HR 360

ENROLLED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 360
BY REPRESENTATIVE EDMONSTON
  A RESOLUTION
To create the Task Force on Child Well-Being, Parental Bonds, and Family Court Fairness
       to study the administration of justice in family courts, including but not limited to
       disparities in custody outcomes.
       WHEREAS, the family court system and district courts sitting in child custody
matters play a critical role in determining custody, visitation, and parental rights, and such
determinations directly affect the safety, stability, and long-term well-being of children; and
       WHEREAS, the "best interest of the child" standard requires careful, consistent, and
evidence-based judicial decision making that preserves meaningful relationships between
children and fit parents whenever possible; and
       WHEREAS, concerns have been raised regarding disparities in custody outcomes
across similar cases within family courts, including questions of consistency and
predictability in judicial determinations; and
       WHEREAS, questions have been raised regarding due process protections afforded
to parents in family court proceedings, including the adequacy of notice and opportunity to
be heard prior to the issuance of temporary or ex parte orders affecting custody and
visitation; and
       WHEREAS, concerns have been expressed regarding the evidentiary standards
utilized in custody and visitation determinations, including the reliance on limited or
incomplete evidence in certain proceedings; and
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HR NO. 360  ENROLLED
       WHEREAS, ex parte orders issued on the basis of allegations made by one parent
against another parent have significant and immediate effects on parent-child relationships
and may remain in place for extended periods pending further proceedings, thereby denying
a child the love and affection of a parent without the normal evidentiary process that every
other court requires; and
       WHEREAS, it is in the public interest of this state to ensure that family court
proceedings are conducted in a manner that is fair, transparent, evidence based, and
consistent with constitutional protections and the best interests of children; and
       WHEREAS, a comprehensive review of these issues is necessary to evaluate whether
statutory or procedural reforms are warranted to improve fairness, consistency, due process,
and child well-being outcomes in family courts.
       THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby establish and provide for the Task Force on Child
Well-Being, Parental Bonds, and Family Court Fairness to study the administration of justice
in family courts, including disparities in custody outcomes.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in its study, the task force shall consider each
of the following:
       (1) Concerns regarding due process protections for parents.
       (2)     The adequacy of evidentiary standards used in custody and visitation
determinations, including ex parte orders issued without notice and the impact of such orders
on child well-being and parent-child bonds.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall consist of the following
members:
       (1) The state representative who represents House District No. 88.
       (2) Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the
House of Representatives.
       (3) One member who is a justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court appointed by the
Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court.
       (4) Four members who are practicing attorneys and hold the title of family law
specialist from the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization of the Louisiana State Bar
Association.
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       (5) Two members of the Louisiana Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.
       (6) One member appointed by the Department of Children and Family Services.
       (7) One member appointed by the Louisiana Family Forum.
       (8) The director of the Governor's Office on Women's Policy.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state representative who represents House
District No. 88 shall serve as chairman of the task force.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each designating authority shall submit the
names of designees to the task force to the chairman no later than August 15, 2026.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the task force shall convene for its first meeting no
later than September 15, 2026, at the call of the chairman, and the members may elect other
officers to assist the chairman as the task force may deem appropriate.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting this study, the task force shall seek
input, advice, information, and data from any persons, agencies, entities, or stakeholders it
deems necessary to fulfill the purposes of this Resolution.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the task force constitutes a quorum
for the transaction of business. All official actions of the task force require the affirmative
vote of a majority of the members.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve
without compensation, except per diem or expenses reimbursement to which they may be
individually entitled as members of their constituent organizations.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that meetings of the task force are subject to the
Open Meetings Law, R.S. 42:11 et seq., and records of the task force are subject to the
Public Records Law, R.S. 44:1 et seq.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall submit a written report of
its findings and recommendations, together with specific proposals for legislation, to the
House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana no later than February 15, 2027.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that one print copy and one electronic copy of any
report produced pursuant to this Resolution shall be submitted to the David R. Poynter
Legislative Research Library as required by R.S. 24:772.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall terminate on the date it
submits its report or February 15, 2027, whichever occurs first.
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       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Louisiana Supreme Court, the Louisiana State Bar Association, the Louisiana Family Forum,
the Louisiana Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and the Department of Children
and Family Services.
  SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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