HB 280 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

PAROLE: Provides for consolidation of certain repetitive language relative to parole eligibility

HB 280 consolidates repetitive language in Louisiana law regarding parole eligibility for juvenile offenders sentenced to life imprisonment. It streamlines provisions across multiple sections (previously duplicative in subsections B(2), D(1), E(1), F(1), G(1), and J(1)) into a single, clearer framework. The bill does not change eligibility requirements but clarifies that juvenile offenders (those under 18 at the time of offense, excluding certain murder convictions) qualify for parole consideration after serving 25 years, subject to conditions like risk assessment, no recent disciplinary offenses, and completion of programs. This procedural update directly affects individuals convicted as juveniles of life sentences under specific criteria.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 23, 2026 Signed May 29, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB280 Original → HB280 Act 425 · 3 edits

MINOR

HB 280 was enrolled as Act 425, finalizing its text for implementation. The substantive policy change involves expanding parole eligibility criteria for juvenile offenders by adding new requirements. Previously, only three conditions were needed for parole consideration; the bill now adds mandatory completion of substance abuse treatment and at least one educational or job skills program.

Scope change

The bill applies specifically to juvenile offenders seeking parole under existing statutes (R.S. 15:574.4).

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that the offender must complete substance abuse treatment if it is available at their facility.

Added a requirement that the offender must complete at least one of the following: a literacy program, an adult basic education program, or a job skills training program.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified the parole eligibility checklist by increasing the number of conditions from three to five, making it more difficult for offenders to qualify for parole.

Floor votes · Senate May 19, 2026 · House Apr 8, 2026

How they voted

33–0

Passed · 7 other

Total votes 40

May 19, 2026

D Democratic12

9 Yea 3

75% Yea

R Republican28

24 Yea 4

85% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read by title, passed by a vote of 33 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 22, 2026

Committee

Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

Apr 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably.

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 93, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Mar 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (7-0).

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

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

lower

Feb 23, 2026

Committee

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

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors