SB 188 Louisiana Senate · 2024 Regular Session

FAMILY LAW: Provides for the Uniform Collaborative Family Law Act. (8/1/24)

This bill establishes the Uniform Collaborative Family Law Act in Louisiana to create a voluntary, contract-based process for resolving family disputes outside of court. It directly affects individuals involved in matters such as divorce, child custody, and support who choose to work with specially trained collaborative lawyers instead of traditional litigation. The key provisions require parties to sign an agreement committing to a process where their lawyers cannot represent them in court if negotiations fail, while also defining specific rules for confidentiality and the scope of issues that can be addressed. By prioritizing out-of-court settlements, the legislation aims to encourage peaceful resolutions and reduce the need for judicial intervention in family law cases.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2024
Committee Review
Apr 2024
Senate Passage
Apr 2024
House Passage
May 2024
Signed into Law
May 2024
Introduced Feb 29, 2024 Signed May 21, 2024
Floor votes · Senate Apr 2, 2024 · House May 14, 2024

How they voted

310
Passed · 7 other
Total votes 38
Apr 2, 2024
D Democratic12
9 Yea 3
75% Yea
R Republican26
22 Yea 4
84% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Amendments
1
May 14, 2024
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 96, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
lower
Apr 24, 2024
Introduced
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
lower
Apr 23, 2024
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (8-0-1). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
lower
Apr 3, 2024
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.
lower
Apr 2, 2024
Upper · Passed
Read by title, passed by a vote of 31 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
Mar 26, 2024
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably.
upper
Mar 11, 2024
Committee
Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary A.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of J.P. Coussan
J.P. Coussan
RRepublican
LA
23