reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1285.8. Interlocutory decree

Art. 1285.8. Interlocutory decree
Upon due consideration of the factors enumerated in Article 1285.6(B), the court may grant or refuse to grant an interlocutory decree during or after the hearing. The basic consideration for this decree shall be the best interest of the child.
Acts 2013, No. 86, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1285.9. Final decree at first hearing

Art. 1285.9. Final decree at first hearing
Upon due consideration of the factors enumerated in Article 1285.6(B), the court may render a final decree of adoption at the first hearing, without the necessity of first entering an interlocutory decree, if the child was placed in the petitioner's home by a licensed agency and the child has lived in that home for at least six months prior to the hearing for adoption.
Acts 2013, No. 86, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1285.10. Continuing duties of department

Art. 1285.10. Continuing duties of department
A. After an interlocutory decree has been entered, the department shall maintain contact with the proposed adoptive home directly or through another agency in accordance with Paragraph B of this Article. The number of visits to the home and the time for them shall be within the discretion of the department; however, no less than two visits shall be made to the home, one of which shall occur within thirty days before the final decree of adoption.
B. The department may delegate the performance of this investigation to a licensed private adoption agency, but the department remains responsible for ensuring the accuracy and thoroughness of the resulting report and for the safety and welfare of the child. The department shall adopt, promulgate, and enforce such rules and regulations as are necessary and appropriate to implement this authorization in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
C. A second confidential report must be presented to the court preceding the hearing on the final decree of adoption. The findings of this report shall be based upon the same findings as prescribed in Article 1285.5 and shall disclose any changed conditions and all new pertinent information.
Acts 2013, No. 86, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1285.11. Expiration of interlocutory decree

Art. 1285.11. Expiration of interlocutory decree
If no petition for a final decree is filed within two years after the granting of an interlocutory decree, the latter shall become null and void unless good cause is shown why an extension should be granted.
Acts 2013, No. 86, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1285.12. Revocation of interlocutory decree

Art. 1285.12. Revocation of interlocutory decree
A. At any time before the entry of the final decree of adoption, the court for good cause may revoke its interlocutory decree either on its own motion, on the motion of the department, or on the motion of the petitioner or any person interested in the child.
B. All parties upon whom service was originally made shall be notified at least ten days prior to the signing of the order of revocation and shall be given an opportunity to be heard upon their written request.
Acts 2013, No. 86, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1285.13. Petition for final decree following interlocutory decree

Art. 1285.13. Petition for final decree following interlocutory decree
A. The child shall have lived with the petitioner for at least one year and at least six months shall have elapsed after the granting of an interlocutory decree before the petitioner may file a petition for final decree of adoption.
B. The court shall set a time and place for the hearing of the petition for final decree. The petition for final decree need not be served upon anyone except the department.
Acts 2013, No. 86, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1285.14. Final decree; notice; standard

Art. 1285.14. Final decree; notice; standard
A. The court, as a part of the final decree, shall provide notice of the provisions of R.S. 14:46.4 to the parties.
B. The court, after a hearing and after taking into consideration information from all sources concerning the adoption, may enter a final decree of adoption, or it may deny the adoption. The basic consideration shall be the best interest of the child.
Acts 2013, No. 86, §1; Acts 2014, No. 721, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1285.15. Effect of final decree

Art. 1285.15. Effect of final decree
If not determined previously, upon a final decree of adoption, the parents of the child are relieved of all their legal duties and divested of all their legal rights with regard to the adopted child, and the adopted child is relieved of all of his legal duties and divested of all his legal rights with regard to the parents, except the right of the child to inherit from his parents. A final decree of adoption automatically entitles the child to United States citizenship under the Intercountry Adoption Act.
Acts 2013, No. 86, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1285.16. Change of name; issuance of birth certificate

