State Rep. Kathy Edmonston’s House Bill 278, which calls for livestreaming East Baton Rouge Family Court proceedings, is one of three equally bad bills she filed this session, which victims’ advocates have entitled “The Domestic Abusers’ Assistance Act.”

A study by the Louisiana Supreme Court at the request of legislators found zero corruption in East Baton Rouge Family Court, so this bill, which singles out the court and exempts “Divorce Court TV” in family court proceedings in other state courts, is nonsensical.

Does Edmonston really believe that litigants want to have their reasons for fault-based divorce actions watched by the public? Or nasty child custody battles available for use by school bullies against humiliated children? Doesn’t everyone want the intricacies of their employment positions and financial situations broadcast for all to see in child support and spousal support hearings? And who doesn’t want their assets and liabilities in a community property partition made known to extended family and friends “on the spot?”

Keep in mind that Louisiana does not even allow jury trials in family court matters and that this family court, like domestic divisions of other courts, hears petitions for protection from abuse — for family violence, physical violence, sexual abuse, etc. Should victims of abuse and sexual assault have their testimony live-streamed? How many victims are going to want to come to a court to talk about experiencing battery and rape? The chilling effect could not be more obvious unless you co-sponsored HB278.

The newspaper needs to investigate and report the true motives behind this bill.

KIM SPORT

former chair, Louisiana Commission to Prevent Domestic Violence