SB 199: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Imposes a mandatory minimum sentence for a second offense of purchasing commercial sexual activity. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF RV) - Louisiana

SB199 Original → SB199 Act 361 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the penalties for purchasing commercial sexual activity and expands the legal definition of a 'sex offense' to include a broader range of crimes. The changes increase the mandatory minimum prison time for repeat buyers of commercial sex acts and add several new offenses to the list of crimes that trigger mandatory registration as a sex offender.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of offenses considered 'sex offenses' for registration purposes to include crimes like rape, sexual battery, and certain computer-aided solicitation of minors, in addition to existing offenses.

ENFORCEMENT

Mandatory minimum prison sentences for a second offense of purchasing commercial sexual activity were increased to a minimum of six months without the possibility of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.

The maximum prison term for a second offense of purchasing commercial sexual activity was increased from two years to two years (unchanged maximum, but clarified wording), while the fine range remains between $1,500 and $2,000.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'sex offense' was significantly expanded to include a wide variety of new crimes, including rape, sexual battery, and specific computer-aided solicitations of minors, requiring offenders convicted of these crimes to register.

ELIGIBILITY

The criteria for mandatory sex offender registration now includes convictions for the newly added offenses listed in the definition, such as aggravated rape and sexual abuse of an animal.

SB199 Enrolled → SB199 Original · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the penalties for repeat offenses related to prostitution in Louisiana. It adds a new mandatory minimum sentence for a second or subsequent offense of soliciting for prostitutes and modifies the penalty for a second offense of purchasing commercial sexual activity to include a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment. These changes ensure that repeat offenders face a guaranteed prison term without the possibility of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of mandatory sentencing by introducing new mandatory minimums for repeat soliciting offenses and adjusting the mandatory minimum for repeat purchasing offenses.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandatory minimum sentence of six months to one year for a second or subsequent offense of soliciting for prostitutes, removing the option for probation or parole.

Modified the penalty for a second offense of purchasing commercial sexual activity to include a mandatory minimum imprisonment of six months to two years, removing the option for probation or parole.

TIMELINE

Established an effective date of August 1, 2026, for the new sentencing requirements.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill's title and summary to reflect the new mandatory sentencing provisions for both purchasing and soliciting offenses.

SB199 Reengrossed → SB199 Enrolled · 5 edits · May 19, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates the penalties for purchasing commercial sexual activity and expands the definition of 'sex offense' to include a wide range of crimes involving minors and sexual violence. The most significant change is the imposition of a mandatory minimum prison sentence of six months to two years for a second offense, which cannot be served on probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. Additionally, it requires offenders convicted of these crimes to register as sex offenders under specific circumstances.

Scope change

The bill significantly expands the scope of offenses that trigger sex offender registration requirements, adding numerous crimes against children and sexual violence to the list of qualifying offenses.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandatory minimum prison sentence of six months to two years for a second conviction of purchasing commercial sexual activity, with no eligibility for probation, parole, or sentence suspension.

Added a requirement for offenders convicted of purchasing commercial sexual activity to register as a sex offender under certain circumstances.

DEFINITION

Expanded the legal definition of 'sex offense' to include deferred adjudications and convictions for a broad list of crimes, including human trafficking, crimes against nature, rape, sexual battery, and various offenses involving juveniles.

Extended the definition of 'sex offense' to include convictions for voyeurism and sexual abuse of animals, provided the offender is under the custody of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections on or after June 18, 1992.

TECHNICAL

Removed the digest and legislative services summary sections from the final enrolled version of the bill.

SB199 Engrossed → SB199 Reengrossed · 3 edits · Mar 24, 2026

MINOR

This bill was reengrossed to simplify its scope by removing mandatory sentences for soliciting for prostitutes, which were previously included. The focus is now exclusively on purchasing commercial sexual activity. A new requirement was added mandating that offenders convicted a second time must register as sex offenders.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed from covering both purchasing commercial sexual activity and soliciting for prostitutes to only covering the purchase of commercial sexual activity.

REQUIREMENT

Mandatory sentencing provisions for second and subsequent offenses of soliciting for prostitutes were deleted.

A new requirement mandates that offenders convicted a second time of purchasing commercial sexual activity must register as a sex offender.

SCOPE

The bill's stated purpose was updated to reflect that it now only addresses offenses concerning the purchase of commercial sexual activity.

CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Imposes a mandatory minimum sentence for a second offense of purchasing commercial sexual activity. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF RV)

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