Art. 1285.16. Change of name; issuance of birth certificate
The full name of the adopted child may be changed in the final decree of adoption and, if changed, the surname shall be the same as that of the adoptive parent. In accordance with R.S. 40:79, the clerk of court shall forward, on a form supplied by the Department of Children and Family Services, his certificate of the decree to the state registrar, who shall make a new certificate of live birth of the person adopted, in the new name if the name has been changed in the decree.
Acts 2013, No. 86, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1285.17. Refusal of final decree

Art. 1285.17. Refusal of final decree
Upon refusal to grant a final decree to the petitioners for the reason that the intercountry adoption is not in the best interest of the child, the court may remove the child from the petitioner and reinstate the legal custodian or appoint a custodian.
Acts 2013, No. 86, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1301.1. Short title

TITLE XIII
SUPPORT OF FAMILY
CHAPTER 1. UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY
SUPPORT ACT
Section 1. General Provisions
Art. 1301.1. Short title
This Chapter may be cited as the "Uniform Interstate Family Support Act".
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1301.3. State Tribunal and Support Enforcement Agency

Art. 1301.3. State tribunal and support enforcement agency
A. The district courts or, if applicable, the family or juvenile courts, and the division of administrative review, Department of Children and Family Services, or other administrative law division authorized by law, are the tribunals of this state for purposes of this Chapter.
B. The Department of Children and Family Services is the support enforcement agency of this state.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1301.4. Remedies cumulative

Art. 1301.4. Remedies cumulative
A. Remedies provided by this Chapter are cumulative and do not affect the availability of remedies under other law or the recognition of a foreign support order on the basis of comity.
B. This Chapter does not:
(1) Provide the exclusive method of establishing or enforcing a support order under the law of this state; or
(2) Grant a tribunal of this state jurisdiction to render judgment or issue an order relating to child custody or visitation in a proceeding under this Chapter.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2010, No. 877, §3, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1301.5. Application of Chapter to resident of foreign country and foreign support proceeding

Art. 1301.5. Application of Chapter to resident of foreign country and foreign support proceeding
A. A tribunal of this state shall apply Sections 1 through 6 and, as applicable, Section 7, to a support proceeding involving:
(1) A foreign support order;
(2) A foreign tribunal; or
(3) An obligee, obligor, or child residing in a foreign country.
B. A tribunal of this state that is requested to recognize and enforce a support order on the basis of comity may apply the procedural and substantive provisions of Sections 1 through 6.
C. Section 7 applies only to a support proceeding under the Convention. In such a proceeding, if a provision of Section 7 is inconsistent with Sections 1 through 6, Section 7 controls.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1302.1. Basis for jurisdiction over nonresident

Section 2. Jurisdiction
Art. 1302.1. Basis for jurisdiction over nonresident
A. In a proceeding to establish or enforce a support order or to determine parentage of a child, a tribunal of this state may exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident individual or the individual's guardian, curator, or tutor, if:
(1) The individual is personally served with citation, summons, or notice within this state;
(2) The individual submits to the jurisdiction of this state by consent in a record, by entering a general appearance, or by filing a responsive document having the effect of waiving any contest to personal jurisdiction;
(3) The individual resided with the child in this state;
(4) The individual resided in this state and provided prenatal expenses or support for the child;
(5) The child resides in this state as a result of the acts or directives of the individual;
(6) The individual engaged in sexual intercourse in this state and the child may have been conceived by that act of intercourse;
(7) The individual asserted parentage of a child in the putative father registry maintained in this state by the Louisiana Department of Health, office of public health; or
(8) There is any other basis consistent with the constitutions of this state and the United States for the exercise of personal jurisdiction.
B. The basis for personal jurisdiction set forth in Paragraph A or in any other law of this state may not be used to acquire personal jurisdiction for a tribunal of this state to modify a child support order of another state unless the requirements of Article 1306.11 are met, or, in the case of a foreign support order, unless the requirements of Article 1306.15 are met.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2013, No. 220, §25, eff. June 11, 2013; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1302.2. Duration of personal jurisdiction

Art. 1302.2. Duration of personal jurisdiction
Personal jurisdiction acquired by a tribunal of this state in a proceeding under this Chapter or other law of this state relating to a support order continues as long as a tribunal of this state has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify its order or continuing jurisdiction to enforce its order as provided by Articles 1302.5, 1302.6, and 1302.11.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1302.3. Initiating and responding tribunal of state

Art. 1302.3. Initiating and responding tribunal of state
Under this Chapter, a tribunal of this state may serve as an initiating tribunal to forward proceedings to a tribunal of another state and as a responding tribunal for proceedings initiated in another state or a foreign country.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1302.4. Simultaneous proceedings

Art. 1302.4. Simultaneous proceedings
A. A tribunal of this state may exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the petition or comparable pleading is filed after a pleading is filed in another state or a foreign country only if:
(1) The petition or comparable pleading in this state is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in the other state or the foreign country for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by the other state or the foreign country;
(2) The contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in the other state or the foreign country; and
(3) If relevant, this state is the home state of the child.
B. A tribunal of this state may not exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the petition or comparable pleading is filed before a petition or comparable pleading is filed in another state or a foreign country if:
(1) The petition or comparable pleading in the other state or foreign country is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in this state for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by this state;
(2) The contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in this state; and
(3) If relevant, the other state or foreign country is the home state of the child.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1302.5. Continuing exclusive jurisdiction to modify child support order

Art. 1302.5. Continuing exclusive jurisdiction to modify child support order
A. A tribunal of this state that has issued a child support order consistent with the law of this state has and shall exercise continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify its child support order if the order is the controlling order and:
(1) At the time of the filing of a request for modification, this state is the residence of the obligor, the individual obligee, or the child for whose benefit the support order is issued; or
(2) Even if this state is not the residence of the obligor, the individual obligee, or the child for whose benefit the support order is issued, the parties consent in a record or in open court that the tribunal of this state may continue to exercise jurisdiction to modify its order.
B. A tribunal of this state that has issued a child support order consistent with the law of this state may not exercise continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify the order if:
(1) All of the parties who are individuals file consent in a record with the tribunal of this state that a tribunal of another state that has jurisdiction over at least one of the parties who is an individual or that is located in the state of residence of the child may modify the order and assume continuing, exclusive jurisdiction; or
(2) Its order is not the controlling order.
C. If a tribunal of another state has issued a child support order pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act or a law substantially similar to that Act which modifies a child support order of a tribunal of this state, tribunals of this state shall recognize the continuing, exclusive jurisdiction of the tribunal of the other state.
D. A tribunal of this state that lacks continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify a child support order may serve as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to modify a support order issued in that state.
E. A temporary support order issued ex parte or pending resolution of a jurisdictional conflict does not create continuing, exclusive jurisdiction in the issuing tribunal.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1302.6. Continuing jurisdiction to enforce child support order

Art. 1302.6. Continuing jurisdiction to enforce child support order
A. A tribunal of this state that has issued a child support order consistent with the law of this state may serve as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce:
(1) The order if the order is the controlling order and has not been modified by a tribunal of another state that assumed jurisdiction pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act; or
(2) A money judgment for arrears of support and interest on the order accrued before a determination that an order of a tribunal of another state is the controlling order.
B. A tribunal of this state having continuing jurisdiction over a support order may act as a responding tribunal to enforce the order.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1302.8. Child support orders for two or more obligees

Art. 1302.8. Child support orders for two or more obligees
In responding to registrations or petitions for enforcement of two or more child support orders in effect at the same time with regard to the same obligor and different individual obligees, at least one of which was issued by a tribunal of another state or a foreign country, a tribunal of this state shall enforce those orders in the same manner as if the orders had been issued by a tribunal of this state.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1302.9. Credit for payments

Art. 1302.9. Credit for payments
A tribunal of this state shall credit amounts collected for a particular period pursuant to any child support order against the amounts owed for the same period under any other child support order for support of the same child issued by a tribunal of this state, another state, or a foreign country.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1302.10. Application of Chapter to nonresident subject to personal jurisdiction

Art. 1302.10. Application of Chapter to nonresident subject to personal jurisdiction
A tribunal of this state exercising personal jurisdiction over a nonresident in a proceeding under this Chapter, under other law of this state relating to a support order, or recognizing a foreign support order may receive evidence from outside this state pursuant to Article 1303.16, communicate with a tribunal outside this state pursuant to Article 1303.17, and obtain discovery through a tribunal outside this state pursuant to Article 1303.18. In all other respects, Sections 3 through 6 do not apply, and the tribunal shall apply the procedural and substantive law of this state.
Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1302.11. Continuing exclusive jurisdiction to modify spousal support order

Art. 1302.11. Continuing exclusive jurisdiction to modify spousal support order
A. A tribunal of this state issuing a spousal support order consistent with the law of this state has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify the spousal support order throughout the existence of the support obligation.
B. A tribunal of this state may not modify a spousal support order issued by a tribunal of another state or a foreign country having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over that order under the law of that state or foreign country.
C. A tribunal of this state that has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a spousal support order may serve as:
(1) An initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce the spousal support order issued in this state; or
(2) A responding tribunal to enforce or modify its own spousal support order.
Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1303.1. Proceedings under Chapter

Section 3. Civil Provisions of General Application
Art. 1303.1. Proceedings under Chapter
A. Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, this Section applies to all proceedings under this Chapter.
B. An individual petitioner or a support enforcement agency may initiate a proceeding authorized under this Chapter by filing a petition in an initiating tribunal for forwarding to a responding tribunal or by filing a petition or a comparable pleading directly in a tribunal of another state or foreign country which has or can obtain personal jurisdiction over the respondent.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1303.2. Proceeding by minor parent

Art. 1303.2. Proceeding by minor parent
A minor parent, or a guardian or other legal representative of a minor parent, may maintain a proceeding on behalf of or for the benefit of the minor's child.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1303.3. Application of law of state

Art. 1303.3. Application of law of state
Except as otherwise provided by this Chapter, a responding tribunal of this state shall:
(1) Apply the procedural and substantive law generally applicable to similar proceedings originating in this state and may exercise all powers and provide all remedies available in those proceedings; and
(2) Determine the duty of support and the amounts payable in accordance with the law and support guidelines of this state.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1303.4. Duties of initiating tribunal

Art. 1303.4. Duties of initiating tribunal
A. Upon the filing of a petition authorized by this Chapter, an initiating tribunal of this state shall forward the petition and its accompanying documents:
(1) To the responding tribunal or appropriate support enforcement agency in the responding state; or
(2) If the identity of the responding tribunal is unknown, to the state information agency of the responding state with a request that they be forwarded to the appropriate tribunal and that receipt be acknowledged.
B. If requested by the responding tribunal, a tribunal of this state shall issue a certificate or other document and make findings required by the law of the responding state. If the responding tribunal is in a foreign country, upon request the tribunal of this state shall specify the amount of support sought, convert that amount into the equivalent amount in the foreign currency under applicable official or market exchange rate as publicly reported, and provide any other documents necessary to satisfy the requirements of the responding foreign tribunal.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1303.5. Duties and powers of responding tribunal

