Art. 1563.  Declaratory judgment; appeal

A.  An action seeking a declaratory judgment may be brought by any parent, guardian, physician, or hospital in the juvenile court in the parish in which the child is present or is domiciled for the purposes of resolving any issue arising out of a dispute whether certain medical care or treatment should be extended in accordance with this Chapter.

B.  An attorney shall be appointed to represent the child in all trial and appellate proceedings.

C.  This proceeding shall be heard in chambers, confidentially and within forty-eight hours of the filing thereof.

D.  Before entering any judgment approving the refusal or discontinuance of any medical or surgical care for a child, the court must find by clear and convincing evidence that the requirements of Article 1554 have been met.

E.  Any appeal or application for writs to review the juvenile court's judgment in any appellate court shall be heard in chambers, confidentially and within forty-eight hours of the filing thereof.

F.  Nothing in this Article shall be construed to require any court proceeding when a declaration authorized by Article 1557 has been executed or when the parent and the child's physician agree concerning the child's care, consistent with the requirements of this Chapter.

Acts 1991, No. 235, §15, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.