A.  The court shall review, before docketing if feasible or, in any event, before service on the defendants, a petition in a civil action in which a prisoner seeks redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity.  On review, the court shall identify cognizable claims or dismiss the petition, or any portion of the petition, if the petition is frivolous, is malicious, fails to state a cause of action, seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief, or fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.

B.  A court shall not authorize or permit service of a prisoner suit until compliance with both of the following:

(1)  The screening required in Subsection A of this Section has been completed.

(2)  The provisions of La. Rev. Stat. 15:1186(A)(1) and (2) have been satisfied, if the plaintiff is proceeding in forma pauperis.

C.  The clerk shall not have a prisoner suit served until specifically ordered to do so by the court as provided in  Subsection B of this Section, and then the suit shall be served only upon those defendants specifically ordered by the court to be served.

Acts 1997, No. 731, §1, eff. July 9, 1997; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 110, §1, eff. May 5, 1998; Acts 2001, No. 801, §1, eff. June 26, 2001.