HB1239 • 2026

CHILDREN/CUSTODY: Provides relative to child custody

Children

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Kyle M. Green , Jr.
Last action: 2026-05-20
Official status: Sent to Governor
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide detailed information on how the law will be applied in different situations.

Child Custody Law

This bill amends Louisiana's child custody laws to require equal physical custody of children unless it is not feasible or in the best interest of the child.

What This Bill Does

Amends a part of Louisiana law about how courts decide on child custody.
Requires that children should spend equal time with both parents, unless this isn't possible or good for the child.

Who It Names or Affects

Children involved in custody cases
Parents who are getting divorced or separated

Terms To Know

Equal physical custody: Both parents have equal time with the child, unless it's not possible or good for the child.
Best interest of the child: What is most beneficial and healthy for a child in terms of their well-being and development.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if equal custody is not possible.
It's unclear how this law will be applied in different situations.

Bill History

2026-05-20 H
Sent to the Governor for executive approval.
2026-05-19 S
Signed by the President of the Senate.
2026-05-19 H
Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
2026-05-19 H
Received from the Senate without amendments.
2026-05-18 S
Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
2026-05-07 S
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.
2026-05-06 S
Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
2026-05-05 S
Rules suspended. Reported favorably.
2026-04-22 S
Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary A.
2026-04-21 S
Received in the Senate. Rules suspended. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.
2026-04-21 H
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 101, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
2026-04-20 H
Scheduled for floor debate on 04/21/2026.
2026-04-15 H
Read by title, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.
2026-04-14 H
Read by title, substitute title adopted, lies over in the same order of business, substitute for HB No. 473 reported by the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure (6-0-1).

Official Summary Text

CHILDREN/CUSTODY: Provides relative to child custody

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

ENROLLED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 1239 (Substitute for House Bill No. 473 by Representative Green)
BY REPRESENTATIVE GREEN AND SENATORS BARROW, BOUDREAUX,
CARTER, JACKSON-ANDREWS, JENKINS, AND PRICE
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 9:335(A)(2)(b), relative to child custody; to provide relative to
3 the best interest of a child; to provide relative to equal custody; and to provide for
4 related matters.
5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 9:335(A)(2)(b) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
7 §335. Joint custody decree and implementation order; custody during an emergency
8 or disaster
9 A.
10 * * *
11 (2)
12 * * *
13 (b) Unless the court determines To the extent it is not feasible and or in the
14 best interest of the child, physical custody of the children should child shall be
15 shared equally.
16 * * *
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
Page 1 of 1
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.