HB 74 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

LAW ENFORCEMENT: Creates a "Spectrum Alert" system to assist in locating missing persons with autism spectrum disorder (EGF NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 74 proposes creating a "Spectrum Alert" system in Louisiana to assist law enforcement in locating children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who go missing. The bill requires the Department of Public Safety to develop a public notification system that verifies a child’s missing status, issues community alerts via text/email/flyers, and coordinates with private entities. It also mandates specialized training for officers on ASD responses and de-escalation tactics, while granting legal immunity to participating law enforcement, broadcasters, and others. The bill directly affects children with ASD, their families, and law enforcement agencies across Louisiana.

Bill status failed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Governor

Introduced Feb 3, 2026 Last action May 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB74 Engrossed → Senate Floor Bureau Note, #3569, McMath, Adopted · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to refine the language of the Spectrum Alert system requirements. The changes clarify that the Department of Public Safety must make a specific determination regarding the urgency of a missing child's situation rather than just asking if circumstances are aggravated, and adjust the wording regarding private sector involvement to emphasize coordination over encouragement.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's operational requirements was slightly tightened to ensure clearer procedural steps for law enforcement and the public safety department.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the notification system requirement from a simple question about aggravated circumstances to a mandatory 'determination as to whether' the situation is life-threatening or requires life-sustaining medication.

Revised the instruction to the private sector from 'coordinate with and encourage' to 'Coordination with encouragement of,' making the language more direct.

TECHNICAL

Corrected a grammatical error by changing the article before 'alert' from 'The' to 'An'.

Floor votes · Senate May 13, 2026 · House Apr 22, 2026

How they voted

32–0

Passed · 8 other

Total votes 40

May 13, 2026

D Democratic12

9 Yea 3

75% Yea

R Republican28

23 Yea 5

82% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate conference committee members appointed: Foil, McMath, and Lambert.

upper

May 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Notice House Conference Committee members appointed.

upper

May 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Rules suspended. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 32 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

May 6, 2026

Committee

Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

May 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Rules suspended. Reported with amendments.

upper

Apr 22, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 94, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Apr 15, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (11-0).

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

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

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

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

lower

1 primary · 63 co-sponsors