HB 112 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

CHILDREN/CUSTODY: Specifies how miles are measured for the purpose of relocation of a child

HB 112 clarifies how distance is calculated when a parent seeks to relocate a child more than 75 miles from the other parent's residence under Louisiana custody law. It specifies that miles must be measured by the shortest distance on navigable roads between the child's current principal residence and the proposed new location. This applies to custody cases involving relocation within Louisiana, excluding situations where parents have a written agreement or a protective order (like a domestic violence restraining order) is in place. The bill directly affects parents seeking to move with their child and courts reviewing such requests, effective January 1, 2027.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 10, 2026 Signed May 22, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB112 Original → HB112 Act 287 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the rules for measuring relocation distances in child custody cases and clarifies when these rules do not apply. It changes the measurement method from 'navigable roads' to 'shortest publicly accessible distance by motor vehicle or ferry' and adds specific exceptions for cases involving protective orders or existing agreements. The law also sets a new effective date of January 1, 2027, and clarifies that it applies to future relocations even if the current case is still pending.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope by adding new exceptions where relocation rules are waived (e.g., when protective orders exist or parties have an agreement) and broadens the definition of how distance is calculated to include public ferries.

DEFINITION

Changed the method for measuring relocation distance from 'navigable roads' to the 'shortest publicly accessible distance by motor vehicle or public ferry.'

REQUIREMENT

Added specific circumstances where the relocation rules do not apply, including cases with existing protective orders or written agreements between parties.

TIMELINE

Established a new effective date of January 1, 2027, for the provisions of this Act.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that the Act applies to any subsequent relocation after a pending case is finally resolved, even if the original case was pending on the effective date.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill's title page to reflect the new sponsors and enrolled status as Act No. 287.

Floor votes · Senate May 11, 2026 · House Mar 18, 2026

How they voted

36–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 40

May 11, 2026

D Democratic12

9 Yea 3

75% Yea

R Republican28

27 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read by title, roll called, yeas 97, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.

lower

May 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 29, 2026

Committee

Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

Apr 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably.

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 95, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (8-0).

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Committee

Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.

lower

1 primary · 17 co-sponsors