House clarifies 75-mile relocation rule in family-law measure

The Louisiana House on March 18 passed House Bill 112 to clarify how courts should measure the 75-mile threshold that triggers relocation procedures in family-law cases.

Representative Brett Baham, sponsor of HB 112, told the chamber that the 75-mile rule was intended to be an easy-to-use bright line for families but in practice has produced disputes because different driving routes between the same two points can show dramatically different mileages. "Without clear instructions on how to measure the distance between point A and point B, the dockets are full of parents fighting over which driving route is realistic," Baham said on the floor.

The sponsor used a real-world example to illustrate the issue: a job in Opelousas measured as 76 miles from the Capitol via Interstate 10, but only 60 miles via an older highway — a difference that can force otherwise similar family decisions into litigation. HB 112 rephrases the statute to specify the measurement method (text of the statutory change appears in the enrolled bill) so that families and judges have consistent guidance.

Members adopted the bill on final passage by a vote of 95–0. The House recorded 18 co-authors during the co-author roll call. Representative Baham framed the amendment as a clarity measure intended to spare families attorney costs and court disputes; no floor amendments altering scope were offered.

The House sent the bill on to the next procedural step; implementation will be visible in family-law dockets as judges apply the clarified measurement standard.