HB 366 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

DOMESTIC ABUSE: Provides relative to continuance of hearings in domestic abuse matters

HB 366 limits court delays in domestic abuse cases by restricting the maximum continuance (postponement) of temporary restraining order hearings to 15 days, unless "good cause" is shown for an extension. This directly affects domestic abuse victims seeking immediate protection through temporary restraining orders. The bill amends Louisiana law to require courts to justify longer delays, preventing indefinite postponements. It focuses on streamlining the process for victims to secure safety orders without unnecessary delays.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 24, 2026 Last action Apr 27, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB366 Original → HB366 Engrossed · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill tightens rules for continuing temporary restraining orders by limiting them to a single 15-day period and removing the option to extend them based on 'good cause.' It adds a specific exception allowing a reset within 21 days only if the defendant has not been served and fails to appear. This change aims to prevent prolonged delays in abuse cases while ensuring defendants receive proper notice before hearings.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains domestic violence protection orders, but the applicability of continuance rules has been narrowed to strictly limit the duration of restraining orders.

TIMELINE

Changed the maximum duration for continuing a temporary restraining order from an indefinite period based on 'good cause' to a strict limit of one 15-day period.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement that if a defendant has not been served and fails to appear, the hearing may be continued and reset within 21 days from the date of service.

Added a requirement that any existing order or extension must remain in effect until the hearing is held.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (7-0).

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

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

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Committee

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

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors