jurisdiction to provide counsel for the child in accordance with Children's Code Article 607, and to the program representing indigent parents in accordance with Children's Code Article 608. Acts 2014, No. 354, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 636 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 636. Summons

When the petition is filed, the court shall issue a summons commanding the child, his resident parents, and such other persons as the court deems proper, to appear before the court at a designated time and place. The summons shall command the parents to appear to answer the petition at a designated time in accordance with Article 646 and may also command the presence of necessary participants for a prehearing conference convened in accordance with Article 646.1. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999.
LA Chil Code art. 637 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 637. Failure to appear as summoned

If a properly served person fails to appear in response to a summons, the court may order that such person be taken into custody and immediately brought before the court. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 638 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 638. Service of petition

A copy of the petition and the notice of the nature of the hearing and the rights of the parent, as provided for in Article 639, shall be served, in a sealed envelope, upon every parent of the child. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2006, No. 742, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 639 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 639. Notice of nature of proceedings; parental rights; form

The following notice shall be served with a petition and summons on every parent whose child is the subject of a child in need of care proceeding: "NOTICE Louisiana law provides that the health and safety of your child or children are of paramount importance and you can lose some or all of your parental rights regarding your children under certain circumstances. The state has filed a petition which claims that your child is abused or neglected or is otherwise in need of care and asks the court to hold a hearing to determine whether these circumstances exist. If the court rules that your child is being abused or neglected or is otherwise in need of care, as defined by Louisiana law, your rights to have custody of your child, to visit your child, or to make decisions affecting your child will be seriously affected. You may also become liable for paying the costs of your child's care if custody is awarded to some other individual or to the state. If your child cannot be safely returned home and the court grants custody to some other individual or to the state, a petition to terminate your parental rights may be filed. You have the right to hire an attorney and are encouraged to do so. When you come to court, if you cannot afford to hire an attorney, you may qualify to have the court appoint one for you at state expense. Whether or not you decide to hire an attorney, you have the right to attend all hearings of your case and must attend as summoned, and the right to call witnesses on your behalf, and to question those witnesses brought against you." Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999.
LA Chil Code art. 640 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 640. Service and return; resident parent

  A. If a parent resides within the state, service of the petition, summons, and notice shall be made as soon as possible, and not less than fifteen days prior to commencement of the adjudication hearing on the matter, by any of the following means:  (1) Personal service.  (2) Domiciliary service.  (3) Certified mail.  (4) Electronic mail to the electronic mail address expressly designated by the parent in a pleading, at the continued custody or continued safety plan hearing, or at any other hearing at which the parent personally appeared before the court.  B. The person effecting service shall execute a return and, if service was made by certified mail, the return receipt shall be attached thereto.  C. Service by electronic mail is complete upon transmission but is not effective if the serving party learns the transmission did not reach the party to be served.  Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2015, No. 124, §1, eff. June 19, 2015.
LA Chil Code art. 641 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 641. Service and return; nonresident parent

  A. If a parent does not reside within this state, service of the petition and notice, and summons if issued by the court, shall be made not less than five days prior to commencement of the adjudication hearing on the matter by any of the following means:  (1) Certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address indicated in the petition.  (2) Electronic mail to the electronic mail address expressly designated by the parent in a pleading, at the continued custody or continued safety plan hearing, or at any other hearing at which the parent personally appeared before the court.  B. If service was made by certified mail, the person effecting the service shall file the return receipt as proof of service.  C. Service by electronic mail is complete upon transmission but is not effective if the serving party learns the transmission did not reach the party to be served.  Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2015, No. 124, §1, eff. June 19, 2015.
LA Chil Code art. 642 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 642. Effect of nonappearance by a parent

If it appears from the record that the parent has been served in accordance with Article 640 or 641 and summoned to any hearing, and the parent fails to appear at the hearing, then the court shall permit the hearing to be held in the parent's absence and the petitioner shall be required to establish prima facie proof of the allegations contained in the petition. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999.
LA Chil Code art. 643 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 643. Service; absentee or unidentified parent; curator ad hoc

