Louisiana Children's Code Tit. X, Art. 1016. Right to counsel

A. (1) The child and each identified parent shall have the right to be represented by separate counsel in a termination proceeding brought in accordance with this Title. The child shall be a party to the proceedings. Neither the child nor anyone purporting to act on behalf of the child shall be permitted to waive the child's right to counsel.

(2) In no event shall the petitioner of an action pursuant to Article 1015.1 or the child be required to interact with the respondent as a condition to pursue termination in accordance with this Article. Any counsel acting on behalf of the child shall not require a petitioner to make the child available for any visitation or conversation with the respondent or the respondent's family and shall not require any nonoffending petitioner to take classes or provide updates on the child. A petitioner shall have the right to seek an emergency supervisory writ for any violation of this Article.