HB 968: CRIMINAL/JUSTICE: Provides relative to electronic monitoring and associated costs (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX) - Louisiana

Senate Floor Bureau Note, #4350, Cathey, Adopted → HB968 Act 858 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a Senate floor amendment draft into an enrolled Act, finalizing its text for implementation. The substantive policy changes include clarifying that adults must pay for their own electronic monitoring costs, expanding the list of individuals who can be notified of payment delinquencies to include bail agents, and establishing a specific 15-day timeline for courts to hold hearings on non-payment disputes.

Scope change

The bill's scope was clarified to explicitly apply to persons tried as adults, while also ensuring juvenile matters are covered under cost waiver provisions.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that adults participating in electronic monitoring programs must bear the cost, with waivers available only for juveniles or upon request by the responsible entity.

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded the list of parties to be notified regarding payment delinquencies to include sureties, bail agents, and bondsmen.

TIMELINE

Established a mandatory 15-day deadline for courts to schedule hearings when an electronic monitoring provider files a report for non-payment.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that the specific delinquency hearing procedures apply only to persons tried as adults, distinguishing them from juvenile proceedings.

HB968 Original → Senate Floor Bureau Note, #4350, Cathey, Adopted · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand eligibility for electronic monitoring waivers to include individuals tried as adults, broaden the definition of financial guarantors to include bail agents and bondsmen, and clarify that arrest warrants can be issued based on information from bail undertakings. Additionally, the amendments modify how notices are served and change the legal standard for modifying monitoring conditions from 'affected' to 'modified'.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include individuals tried as adults who were previously excluded, and the enforcement mechanisms were clarified to explicitly allow the use of bail agent information for warrant issuance.

ELIGIBILITY

Waivers for electronic monitoring costs can now be requested for a person tried as an adult, not just adults in general.

DEFINITION

The list of acceptable financial guarantors now explicitly includes bail agents and bondsmen alongside sureties.

ENFORCEMENT

The court can now issue arrest warrants using information provided on bail undertakings to prove noncompliance.

REQUIREMENT

The legal language regarding the impact of noncompliance was changed from 'affected' to 'modified' to better describe the adjustment of conditions.

New language was added to specify that notices must include information about a posting.

HB968 Enrolled → HB968 Original · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered and its title was updated to include 'associated costs' to clarify its financial focus. The most significant substantive change is the expansion of the list of acceptable payment methods for electronic monitoring, now explicitly including bank checks, cashier's checks, and electronic fund transfers. Additionally, the bill was amended to apply to 'any person' rather than just adults, broadening the scope to include juveniles in the payment requirements.

Scope change

The scope of the bill was expanded to include juveniles in the payment and monitoring requirements, which previously applied only to adults.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded the list of acceptable payment methods to include bank checks, cashier's checks, traveler's checks, and electronic fund transfers.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the language from 'any adult' to 'any person' to ensure the payment and monitoring rules apply to juveniles as well.

DEFINITION

Updated the bill title to explicitly mention 'associated costs' to better reflect the content regarding payment methods.

TECHNICAL

The bill was renumbered from 'HB 968 Enrolled' to 'HLS 26RS-1457 ORIGINAL' to reflect its status as the original version submitted for the 2026 Regular Session.

HB968 Engrossed → HB968 Enrolled · 5 edits · May 31, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as an enrolled version, removing the 'Engrossed' status and updating the page count from 9 to 8. Substantively, the text clarifies that electronic monitoring companies may detain individuals for reasonable periods and expands the provider's duty to actively monitor compliance and report violations. It also details the specific contents of delinquency reports and establishes a strict 15-day timeline for courts to schedule hearings when providers report non-payment.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on electronic monitoring in criminal proceedings, but the enrolled text clarifies applicability to adults tried as adults and refines the procedures for handling non-payment.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for providers to actively monitor compliance and report violations to the district attorney.

Clarified that providers may detain monitored individuals for reasonable periods during technical evaluations.

TIMELINE

Established a mandatory 15-day deadline for courts to schedule contradictory hearings after a delinquency report is filed.

ENFORCEMENT

Refined the process for issuing arrest warrants and filing delinquency reports for unpaid monitoring fees.

TECHNICAL

Updated document metadata including the status from 'Engrossed' to 'Enrolled' and adjusted the total page count.

CRIMINAL/JUSTICE: Provides relative to electronic monitoring and associated costs (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

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