  A. If the parent against whom a proceeding is instituted cannot be served in accordance with Article 640 or 641, the court shall appoint an attorney at law as curator ad hoc for the parent and service shall be made upon the curator ad hoc.  B. Upon appointment of the curator ad hoc, a copy of the letter of appointment shall be forwarded to the department and the district attorney.  C. If the father is unidentified, it is not necessary to appoint a curator ad hoc for that parent. The father shall be considered unidentified if the biological father's name is not provided on the birth certificate, there is no presumed father, and no party to the proceedings or the mother, if not a party, is able to provide a first and last name of a putative father or alias sufficient to provide a reasonable possibility of identification and location.  Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2017, No. 239, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 644 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 644. Duties of curator ad hoc

  A. The curator ad hoc shall make a diligent effort to locate the parent and notify him of the pendency and nature of the proceedings. Such notice shall include:  (1) The allegations made against the parent.  (2) The right of the parent to appear at the hearing, to defend against the allegations, and to compel the attendance of witnesses in his behalf.  (3) The right of the parent to retain counsel, or to have counsel appointed if indigent.  (4) The possibility that the parent may be able to enter into an informal adjustment agreement, to consent to judgment, or to transfer custody, with the consent of the court.  (5) The parent's responsibility to notify the department and his counsel in writing of his current whereabouts, including his address, cellular number, telephone number, and any other contact information, and that if he fails to do so, the law authorizes hearings to be held in his absence.  (6) The parent's responsibility to notify the department and the court in writing of the current whereabouts, including address, cellular number, telephone number, and any other contact information, of the child's other parent and any relative or other individual willing and able to offer a wholesome and stable home for the child.  (7) The parent's responsibility to support the achievement of timely permanency for the child.  (8) The parent's responsibility to advise the department and the court in writing of the whereabouts, including the address, cellular number, telephone number, and any other contact information, of all grandparents, all parents of a sibling where such parent has legal custody of such sibling, and all other adult relatives of the child.  (9) The possibility that a judicial certification for adoption proceeding may be initiated if the child remains in the custody of the state.  B. If the curator ad hoc fails to locate the parent, the curator ad hoc shall attend the hearing of this matter, submit a note of evidence on the record indicating the efforts made to locate the parent, and proceed contradictorily unless the parent is subsequently served or waives objection to jurisdiction. Proceedings held contradictorily with the curator ad hoc shall be of full force and legal effect against the parent.  C. If the parent is subsequently served in accordance with either Article 640 or 641 or is located by the curator ad hoc, the curator ad hoc shall be required only to attend the hearing and submit a note of evidence on the record indicating the efforts made to locate the parent.  Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1997, No. 578, §4; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 2006, No. 248, §1; Acts 2015, No. 124, §1, eff. June 19, 2015.
LA Chil Code art. 645 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 645. Department of Children and Family Services to provide information concerning the parents' location; cooperation of the department

  A. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law to the contrary, the department shall obtain and provide to the district attorney with any request for a petition all available information pertinent to the location of every parent, including names and addresses of known relatives and any parents of a sibling where such parent has legal custody of the sibling, and any information available from the parent locator service. If a curator ad hoc is appointed, the department shall supply this information to him within fifteen days of its receipt of a copy of the order appointing the curator ad hoc. This duty shall be a continuing one as long as the child remains subject to the jurisdiction of the court.  B. The department shall fully cooperate with any court which has authority with respect to the placement of a child in foster care or for adoption for the purpose of locating a parent of the child. Such cooperation shall include making available all information obtained from the Federal Parent Locater Service.  Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 2007, No. 334, §1; Acts 2015, No. 124, §1, eff. June 19, 2015.
LA Chil Code art. 646 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 646. Answer; appearance; objection

