SB 259 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Authorizes the creation of a civil protective order online application portal. (8/1/26)

SB 259 creates a statewide online portal in Louisiana for filing civil protective orders in domestic violence cases. It allows victims to submit petitions electronically without needing to provide an "affirmation" (a sworn statement), simplifying the process. The portal will be developed by the judicial administrator's office and directly affects individuals seeking protection from domestic abuse. This change streamlines access to legal protection while maintaining the existing legal framework for protective orders.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Signed Jun 1, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB259 Original → SB259 Act · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the Louisiana Protective Order Registry by authorizing the creation of a statewide online portal for filing protective orders. It removes the requirement for petitioners using this new online system to sign an affirmation before a witness, streamlining the process for victims seeking protection. The changes apply to all protective orders filed through the new portal, effective August 1, 2026.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the protective order system by adding a specific online filing mechanism, while simultaneously creating an exemption from the witness-attestation requirement for filings made through that portal.

REQUIREMENT

Added authority for the judicial administrator's office to develop and implement a statewide online portal for filing protective order petitions.

Removed the requirement that petitions filed through the online portal must include an affirmation signed and dated before a witness.

Modified the statutory language to require an electronic affirmation signed by the petitioner under penalty of perjury for online filings, replacing the previous witness-based requirement.

TIMELINE

Established an effective date of August 1, 2026, for the new online portal and related procedural changes.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 28, 2026 · House May 27, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 40

Apr 28, 2026

D Democratic12

11 Yea 1

91% Yea

R Republican28

28 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 93, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 25, 2026

Introduced

Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

May 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (11-1-1). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

May 5, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

lower

Apr 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 38 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 14, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments.

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary B.

upper

1 primary · 12 co-sponsors