Art. 1303.5. Duties and powers of responding tribunal
A. When a responding tribunal of this state receives a petition or comparable pleading from an initiating tribunal or directly pursuant to Article 1303.1(B), it shall cause the petition or pleading to be filed and notify the petitioner where and when it was filed.
B. A responding tribunal of this state, to the extent not prohibited by other law, may do one or more of the following:
(1) Establish or enforce a support order, modify a child support order, determine the controlling child support order, or determine parentage of a child
(2) Order an obligor to comply with a support order, specifying the amount and the manner of compliance;
(3) Order income withholding;
(4) Determine the amount of any arrearages and specify a method of payment;
(5) Enforce orders by civil or criminal contempt, or both;
(6) Set aside property for satisfaction of the support order;
(7) Place liens and order execution on the obligor's property;
(8) Order an obligor to keep the tribunal informed of the obligor's current residential address, electronic mail address, telephone number, employer, address of employment, and telephone number at the place of employment;
(9) Issue a bench warrant or order of contempt for an obligor who has failed after proper notice to appear at a hearing ordered by the tribunal and enter the order of contempt and bench warrant in any local and state computer systems for criminal warrants;
(10) Order the obligor to seek appropriate employment by specified methods;
(11) Award reasonable attorney fees and other fees and costs; and
(12) Grant any other available remedy.
C. A responding tribunal of this state shall include in a support order issued under this Chapter, or in the documents accompanying the order, the calculations on which the support order is based.
D. A responding tribunal of this state may not condition the payment of a support order issued under this Chapter upon compliance by a party with provisions for visitation.
E. If a responding tribunal of this state issues an order under this Chapter, the tribunal shall send a copy of the order to the petitioner and the respondent and to the initiating tribunal, if any.
F. If requested to enforce a support order, arrears, or judgment or modify a support order stated in a foreign currency, a responding tribunal of this state shall convert the amount stated in the foreign currency to the equivalent amount in dollars under the applicable official or market exchange rate as publicly reported.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1303.6. Inappropriate tribunal

Art. 1303.6. Inappropriate tribunal
If a petition or comparable pleading is received by an inappropriate tribunal of this state, the tribunal shall forward the pleading and accompanying documents to an appropriate tribunal in this state or another state and notify the petitioner where and when the pleading was sent.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1303.7. Duties of the support enforcement agency

Art. 1303.7. Duties of the support enforcement agency
A. In a proceeding under this Chapter, a support enforcement agency of this state, upon request:
(1) Shall provide services to a petitioner residing in a state;
(2) Shall provide services to a petitioner requesting services through a central authority of a foreign country as described in Article 1301.2(5)(a) or (d); and
(3) May provide services to a petitioner who is an individual not residing in a state.
B. A support enforcement agency that is providing services to the petitioner shall:
(1) Take all steps necessary to enable an appropriate tribunal in this state, another state, or a foreign country to obtain jurisdiction over the respondent;
(2) Request an appropriate tribunal to set a date, time, and place for a hearing;
(3) Make a reasonable effort to obtain all relevant information, including information as to income and property of the parties;
(4) Within two days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receipt of notice in a record from an initiating, responding, or registering tribunal, send a copy of the notice to the petitioner;
(5) Within two days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receipt of communication in a record from the respondent or the respondent's attorney, send a copy of the communication to the petitioner; and
(6) Notify the petitioner if jurisdiction over the respondent cannot be obtained.
C. A support enforcement agency of this state that requests registration of a child support order in this state for enforcement or for modification shall make reasonable efforts:
(1) To ensure that the order to be registered is the controlling order; or
(2) If two or more child support orders exist and the identity of the controlling order has not been determined, to ensure that a request for such a determination is made in a tribunal having jurisdiction to do so.
D. A support enforcement agency of this state that requests registration and enforcement of a support order, arrears, or judgment stated in a foreign currency shall convert the amounts stated in the foreign currency into the equivalent amounts in dollars under the applicable official or market exchange rate as publicly reported.
E. A support enforcement agency of this state shall issue or request a tribunal of this state to issue a child support order and an income-withholding order that redirect payment of current support, arrears, and interest if requested to do so by a support enforcement agency of another state pursuant to Article 1303.19.
F. This Chapter does not create or negate a relationship of attorney and client or other fiduciary relationship between a support enforcement agency or the attorney for the agency and the individual being assisted by the agency.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1303.8. Duty of attorney general

Art. 1303.8. Duty of attorney general
A. If the attorney general determines that the support enforcement agency is neglecting or refusing to provide services to an individual, the attorney general may order the agency to perform its duties under this Chapter or may provide those services directly to the individual.
B. The attorney general may determine that a foreign country has established a reciprocal arrangement for child support with this state and take appropriate action for notification of the determination.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1303.10. Duties of the Department of Children and Family Services; state information agency

