DOMESTIC ABUSE: Directs the Louisiana State Law Institute to study mandatory issuance of protective orders

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chuck Owen

Louisiana State Law Institute will study whether and how to mandate protective orders at arrest for domestic abuse, reporting findings by Jan 2027.

Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.

Summary of HR 73 (2026 Regular Session, Louisiana)

Purpose and intent

Directs the Louisiana State Law Institute to study the procedure of issuing mandatory protective orders upon arrest for domestic abuse.

Requires the Institute to report its findings to the Louisiana House of Representatives no later than January 4, 2027.

Key provisions and changes

The resolution authorizes and directs the Louisiana State Law Institute to examine whether protective orders should be mandatorily issued when a person is arrested for domestic abuse.

The study would examine the procedures for issuing such orders and assess potential improvements or changes to current practice.

The Institute must prepare and submit a report detailing its findings, conclusions, and any recommended legislative or administrative actions.

Affected parties and impacts

Domestic abuse victims: The potential expansion or reform of protective order issuance could increase protections immediately after arrest, depending on study findings.

Persons arrested for domestic abuse: Any proposed shift toward mandatory protective orders would affect due process considerations and the timelines for safety orders.

Louisiana judiciary and law enforcement: Procedures and implementation would be influenced by any recommendations that emerge from the study.

Legislative process: Sets a clear reporting deadline and requires dissemination of the study both in print and electronically to the Legislative Research Library.

Procedural and timeline details

Reporting deadline: No later than January 4, 2027.

Deliverables: One printed copy and one electronic copy of the study report to the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library (per R.S. 24:772) and to the director of the Louisiana State Law Institute.

Status: Reported favorably by committee (10-0) in May 2026; previously read by title and laid over under the rules in March 2026.

Contextual notes

The resolution references existing standards for interim protective orders and temporary restraining orders (e.g., R.S. 46:2131 et seq.) and notes that some jurisdictions (e.g., Colorado) require mandatory protective orders upon certain domestic violence charges.

The measure does not itself create mandatory protective orders; it initiates a formal study to determine if such a policy should be adopted and how it might be implemented.

Overall takeaway

HR 73 is a procedural resolution that delegates a fact-finding mission to the Louisiana State Law Institute to assess the viability, design, and implications of mandating protective orders at the time of arrest for domestic abuse, with a detailed report due by early 2027.