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Bill

HB 231

DOMESTIC ABUSE: Adds intentional evasion of service of process for certain court orders as conduct that constitutes a violation of a protective order

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chad Boyer

Louisiana bill criminalizes intentionally avoiding service of legal process for specified court orders, shifting enforcement from civil to criminal penalties.

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 231

Legislative bill overview

HB 231 creates a new criminal offense in Louisiana for intentionally evading service of process when someone is being served with certain types of court orders. The bill establishes criminal penalties for individuals who deliberately avoid being served legal documents, particularly those related to protective orders, restraining orders, or similar court directives.

Why is this important

Currently, failure to accept service of process is typically handled through civil procedures, not criminal ones. Criminalizing evasion could provide law enforcement with additional tools to ensure people comply with court orders, particularly in domestic violence or restraining order cases where avoidance might indicate intent to ignore court-mandated protections. However, this represents a significant expansion of criminal liability for conduct that has traditionally been a civil matter.

Potential points of contention

  • Due process concerns: Creating criminal liability for evading service raises questions about fair notice and whether someone can be punished criminally before they've been officially informed of court proceedings
  • Enforcement challenges: Distinguishing between innocent unavailability and intentional evasion could be difficult, potentially leading to inconsistent or discriminatory enforcement
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's reference to "certain court orders" requires clarification—which orders trigger criminal liability, and how broadly will prosecutors interpret this authority?

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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