Art. 1303.10. Duties of the Department of Children and Family Services; state information agency
A. The Department of Children and Family Services is the state information agency under this Chapter.
B. The state information agency shall:
(1) Compile and maintain a current list, including addresses, of the tribunals in this state that have jurisdiction under this Chapter and any support enforcement agencies in this state and transmit a copy to the state information agency of every other state;
(2) Maintain a register of names and addresses of tribunals and support enforcement agencies received from other states;
(3) Forward to the appropriate tribunal in the place in this state in which the obligee who is an individual or the obligor resides, or in which the obligor's property is believed to be located, all documents concerning a proceeding under this Chapter received from another state or a foreign country; and
(4) Obtain information concerning the location of the obligor and the obligor's property within this state not exempt from execution, by such means as postal verification and federal or state locator services, examination of telephone directories, requests for the obligor's address from employers, and examination of governmental records, including, to the extent not prohibited by other law, those relating to real property, vital statistics, law enforcement, taxation, motor vehicles, drivers' licenses, and social security.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1303.11. Pleadings and accompanying documents

Art. 1303.11. Pleadings and accompanying documents
A. In a proceeding under this Chapter, a petitioner seeking to establish a support order, to determine parentage of a child, or to register and modify a support order of a tribunal of another state or a foreign country must file a petition. Unless otherwise ordered under Article 1303.12, the petition or accompanying documents must provide, so far as known, the name, residential address, and social security numbers of the obligor and the obligee or the parent and alleged parent, and the name, sex, residential address, social security number, and the date of birth of each child for whose benefit support is sought or whose parentage is to be determined. Unless filed at the time of registration, the petition must be accompanied by a copy of any support order known to have been issued by another tribunal. The petition may include any other information that may assist in locating or identifying the respondent.
B. The petition must specify the relief sought. The petition and accompanying documents must conform substantially with the requirements imposed by the forms mandated by federal law for use in cases filed by a support enforcement agency.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1303.12. Nondisclosure of information in exceptional circumstances

Art. 1303.12. Nondisclosure of information in exceptional circumstances
If a party alleges in an affidavit or a pleading under oath that the health, safety, or liberty of a party or child would be jeopardized by disclosure of specific identifying information, that information shall be sealed and shall not be disclosed to the other party or the public. After a hearing in which a tribunal takes into consideration the health, safety, or liberty of the party or child, the tribunal may order disclosure of information that the tribunal determines to be in the interest of justice.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1303.13. Costs and fees

Art. 1303.13. Costs and fees
A. The petitioner may not be required to pay a filing fee or other costs.
B. If an obligee prevails, a responding tribunal of this state may assess against an obligor filing fees, reasonable attorney's fees, other costs, and necessary travel and other reasonable expenses incurred by the obligee and the obligee's witnesses. The tribunal may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against the obligee or the support enforcement agency of either the initiating or the responding state or foreign country, except as provided by other law. Attorney's fees may be taxed as costs and may be ordered paid directly to the attorney, who may enforce the order in the attorney's own name. Payment of support owed to the obligee has priority over fees, costs, and expenses.
C. The tribunal shall order the payment of costs and reasonable attorney's fees if it determines that a hearing was requested primarily for delay. In a proceeding under Section 6, a hearing is presumed to have been requested primarily for delay if a registered support order is confirmed or enforced without change.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1303.14. Limited immunity of petitioner

Art. 1303.14. Limited immunity of petitioner
A. Participation by a petitioner in a proceeding under this Chapter before a responding tribunal, whether in person, by private attorney, or through services provided by the support enforcement agency, does not confer personal jurisdiction over the petitioner in another proceeding.
B. A petitioner is not amenable to service of civil process while physically present in this state to participate in a proceeding under this Chapter.
C. The immunity granted by this Article does not extend to civil litigation based on acts unrelated to a proceeding under this Chapter committed by a party while physically present in this state to participate in the proceeding.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1303.15. Nonparentage as defense

Art. 1303.15. Nonparentage as defense
A party whose parentage of a child has been previously determined by or pursuant to law may not plead nonparentage as a defense to a proceeding under this Chapter.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1303.16. Special rules of evidence and procedures

Art. 1303.16. Special rules of evidence and procedure
A. The physical presence of a nonresident party who is an individual in a tribunal of this state is not required for the establishment, enforcement, or modification of a support order or the rendition of a judgment determining parentage of a child.
B. An affidavit, document substantially complying with federally mandated forms, or a document incorporated by reference in any of them, which would not be excluded under the hearsay rule if given in person, is admissible in evidence if given under penalty of perjury by a party or witness residing outside this state.
C. A copy of the record of child support payments certified as a true copy of the original by the custodian of the record may be forwarded to a responding tribunal. The copy is evidence of facts asserted in it and is admissible to show whether payments were made.
D. Copies of bills for testing for parentage and for prenatal and postnatal health care of the mother and child, furnished to the adverse party at least ten days before trial, are admissible in evidence to prove the amount of the charges billed and that the charges were reasonable, necessary, and customary.
E. Documentary evidence transmitted from outside this state to a tribunal of this state by telephone, telecopier, or other electronic means that do not provide an original record may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission.
F. In a proceeding under this Chapter, a tribunal of this state shall permit a party or witness residing outside this state to be deposed or to testify under penalty of perjury by telephone, audiovisual means, or other electronic means at a designated tribunal or other location. A tribunal of this state shall cooperate with other tribunals in designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony.
G. If a party called to testify at a civil hearing refuses to answer on the ground that the testimony may be self-incriminating, the trier of fact may draw an adverse inference from the refusal.
H. A privilege against disclosure of communications between spouses does not apply in a proceeding under this Chapter.
I. The defense of immunity based on the relationship of husband and wife or parent and child does not apply in a proceeding under this Chapter.
J. A voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, certified as a true copy, is admissible to establish parentage of the child.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1303.17. Communications between tribunals

Art. 1303.17. Communications between tribunals
A tribunal of this state may communicate with a tribunal outside this state in a record or by telephone, electronic mail, or other means, to obtain information concerning the laws, the legal effect of a judgment, decree, or order of that tribunal, and the status of a proceeding. A tribunal of this state may furnish similar information by similar means to a tribunal outside this state.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1303.18. Assistance with discovery

Art. 1303.18. Assistance with discovery
A tribunal of this state may:
(1) Request a tribunal outside this state to assist in obtaining discovery; and
(2) Upon request, compel a person over whom it has jurisdiction to respond to a discovery order issued by a tribunal outside this state.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1303.19. Receipt and disbursement of payments

Art. 1303.19. Receipt and disbursement of payments
A. A support enforcement agency or tribunal of this state shall disburse promptly any amounts received pursuant to a support order, as directed by the order. The agency or tribunal shall furnish to a requesting party or tribunal of another state or a foreign country a certified statement by the custodian of the record of the amounts and dates of all payments received.
B. If neither the obligor, nor the obligee who is an individual, nor the child resides in this state, upon request from the support enforcement agency of this state or another state, the support enforcement agency of this state or a tribunal of this state shall:
(1) Direct that the support payment be made to the support enforcement agency in the state in which the obligee is receiving services; and
(2) Issue and send to the obligor's employer a conforming income-withholding order or an administrative notice of change of payee, reflecting the redirected payments.
C. The support enforcement agency of this state receiving redirected payments from another state pursuant to a law similar to Paragraph B of this Article shall furnish to a requesting party or tribunal of the other state a certified statement by the custodian of the record of the amount and dates of all payments received.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1304.1. Establishment of support order

