House Bill No. [insert bill number] introduces new provisions for legislative continuances and extensions of time for legislators and legislative employees in Louisiana by enacting R.S. 13:4163.1. This bill allows legislators and their staff to file for continuances in court or administrative proceedings when their presence is required during legislative sessions or constitutional conventions. The motions can be filed electronically at no cost, must be submitted at least five days before the relevant proceeding, and are presumed to be granted within 72 hours unless there is clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. The bill also requires an affidavit from the presiding officer or clerk of the respective house to support the request for a continuance.

In addition to establishing these new provisions, the bill repeals R.S. 13:4163 entirely, streamlining the process for legislative continuances. It outlines specific exclusions for certain legal proceedings, such as civil prescriptive periods and cases involving domestic violence or child custody. The law mandates that courts provide written reasons for denying a motion for legislative continuance and allows for supervisory writs to be filed at no cost if motions are denied or not acted upon within the specified timeframe. The provisions of this bill will apply to actions filed or pending after October 25, 2024, and will take effect upon the governor's signature or the lapse of time for gubernatorial action.

Statutes affected:
HB217 Original: