HB 399 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to temporary release of inmates for limited purposes (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 399 would allow Louisiana prisons to temporarily release inmates with terminal illnesses (where death is expected within 120 days) or severe mobility restrictions requiring acute medical care, such as prolonged coma or mechanical ventilation. It specifically excludes inmates sentenced to death. The bill clarifies the timeframe for release decisions and amends existing law to standardize this process. Currently pending in committee, it has not yet become law.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

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

Jun 2026

Introduced Feb 25, 2026 Signed Jun 23, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB399 Original → HB399 Act 945 · 3 edits

MINOR

HB 399 was amended to expand eligibility for temporary inmate release by increasing the time window for expected death from 60 to 120 days. This change allows the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to authorize short-term releases for terminally ill inmates who have a longer life expectancy than previously permitted, potentially improving end-of-life care and family visitation opportunities.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded from covering inmates expected to die within 60 days to those expected to die within 120 days.

ELIGIBILITY

Extended the eligibility threshold for temporary release from inmates diagnosed with a terminal illness from 60 days to 120 days until death is expected.

TECHNICAL

Added co-sponsor Representative Chassion to the bill authors list.

Updated document headers and page counts to reflect the enrolled act status (Act No. 945) and removed original legislative service digest.

Floor votes · Senate May 28, 2026 · House Apr 14, 2026

How they voted

28–6

Passed · 6 other

Total votes 40

May 28, 2026

D Democratic12

10 Yea 2

83% Yea

R Republican28

18 Yea 6 Nay 4

64% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read by title, passed by a vote of 26 yeas and 7 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 29, 2026

Committee

Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

Apr 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably.

upper

Apr 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 83, nays 12. 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 25, 2026

Committee

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

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor