Senate unanimously approves online portal for domestic‑abuse protective orders

The Louisiana Senate approved Senate Bill 2‑59 on the floor, authorizing a statewide online portal to prepare and file civil protective orders for survivors of domestic abuse.

Sponsor Senator Barrow said the portal is intended to give survivors "another way" to file for protection in settings where they feel safer and to transmit petitions to the appropriate court with jurisdiction. He noted a recent Supreme Court grant provided funding to support online civil protective‑order systems.

Senator Jay Miller offered an amendment to tighten the signature and verification process, asking that the online filing include an affirmation made under penalty of perjury and an electronically signed witness affirmation; the amendment was adopted without objection. Barrow said the change preserves necessary safeguards while improving access for victims.

The Senate recorded a roll‑call tally of 38 yeas and 0 nays on final passage. The bill will create an additional means for survivors to seek civil protective orders and will route filings to the correct court based on jurisdiction and venue.