  A. The court shall require the parent to appear and to answer the petition at any time prior to the adjudication hearing but no later than fifteen days after the filing of the petition.  B. If the petition is filed prior to or during the hearing to determine continued custody, the court may order the parent to answer the petition upon completion of the hearing.  C. At the appearance, the court may either convene immediately a prehearing conference authorized by Article 646.1, or set a date for the conference.  D. At this hearing, the parent shall be asked to provide an electronic mail address at which the parent is willing to receive service and notice of future proceedings. The court shall advise the parent that once an electronic mail address is provided, all service and notice of future proceedings may be sent electronically until such time he provides notice to the court and all parties in writing or in open court that he is no longer able to receive service or notice at such address.  E. The court may schedule future hearings and serve notice in open court.  Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 2015, No. 124, §1, eff. June 19, 2015.
LA Chil Code art. 646.1 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 646.1. Prehearing conference

A. On its own motion or on motion of counsel, the court may convene a prehearing conference attended by the district attorney, the department, counsel for all parties, unrepresented parties, and such other persons as the court deems proper. B. The prehearing conference may be conducted either in person or by telephone to consider any of the following: (1) The consideration of alternatives to formal court proceedings when their use is appropriate and in the best interests of the child. (2) Efforts to identify and locate an absent parent, and relatives or other individuals willing and able to offer a wholesome and stable home for the child. (3) Whether there is an issue of paternity requiring the issuance of an order for immediate blood or tissue sampling in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 9:396 et seq. (4) The simplification of the issues including the elimination of frivolous claims or defenses. (5) The necessity or desirability of amendments to the petition. (6) What material facts and issues exist without substantial controversy, and what material facts and issues are actually and in good faith controverted. (7) Proof, stipulations regarding the authenticity of documents, and advance rulings from the court on the admissibility of the evidence. (8) Limitations or restrictions on, or regulation of, the use of expert testimony. (9) The control and scheduling of discovery. (10) The identification of witnesses, documents, and exhibits. (11) Such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the action. C. The court shall render an order which recites the action taken at the prehearing conference, the amendments allowed to the petition, and the agreements made by the parties as to any of the matters considered, and which limits the issues for adjudication to those not disposed of by admissions or agreements of counsel. Such order controls the subsequent course of the action, unless modified at the adjudication hearing to prevent manifest injustice. D. If any party's counsel fails to obey a prehearing order, or to appear at the prehearing and scheduling conference, or is substantially unprepared to participate in the conference, or fails to participate in good faith, the court, upon its own motion or on the motion of a party, after hearing, may make such orders as are just, including orders provided in Code of Civil Procedure Article 1471(2), (3), and (4). In lieu of or in addition to any other sanction, the court may require the party or his counsel, or both, to pay the reasonable expenses incurred by noncompliance with this Paragraph, including attorney fees. Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999.
LA Chil Code art. 647 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 647. Stipulation; consent to judgment

With the approval of the petitioner and the department, if a child is in the custody of the department, a parent whose child is the subject of pending proceedings may, with or without admitting the allegations of the petition, stipulate that the child is in need of care according to Article 606, provided that: (1) A prehearing conference has been convened in accordance with Article 646.1. (2) The parent personally appears before the court. (3) The court fully informs the parent of his rights as required by Article 625. (4) The court fully informs the parent of the consequences of such a stipulation, including the parent's responsibility to comply with the case plan and correct the conditions requiring the child to be in care. (5) The parent knowingly and voluntarily consents to the judgment. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999.
LA Chil Code art. 648 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 648. Advice of rights at appearance to answer petition

At the appearance to answer, the court shall advise the parent of his rights and responsibilities pursuant to Article 625, unless so advised at a previous hearing. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999.
LA Chil Code art. 649 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 649. Answer to petition; objection by child

A. After the parent has been advised of his rights, and if the parent has not stipulated pursuant to Article 647, the court shall determine whether the parent admits or denies the allegations of the petition. (1) If the parent denies the allegations of the petition, the court shall set the matter for adjudication. (2) If the parent admits the allegations of the petition, the court shall determine whether there is a factual basis for adjudication and whether the parent consents to adjudication. B. A child may object, in writing or in open court, to an answer of his parent, which objection shall be entered into the minutes of the court. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999.
LA Chil Code art. 650 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 650.

§650. Repealed by Acts 1999, No. 449, §2, eff. July 1, 1999.
LA Chil Code art. 651 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 651. Preadjudication motions; time for filing; hearings

A. All motions prior to the adjudication hearing shall be made by written motion filed no later than fifteen days before any scheduled adjudication hearing. In the interest of justice, the court may allow additional time within which to make or file such motions or may permit such requests to be made by oral motion. B. The motion shall state with particularity the grounds therefor and shall set forth the relief sought. C. A motion may be granted without a contradictory hearing when mover is clearly entitled thereto without supporting proof. A motion shall not be denied without a contradictory hearing unless, assuming the facts alleged to be true, mover is not entitled to relief. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 653 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 653. Restrictive orders; discovery

A. The court may limit, modify, or restrict discovery upon written motion and a showing of good cause, such as a claim of confidentiality under R.S. 46:56. Such showing may be made ex parte if the interests of justice so require. B. If the court restricts, limits, or modifies its order, the written motion showing good cause may be sealed and shall be placed in the record of the proceeding. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 654 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 654. Medical, sensory, psychological, and psychiatric examinations

A. On its own motion, or on the motion of the child, the parent, or the petitioner, the court may order any child concerning whom a petition has been filed to be examined by a physician, optometrist, or audiologist. B. On its own motion or on motion of the parent or the petitioner, after a contradictory hearing and a showing of good cause, the court may order any child alleged to be in need of care to be examined by a psychologist or a psychiatrist. C. On the motion of the child, the court may order a child concerning whom a petition has been filed, to be examined by a psychologist or a psychiatrist. D. Any examination as herein provided shall be made and the findings submitted to the court within thirty days of the date the order is entered. Such period may be extended by the court for good cause. E. Copies of any reports of findings submitted to the court shall be available to counsel for all parties. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 655 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 655. Medical treatment of children; costs

A. On its own motion, or on the motion of the child or the petitioner, the court may order the parent of a child concerning whom a petition has been filed to provide necessary medical or surgical care. B. If the parent fails to provide such care, the court may, after due notice to the parent, order the care and order the parent to pay all or part of the expense. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 656 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 656. Motions for severance

On its own motion, or on the motion of the child, the parent, or the petitioner, if the petition also alleges that the child is a delinquent or that the family is in need of services, the court may, in the interest of justice, order separate adjudication hearings. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 657 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 657. Motions to dismiss

All objections to the proceedings, including objections based on defects in the petition and defenses capable of determination as a matter of law, may be raised by a motion to dismiss. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 658 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 658. Dismissal of petition

A. For good cause, the court may dismiss a petition on its own motion, or on the motion of the child or the parent. B. The court shall dismiss a petition on the motion of the petitioner. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 659 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 659. Time for adjudication hearing

A. If the child is in continued custody pursuant to Article 627, the adjudication hearing shall commence within forty-five days of the filing of the petition. If the child is not continued in custody, the adjudication hearing shall commence within one hundred five days of the filing of the petition. B. After notice to the opposing party and upon a showing of good cause, the court may grant, deny, or condition a requested continuance of the proceeding in extraordinary circumstances. The hearing may be continued for up to five additional days. If a continuance is granted, the court shall issue a written order identifying the mover and reciting the particular facts justifying the continuance. C. If the hearing has not been commenced timely, upon motion of the child, the court shall release a child continued in custody and may dismiss the petition. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999.
LA Chil Code art. 660 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 660. Order of adjudication hearing

The court shall determine the order of the presentation of evidence at an adjudication hearing. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.