2018 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 46 - Public Welfare and Assistance
RS 46:1861 - Family justice centers

§1861. Family justice centers

            A.(1) A family justice center may be established in any judicial district to provide support, services, and assistance to victims of the following types of offenses:

            (a) Domestic abuse as defined by R.S. 46:2132(3) and dating violence as defined in R.S. 46:2151(C).

            (b) Sexual assault which includes the commission of or the attempt to commit any offense listed in R.S. 15:541(24).

            (c) Abuse of a person protected by the Adult Protective Services Act pursuant to R.S. 15:1501 et seq.

            (d) Stalking including any action prohibited by R.S. 14:40.2 and 40.3.

            (e) Cyberbullying as defined by R.S. 14:40.7.

            (f) Human trafficking as defined by R.S. 14:46.2 and trafficking of children for sexual purposes as defined by R.S. 14:46.3.

            (2) A family justice center may be established in one judicial district to serve those victims listed in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection from one or more geographically contiguous judicial districts.

            B.(1) Each family justice center established pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter is authorized to consult with, contract with, work with, or be staffed, on a full- or part-time basis, by personnel from any of the following public, private, or nonprofit entities providing services within any of the judicial districts served by and participating in the family justice center:

            (a) Federal or state law enforcement agencies.

            (b) Health care provider as defined by R.S. 40:1237.1 or 1231.1.

            (c) Office of a district attorney or city prosecutor.

            (d) Any agency or entity providing victim advocacy services.

            (e) Community shelter for crime victims.

            (f) Social service agency.

            (g) Child welfare agency.

            (h) Civil legal service providers.

            (2) The list of entities provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection is not exclusive and each family justice center is authorized to consult with, contract with, work with, or be staffed by personnel from any other public, private, or nonprofit entity not specifically provided for in this Chapter that is necessary for providing services and assistance consistent with the purposes of this Chapter.

            (3) Any person described in the provisions of this Subsection who is providing services to a family justice center shall comply with all laws, rules, or regulations governing their respective professions.

            C. Each family justice center shall:

            (1) Establish procedures for the ongoing input, feedback, and evaluation of the operations of the family justice center by survivors of violence and abuse and community-based crime victims service providers and advocates.

            (2) Develop policies and procedures to ensure coordinated services are provided to victims and to enhance the safety of victims and personnel at the family justice center.

            (3) Maintain a formal process for receiving feedback, complaints, and input from those persons receiving services at the family justice center and for addressing any concerns about services provided or the operations of any family justice center.

            D. No family justice center shall:

            (1) Deny services to any victim on the grounds of the victim's criminal history.

            (2) Request the criminal history of a victim without the victim's written consent unless pursuant to a criminal investigation.

            (3) Require a victim to participate in the criminal justice system or cooperate with law enforcement in order to receive counseling, medical care, or any other services at a family justice center.

            (4) Require a victim to sign a consent form to share information in order to access services at the family justice center.

            Acts 2015, No. 327, §1.