SB 118 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Provides for substance use disorder screening of all misdemeanor DUI offenders. (8/1/26) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 118 requires courts to screen all misdemeanor DUI offenders (first and second offenses) for substance use disorder risk as part of probation conditions. It mandates using evidence-based screening tools validated for impaired driving, with results kept confidential and shared directly with the court, prosecutors, and defense counsel. If screening indicates risk, courts may order a full assessment by a licensed clinician to determine if a substance use disorder diagnosis exists. This policy applies to both first and second offense DUI cases under Louisiana law, focusing on early intervention rather than altering penalties.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 23, 2026 Signed May 14, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB118 Original → SB118 Act · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the name of the impaired driving prevention act and changes the terminology from 'substance abuse disorder' to 'substance use disorder' throughout the law. It also expands the requirements for probation by mandating that all misdemeanor DUI offenders undergo a specific, evidence-based screening to check for substance use disorder risks. If the screening indicates a risk, the court can order a formal clinical assessment to determine if a diagnosis exists before finalizing the probation plan.

Scope change

The bill applies to all misdemeanor DUI offenders placed on probation, requiring a new screening step that was not previously mandated for this group.

DEFINITION

Changed the legal term from 'substance abuse disorder' to 'substance use disorder' to align with modern medical terminology.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandatory requirement for all misdemeanor DUI offenders on probation to participate in a court-approved substance abuse program that includes a specific screening tool.

Established that the screening tool must be evidence-based and validated specifically for the impaired driving population.

Required that screening results be confidential and reported directly to the court, prosecutor, and defense counsel.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a process where, if the screening shows a risk, the court may order a licensed clinician to perform a full assessment to diagnose a substance use disorder.

Renamed the act from the 'Judge Jules Edwards Drunk Driving Protection Act' to the 'Judge Jules Edwards, III Impaired Driving Prevention Act'.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 7, 2026 · House May 11, 2026

How they voted

37–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 40

Apr 7, 2026

D Democratic12

10 Yea 2

83% Yea

R Republican28

27 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 96, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 5, 2026

Introduced

Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

Apr 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (10-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Committee

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

lower

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Mar 31, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably.

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor