LA HB217

Legislators and legislative employees who are parties or attorneys in court cases are entitled to automatic continuances during legislative sessions, from 21 days before through 30 days after adjournment

Motions must be filed at no cost at least 5 days before the proceeding, with a presumption the continuance will be granted within 72 hours; cases must be reset to at least 45 days after session ends

The presumption can only be overcome by clear and convincing evidence that the motion is filed for improper purposes (harassment, delay) or the opposing party would suffer substantial irreparable harm

Excludes death penalty cases, civil prescriptive periods, criminal statutes of limitations, domestic violence protective orders, child custody proceedings, and habeas corpus cases

Repeals existing R.S. 13:4163 and applies retroactively to all cases filed or pending on or after October 25, 2024