Art. 655 Medical treatment of children; costs

If a child has a case in court and needs medical or surgical care, the judge can order the parent to get that care for the child. This can happen because the judge decides it's needed, or because someone involved in the case (the child or the person who filed the petition) asks for it.

If the parent doesn't provide the care the child needs, the judge can step in. The judge will first notify the parent, then can order the medical care to happen anyway. The judge can also make the parent pay for some or all of the cost, even if the parent didn't arrange the care themselves.

This rule basically makes sure a child gets medical care they need, even if a parent is refusing or failing to provide it. It gives the court a way to act in the child's best interest while still holding the parent financially responsible when possible.