Section 4. Establishment of Support Order or Determination of Parentage
Art. 1304.1. Establishment of support order
A. If a support order entitled to recognition under this Chapter has not been issued, a responding tribunal of this state with personal jurisdiction over the parties may issue a support order if:
(1) The individual seeking the order resides outside this state; or
(2) The support enforcement agency seeking the order is located outside this state.
B. The tribunal may issue a temporary child support order if the tribunal determines that such an order is appropriate and the individual ordered to pay is:
(1) A presumed father of the child;
(2) Petitioning to have his paternity adjudicated;
(3) Identified as the father of the child through genetic testing;
(4) An alleged father who has declined to submit to genetic testing;
(5) Shown by clear and convincing evidence to be the father of the child;
(6) An acknowledged father as provided by applicable state law;
(7) The mother of the child; or
(8) An individual who has been ordered to pay child support in a previous proceeding and the order has not been reversed or vacated.
C. Upon finding, after notice and opportunity to be heard, that an obligor owes a duty of support, the tribunal shall issue a support order directed to the obligor and may issue other orders pursuant to Article 1303.5.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1304.2. Proceeding to Determine Parentage

Art. 1304.2. Proceeding to determine parentage
A tribunal of this state authorized to determine parentage of a child may serve as a responding tribunal in a proceeding to determine parentage of a child brought under this Chapter or a law or procedure substantially similar to this Chapter.
Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1305.1. Employer's receipt of income-withholding order of another state

Section 5. Enforcement of Support Order
Without Registration
Art. 1305.1. Employer's receipt of income-withholding order of another state
An income-withholding order issued in another state may be sent by or on behalf of the obligee, or by the support enforcement agency, to the person defined as the obligor's employer under the income withholding law of this state without first filing a petition or comparable pleading or registering the order with a tribunal of this state.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1305.2. Employer's compliance with income-withholding of another state

Art. 1305.2. Employer's compliance with income-withholding of another state
A. Upon receipt of an income-withholding order, the obligor's employer shall immediately provide a copy of the order to the obligor.
B. The employer shall treat an income-withholding order issued in another state which appears regular on its face as if it had been issued by a tribunal of this state.
C. Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph D of this Article and Article 1305.3, the employer shall withhold and distribute the funds as directed in the withholding order by complying with the terms of the order, which specify:
(1) The duration and amount of periodic payments of current child support, stated as a sum certain;
(2) The person designated to receive payments and the address to which the payments are to be forwarded;
(3) Medical support, whether in the form of periodic cash payment, stated as a sum certain, or ordering the obligor to provide health insurance coverage for the child under a policy available through the obligor's employment;
(4) The amount of periodic payments of fees and costs for a support enforcement agency, the issuing tribunal, and the obligee's attorney, stated as sums certain; and
(5) The amount of periodic payments of arrearages and interest on arrearages, stated as sums certain.
D. An employer shall comply with the law of the state of the obligor's principal place of employment for withholding from income with respect to:
(1) The employer's fee for processing an income-withholding order;
(2) The maximum amount permitted to be withheld from the obligor's income; and
(3) The times within which the employer must implement the withholding order and forward the child support payment.
Acts 1995, No. 251, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1305.3. Employer's compliance with two or more income-withholding orders

Art. 1305.3. Employer's compliance with two or more income-withholding orders
If the obligor's employer receives two or more income-withholding orders with respect to the earnings of the same obligor, the employer satisfies the terms of the orders if the employer complies with the law of the state of the obligor's principal place of employment to establish the priorities for withholding and allocating income withheld for two or more child support obligees.
Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1305.4. Immunity from civil liability

Art. 1305.4. Immunity from civil liability
An employer that complies with an income-withholding order issued in another state in accordance with this Section is not subject to civil liability to an individual or agency with regard to the employer's withholding of child support from the obligor's income.
Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Children's Code › Art. 1305.5. Penalties for noncompliance

Art. 1305.5. Penalties for noncompliance
An employer that willfully fails to comply with an income-withholding order issued in another state and received for enforcement is subject to the same penalties that may be imposed for noncompliance with an order issued by a tribunal of this state.
Acts 1997, No. 1241, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 2015, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2015.