Art. 623. Notice; presence at hearing; right to be heard

            A.(1) The department shall give notice of any order regarding the child issued in accordance with Article 619(C) or 620 to the child's parents; the district defender or other entity designated for the jurisdiction by the Indigent Parents' Representation Program for representing parents; the entity designated for the jurisdiction by the Louisiana Supreme Court to provide qualified, independent counsel for the child; and other parties.

            (2) The department shall also give written notice regarding any child in foster care to any foster caregiver, pre-adoptive parent, and relative providing care.

            (3) The department shall notify the court of each party's address and shall have a continuing duty to provide current information to the court about each party's whereabouts.

            B.(1) The notice shall state the date, time, and place of any scheduled hearing and inform the recipient of the right to attend and be heard.

            (2) The notice to the district defender and the entity designated for the jurisdiction by the Louisiana Supreme Court to provide qualified, independent counsel for the child shall also include a copy of the verified complaint, the affidavit required in Article 620(B), and any order issued by the court.

            C. A child twelve years of age or older shall be present in court unless his presence is waived by the court upon motion of the child's counsel. A child below the age of twelve years shall be present in court upon the request of counsel for the child or the court. If the child is present in court, he may choose to testify as to his wishes, and the court shall consider his testimony in the matter. Any testimony given by a child may be taken by a videotaped interview or by closed-circuit television, as authorized by Chapter 8 of Title III of this Code, or by an in-chambers conference attended only by the judge and court reporter and by counsel for the child, for the petitioner, and for the parents.

            D. If a foster caregiver, pre-adoptive parent, or relative providing care for the child fails to appear at a hearing, the department shall report to the court whether notice was given or, if not, what diligent efforts were made to locate and notify the absent person. The court may permit the hearing to be held in the person's absence.

            E.(1) The court shall provide any foster caregiver, pre-adoptive parent, or relative providing care for the child who appears at the hearing a reasonable opportunity to be heard regarding the care and treatment of the child and may receive evidence from each person. The court shall consider this information in conjunction with all other admissible evidence.

            (2) The information provided by the foster parent, pre-adoptive parent, or relative shall be limited to personal knowledge, defined as firsthand observations of the daily care, functioning, development, behavior, activities, health, education, and interactions of the child, including visitation, communication with parents as it relates to the child, sibling relationships, and any needs for services or support in the home of the caregiver.

            Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2007, No. 334, §1; Acts 2012, No. 730, §1; Acts 2022, No. 272, §1; Acts 2026, No. 139, §1; Acts 2026, No. 758, §1.