Art. 622. Placement pending a continued custody hearing

            A. Prior to the continued custody hearing required in Article 624, a suitable relative or other suitable individual may intervene or seek and obtain an ex parte court order to take provisional custody of the child pending the continued custody hearing. The provisions of Code of Civil Procedure Article 3945 are inapplicable to an ex parte order rendered pursuant to this Paragraph.

            B. Unless the best interest of the child requires a different placement, a child who appears to be a child in need of care and whose immediate removal is necessary shall be placed, pending a continued custody hearing, in accordance with the following priorities of placement:

            (1) In the home of a suitable relative who is of the age of majority and with whom the child has been living in a stable and safe environment if the relative is willing and able to continue to offer such environment for the child pending an adjudication hearing and if the relative agrees to the safety plan.

            (2) In the home of a suitable relative who is of the age of majority if the relative is willing and able to offer a stable and safe environment for the child pending an adjudication hearing and if the relative agrees to the safety plan.

            (3) In the home of a suitable individual who is of the age of majority if the individual is willing and able to offer a stable and safe environment for the child pending an adjudication hearing and if the individual agrees to the safety plan.

            (4) In foster care under the supervision of the department until further orders of the court.

            (5) In a shelter care facility if the child, who is not in the custody of the department, has been the victim of human trafficking as provided for in R.S. 14:46.2 or trafficking of children for sexual purposes as provided for in R.S. 14:46.3.

            Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 1997, No. 1152, §1; Acts 1999, No. 754, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1317, §2; Acts 2005, No. 148, §1; Acts 2006, No. 278, §1; Acts 2017, No. 376, §1; Acts 2022, No. 272, §1; Acts 2023, No. 226, §1.