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LouisianaSB 762026 Regular SessionSenate

CHILDREN: Provides relative to the modification of child custody. (8/1/26)

Sponsored By: Gregory A. Miller (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Civil Law and ProcedureJudiciary A

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New rules for Louisiana parents changing custody

Beginning August 1, 2026, Louisiana law sets two tests for changing child custody. The stricter test applies within five years after a judgment called a considered decree. This means a final, appealable judgment based on the court’s review of evidence about parents’ fitness to care for the child. A change must be best for the child and meet one of two grounds: clear and convincing evidence that its advantages substantially outweigh its likely harm, or continuing custody is so harmful that a change is justified. After five years, and in other custody cases such as agreed custody orders, a less strict test applies. Courts need a change in circumstances that materially affects the child’s welfare, and the custody change must be best for the child. The law’s comments explain that these standards cover physical and legal custody, but not temporary orders, hearing-officer orders, or minor visitation changes.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Gregory A. Miller

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 136 • No: 0

House vote • 4/28/2026

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 93, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 93 • No: 0

House vote • 4/22/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/7/2026

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 36 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 8/1/2026.

    5/11/2026Senate

  2. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 93.

    5/11/2026Senate

  3. Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/5/2026Senate

  4. Signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/5/2026House

  5. Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate.

    5/5/2026Senate

  6. Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 93, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

    4/28/2026House

  7. Received from the House with amendments.

    4/28/2026Senate

  8. Read by title, amended, passed to 3rd reading.

    4/27/2026House

  9. Scheduled for floor debate on 04/28/2026.

    4/27/2026House

  10. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

    4/23/2026House

  11. Reported with amendments (7-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    4/22/2026House

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

    4/9/2026House

  13. Received in the House from the Senate, read by title, lies over under the rules.

    4/8/2026House

  14. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    4/7/2026Senate

  15. Read by title. Ordered engrossed and passed to third reading and final passage.

    4/1/2026Senate

  16. Rules suspended. Reported favorably.

    3/31/2026Senate

  17. Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary A.

    3/9/2026Senate

  18. Prefiled and under the rules provisionally referred to the Committee on Judiciary A.

    2/20/2026Senate

Bill Text

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