COURTS: Provides relative to homelessness. (8/1/25) (EG INCREASE GF EX See Note)
SB 196 creates new Louisiana law (R.S. 40:581.1-581.3) to regulate public camping and homelessness. It prohibits overnight camping in non-designated public areas (except in legal motor vehicle camping or recreational zones) and allows local governments to temporarily designate specific public property for camping under strict conditions, such as lack of shelter beds and no impact on residential areas. Local governments must establish safety, sanitation, and health service standards for designated sites, and nearby residents, businesses, or nonprofits can sue to stop unapproved camping near their property. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, if passed.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 4, 2025
Last action May 29, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
SB196 Original
→
SB196 Engrossed
·
4 edits
·
Apr 30, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was renamed from 'Original' to 'Engrossed' to reflect its final legislative status. The text includes minor wording adjustments to clarify that the program assists 'persons' rather than just 'individuals' and explicitly adds 'disorders' to the list of issues addressed. A significant structural change reorganized the list of essential characteristics for the homelessness court program, renumbering items and adding a new definition for 'Participant' to ensure clarity on who is eligible for the program.
Scope change
The scope of the program is slightly clarified by expanding the definition of 'Participant' to include anyone subject to the program's jurisdiction, not just those currently experiencing homelessness, and by adding 'disorders' to the list of conditions the program aims to treat.
DEFINITION
The definition of 'Participant' was expanded to include persons subject to the program's jurisdiction, such as defendants or probationers, in addition to those currently experiencing homelessness.
The list of issues the program addresses was updated to explicitly include 'substance abuse disorders' and clarified that crimes are 'committed by' those experiencing homelessness.
REQUIREMENT
The list of essential characteristics for the homelessness court program was reorganized and renumbered, with some items moved to improve logical flow and readability.
TECHNICAL
The document header was updated to reflect the bill's status as 'Engrossed' instead of 'Original'.
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
8
Key actions
2
Committee
2
May 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate floor amendments read and adopted.
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported with amendments.
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Committee
Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary B.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Bob Owen
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 196
Scope: LA
Hi! I can help you understand SB 196. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline