HB 568: CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: Provides relative to penalty enhancements for violations of drug free school zones (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX) - Louisiana

HB568 Original → HB568 Act 305 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill shifts the legal penalties for smoking or vaping controlled substances near schools. It replaces a previous rule that allowed for enhanced sentencing (up to 1.5 times the standard maximum) with a fixed, lower penalty of up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Additionally, it adds a specific exception for cases where the violation also involves possession of marijuana under a different statute, ensuring those specific acts are punished under the original, lower limits.

Scope change

The bill narrows the scope of enhanced penalties, removing the ability for prosecutors to seek sentences significantly higher than the standard maximum for these specific violations.

ENFORCEMENT

Replaced the 'enhanced penalty' provision (allowing 1.5x the maximum sentence) with a fixed penalty of up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Added a specific exception (Subsection E) stating that if the violation also constitutes a violation of R.S. 40:966(C)(2), the enhanced penalty does not apply.

Added a provision stating that sentences for these violations cannot be subject to parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.

TECHNICAL

Removed the legislative digest and formatting markers from the final enrolled text.

HB568 Enrolled → HB568 Original · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Louisiana's Controlled Dangerous Substances Law to create a specific penalty for possessing or using marijuana within 2,000 feet of a school. Previously, such violations carried harsher penalties involving maximum fines and extended imprisonment terms. The new law reduces these penalties to a fixed maximum of one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Scope change

The bill narrows the scope of penalties for marijuana-related offenses in school zones by replacing a broad, enhanced sentencing scheme with a specific, lower maximum penalty.

ENFORCEMENT

Replaced the existing penalty for drug violations in school zones (maximum fine and 1.5x the standard prison term) with a new specific penalty of up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Removed the provision stating that sentences for these specific school zone violations would not be subject to parole, probation, or sentence suspension.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new subsection (E) clarifying that if a violation of the drug-free school zone law also constitutes a separate violation of R.S. 40:966(C)(2), the specific penalty of one year and $1,000 applies.

DEFINITION

Reorganized the statute structure by adding a new subsection (A)(4) to explicitly list marijuana as a controlled substance subject to these school zone restrictions.

HB568 Reengrossed → HB568 Enrolled · 3 edits · May 19, 2026

MINOR

The bill was finalized into its enrolled version, removing the House digest and technical amendment notes while retaining the core penalty enhancements for drug offenses near schools. The substantive policy changes remain in effect, increasing penalties for violations of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law within 2,000 feet of school property or on school buses.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains unchanged; it continues to apply to violations of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law in school zones and on school buses.

TECHNICAL

Removed the House digest, abstract, and summary of amendments which were informational and not part of the final law.

Deleted the 'REENGROSSED' header and replaced it with the 'ENROLLED' header to signify the bill is in its final form ready for signing.

Reordered and renumbered subsections of the penalty provisions to align with the enrolled format, though the legal penalties described remain the same.

HB568 Engrossed → HB568 Reengrossed · 3 edits · May 18, 2026

MINOR

The bill was reengrossed to fix a subsection reference error, changing 'Subsection E' to 'Subsection D' in the penalty clause. Additionally, the document header was updated to reflect the new version status, and a summary of the House's technical amendments was added to the digest.

TECHNICAL

Corrected a legal citation error where 'Subsection E' was changed to 'Subsection D' regarding how violations are punished.

Updated the document title from 'ENGROSSED' to 'REENGROSSED' to reflect the latest legislative version.

Added a summary section explaining that the House adopted technical changes to the bill.

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: Provides relative to penalty enhancements for violations of drug free school zones (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

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