§2143. Use of electronic monitoring of offenders; pilot program

A. When a court issues any peace bond, temporary restraining order, protective order, preliminary injunction, permanent injunction or court-approved consent agreements pursuant to R.S. 46:2131 et seq., R.S. 9:361 et seq., R.S. 9:372 et seq., Children's Code Article 1564 et seq., Code of Civil Procedure Article 3604, or as part of the disposition, sentence, or bail condition of a criminal matter pursuant to Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 327.1 or 871.1 for the purpose of preventing acts of domestic violence, the court may also order the domestic violence offender to participate in an electronic monitoring program. However, the use of electronic monitoring equipment shall be used only if the domestic abuse victim has consented to its use.

B. The court shall specify the terms of the electronic monitoring program, which shall include but is not limited to the following requirements:

(1) The device shall alert the domestic violence victim and the appropriate law enforcement agency when the domestic violence offender is within a certain distance of the protected person or protected premises, as ordered by the court. The court issuing the order shall be notified of the violation of the order by the local law enforcement agency within twenty-four hours.

(2) The device shall be worn at all times by the domestic violence offender.

(3) Equipment shall be installed or placed in the home of the offender to monitor the compliance of the offender.

(4) The offender shall be placed under the supervision of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, or the court in misdemeanor cases, for the purposes of monitoring.

C. The cost of electronic monitoring shall be paid by the domestic violence offender.

D.(1)(a) Any court in the parishes of East Baton Rouge and Lafourche which has jurisdiction over the matters provided for in Subsection A of this Section shall be authorized to implement the provisions of this Section. No other court may do so, except as provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection.

(b)(i) Any court which exercises this authority shall maintain a record of the use of electronic monitoring devices, their effectiveness, any added costs that result, and any other information relevant to providing a basis for a determination of the value of the use of such devices and whether the authority to use such devices should be expanded to all courts with jurisdiction over the matters provided for in Subsection A of this Section.

(ii) All records required in Item (i) of this Subparagraph shall be submitted to the Judicial Council in a manner and at a time required by the council. The Judicial Council shall review all such records and study any recommendation submitted by the courts with the records and determine whether the authority to use such devices should be expanded to all courts with relevant jurisdiction for use in appropriate matters.

(2) At the conclusion of such study and upon a determination that the authority should be expanded, the pilot continued, or the authority revoked and the use discontinued, the Judicial Council shall advise all relevant courts. This determination shall provide the authority for the use or discontinuation of the use of such devices until the Judicial Council determines otherwise.

Acts 2003, No. 1024, §2.