Louisiana Children’s Code 441 – Confidentiality
Terms Used In Louisiana Children's Code 441
- Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
- Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
- Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
- Testify: Answer questions in court.
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
A. All oral and written communications and records made during the mediation of a juvenile proceeding are not subject to disclosure and may not be used as evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding unless:
(1) The communication or record presented in the course of mediation is otherwise subject or is otherwise admissible if based on proof independent of the mediation.
(2) All parties and the mediator specifically agree in writing to waive confidentiality.
(3) Whenever the mediator has cause to believe that a child’s physical or mental health or welfare is endangered by abuse or neglect, he shall report and refer the charges to the local child protection unit of the Department of Children and Family Services in accordance with Article 610.
(4) Disclosure is permitted by Paragraph B of this Article.
B. The mediator, parties, counsel, and other participants shall not be required to testify or otherwise make disclosure through discovery and are not subject to subpoena except:
(1) The mediator may report to the court whether the parties appeared as ordered, whether mediation took place, and whether a settlement resulted.
(2) The mediator may maintain records of mediation cases and may use data for research, training, or statistical reports to the court, provided all individual identifying information about the clients is removed.
(3) The court may compel testimony or documents in a contempt proceeding alleging that a party failed to comply with a court order referring the case for mediation; however, the disclosure of any communications and records made during the course of the mediation shall be strictly limited to the issue of noncompliance with the court’s order.
(4) A court or administrative tribunal may compel testimony in a proceeding concerning the professional competence or ethics of the mediator or otherwise if necessary to prevent fraud or manifest injustice.
C. In any judicial or administrative proceeding in which disclosure is sought, the court shall determine in camera whether the facts, circumstances, and context of the communications or records warrant a breach of confidentiality in accordance with this Article.
D. The confidentiality protections of this Article are in addition to other provisions governing the confidentiality of juvenile court proceedings contained in this Code.
Acts 1999, No. 894, §1.