Louisiana enacts shared parenting reform in House Bill 1239

National Parents Organization is applauding Louisiana’s enactment of House Bill 1239, a new custody law that creates a presumption of substantial, roughly equal time with both parents after separation or divorce. The group says the reform could reduce conflict and better support children’s long-term well-being while preserving court discretion in abuse or neglect cases. Why it matters: - Louisiana’s new custody law shifts the starting point in family court toward shared parenting, which could affect how judges approach separation and divorce cases statewide. - The reform is intended to keep both parents involved in children’s lives and support stronger family relationships after a breakup. - National Parents Organization says the change aligns custody policy with research linking active involvement from both parents to better emotional, educational and overall outcomes for children. What happened: - Louisiana enacted House Bill 1239, and National Parents Organization welcomed the law’s passage. - The law creates a presumption that children benefit from spending substantial and roughly equal time with each parent unless specific circumstances show a different arrangement is better for the child. - Don Hubin, chair of National Parents Organization, praised the legislation as a step toward family court policy that reflects decades of research and family experience. - National Parents Organization also congratulated Rep. Kyle M. Green for leading the effort to pass HB 1239. - The group thanked Reps. Regina Tempore and Sam Jenkins, plus Sens. Gerald Boudreaux, Gary Carter, Katrina Jackson-Andrews and Edward “Ed” Price for supporting the legislation. The details: - HB 1239 is described as the seventh shared parenting law passed in the last eight years. - The law makes shared parenting the starting point for custody determinations. - Courts keep full discretion to depart from the presumption when evidence shows a different arrangement is needed to protect a child’s welfare. - Cases involving abuse, neglect, domestic violence or other serious concerns still receive individualized judicial review. - The reform is expected to reduce conflict, promote parental engagement and preserve family relationships during a difficult transition. - National Parents Organization said many custody disputes have historically centered parenting responsibilities with one parent. - Family researchers have increasingly found that children generally do best when both parents remain active after a separation. Between the lines: - The law reflects a broader push to replace winner-take-all custody battles with a framework that starts from both parents’ involvement. - That approach could change negotiation dynamics in family court by encouraging cooperation before disputes harden around custody labels. - The group’s framing suggests the reform is meant to be both child-centered and evidence-based, while still preserving protections for high-risk cases. What’s next: - Louisiana courts will apply the new presumption in future custody cases unless the facts justify a different arrangement. - National Parents Organization said it expects the law to have a positive impact on Louisiana families over time. - The enactment adds momentum to the national shared parenting movement and may influence similar policy debates in other states. The bottom line: - Louisiana has joined a growing number of states moving custody policy toward shared parenting as the default, with child safety exceptions still in place.