HB 111 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

CRIMINAL/SENTENCING: Provides relative to diminution of sentence for the earning of an associate's degree (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 111 would allow incarcerated individuals in Louisiana to earn an additional 90 days of credit toward their parole supervision date if they obtain an associate's degree from a regionally accredited, department-approved educational institution while serving their sentence. This policy directly affects people in Louisiana state prisons who complete such a degree program. The key provision adds this specific credit to existing good time calculations under Louisiana law, reducing the time they must serve under parole supervision. The bill does not alter prison sentences but shortens the parole period for eligible individuals who earn the degree.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Feb 10, 2026 Signed Apr 30, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB111 Original → HB111 Act · 1 edit

MINOR

This bill expands eligibility for 'good time' sentence reductions in Louisiana by adding an associate's degree to the list of qualifying credentials. Previously, inmates only received credit for earning a bachelor's degree; now, completing an associate's degree while incarcerated also results in a 90-day sentence reduction. The change broadens the incentive for incarcerated individuals to pursue higher education.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from applying only to inmates earning bachelor's degrees to also include those earning associate's degrees.

ELIGIBILITY

Inmates who earn an associate's degree while incarcerated are now eligible for an additional 90 days of 'good time' credit.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 22, 2026 · House Mar 30, 2026

How they voted

37–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 40

Apr 22, 2026

D Democratic12

10 Yea 2

83% Yea

R Republican28

27 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 22, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read by title, passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Committee

Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably.

upper

Mar 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 95, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Mar 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (12-0).

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Committee

Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

lower

1 primary · 17 co-sponsors