House Bill No. by Representative Lafleur amends the powers and duties of court commissioners in the 19th Judicial District Court (JDC) of Louisiana. The bill clarifies that commissioners will perform their assigned duties only when necessary, particularly in civil, criminal, or domestic violence matters. It allows commissioners to hear and dispose of preliminary motions prior to filing charges and to issue protective orders if required by statute or as a condition of bail. Additionally, the bill specifies that commissioners may hold hearings at state prison facilities for matters involving incarcerated individuals.

The bill also repeals certain existing powers of the commissioners, specifically the authority to review and act on petitions for protective orders and to make recommendations for the issuance of preliminary or permanent injunctions. This change streamlines the responsibilities of the commissioners, ensuring that their actions are limited to specific circumstances as outlined in the new legal language. Overall, the bill aims to refine the operational framework of the court commissioners while maintaining essential judicial functions.

Statutes affected:
HB409 Original: 13:713(A), 13:713(B)(2)