A. The legislature finds that the COVID-19 public health emergency created a statewide emergency disrupting and forcing the closure of certain courts and public offices and further resulting in the displacement of courts, offices, clients, and counsel. This Part is enacted for the benefit and protection of the state as a whole and its citizens, and to prevent injustice, inequity, and undue hardship to persons who were prevented by the COVID-19 public health emergency from timely access to courts and offices in the exercise of their legal rights, including the filing of documents and pleadings as authorized or required by law. Therefore, this Part shall be liberally construed to effect its purposes.
B. The action of the governor of this state in issuing Proclamation Number JBE 2020-30 and any extensions thereof are hereby approved, ratified, and confirmed subject to the provisions of this Part.