Bill > HB217

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for legislative continuances and time extensions for Louisiana legislators and specific legislative employees during legislative sessions or constitutional conventions. The legislation allows legislators and key legislative employees (including House and Senate clerks and full-time legislative bureau employees) to obtain automatic continuances for court or administrative proceedings by filing a motion up to 21 days before a legislative session and within 30 days after its adjournment. Motions must be filed at least five days prior to the proceeding, accompanied by an affidavit explaining the legislative activity, and can be submitted electronically. The bill creates a presumption that such continuance motions will be granted for at least 45 days, with only limited exceptions where an opposing party can demonstrate clear and convincing evidence of improper purpose or substantial immediate irreparable harm. The bill provides specific procedural protections, including the right to appeal continuance denials directly to the state Supreme Court at no cost, and establishes that continuances cannot be used in certain sensitive legal proceedings such as domestic violence cases, child custody matters, or criminal proceedings seeking the death penalty. The legislation repeals a previous statute and will apply both prospectively and retroactively to actions filed on or after October 25, 2024.

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https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=25rs&b=HB217&sbi=y