Abstract: Clarifies interruptions of continuous service for the determination of city court chief
judge.
Present law provides that the chief judge of a city court with two divisions shall be selected based
upon his amount of years in continuous service if not selected by agreement.
Proposed law further delineates continuous service based on years of service as a judge in any court,
years as a licensed attorney, and years of age.
Proposed law specifies retroactive interruptions of continuous service which include the following:
(1) The removal or suspension without pay for 30 days or more of a judge by the Louisiana
Supreme Court or resignation of a judge.
(2) The non-reelection of a judge for a subsequent term of office.
(3) The taking of a leave of absence by a judge for 30 days or more within any 12 month period
of time without the agreement of the judges.
Proposed law provides that if a judge is reinstated, reelected, or returns to work from a leave of
absence of 30 days or more, continuous service shall commence anew.
Proposed law provides that a leave of absence by a judge for less than 30 days shall not be an
interruption of continuous service, but the number of days on leave of absence shall not be credited
towards a judge's amount of years in continuous service.
(Amends R.S. 13:1878(B); Adds R.S. 13:1878(C), (D), and (E))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Judiciary to the original bill:
1. Authorize the selection of the chief judge by agreement of the judges at any time.
2. Allow the interruption of continuous service to be retroactive.
3. Provide for the suspension without pay for 30 days or more as an element of interruption
of continuous service.


Statutes affected:
HB195 Original: 13:1878(B)
HB195 Engrossed: 13:1878(B)