Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 552: DWI: Provides relative to driving while intoxicated (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 552 amends Louisiana's DWI laws to explicitly include "impaired" driving alongside "intoxicated" driving, expanding the scope of the offense to cover impairment from alcohol or drugs. It clarifies that city and municipal courts can handle first and second DWI offenses (with penalties matching state law), but third or subsequent offenses must be tried in district court with a jury. The bill also requires courts to assess additional costs when alcohol was a factor in any offense, and makes intoxilyzer test results automatically admissible as evidence in DWI cases. These changes directly affect drivers facing DWI charges, local courts handling such cases, and prosecutors presenting evidence.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding 'impaired' driving to DWI offenses, broadening prosecution scope beyond intoxication alone.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 823: COURTS: Establishes a homeless diversion pilot program in Orleans Parish (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX See Note)

HB 823 establishes a pilot program in Orleans Parish that offers homeless individuals facing criminal charges an alternative to court proceedings. Instead of traditional sentencing, eligible defendants can participate in a diversion program providing housing assistance, mental health services, job training, and substance abuse treatment. If participants successfully complete the program’s requirements, the criminal charges are dismissed without a conviction. The program requires annual evaluations and reporting to the Louisiana Supreme Court, aiming to reduce recidivism, court workload, and prison overcrowding while addressing homelessness through community partnerships.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates diversion program replacing court with housing/mental health services; dismisses charges on completion, reducing recidivism and aligning with reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides mental health services as core component of diversion program, advancing access to mental healthcare for homeless individuals facing criminal charges.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides housing assistance as core component of homeless diversion program, directly addressing homelessness through housing access and services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 429: CRIME/THEFT: Adds theft or unauthorized entry of a critical infrastructure as a predicate crime for terrorism (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 429 adds theft or unauthorized entry of oil and gas facilities - including drilling, production, transportation, and storage equipment - as a specific act that qualifies as terrorism under Louisiana law. It directly affects individuals who steal or trespass at these facilities by making such acts punishable as terrorism, not just theft. The bill defines "critical infrastructure" to explicitly include oil and gas operations and sets a minimum 20-year prison sentence for terrorism convictions involving these facilities. This amendment changes the legal classification of such crimes, increasing penalties for offenses previously treated as theft.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of theft at oil/gas facilities as terrorism with 20+ year mandatory sentences, increasing penalties and restricting defendant rights.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProtects oil and gas infrastructure (a core energy production sector) by classifying theft as terrorism, strengthening security for critical energy facilities.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly targets theft of oil/gas transportation infrastructure as terrorism, strengthening protection of transportation assets through criminal penalties.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

passed · Louisiana · House Jun 3, 2026

HR 321: DOMESTIC ABUSE: Requests the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice to receive input, feedback, and suggestions relative to uniform protocols for examinations for survivors of domestic violence

This resolution asks the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice to study how forensic medical exams for domestic violence survivors are currently handled across the state. The goal is to create consistent rules for these exams so that victims in rural areas receive the same care and evidence collection standards as those in cities. The commission will also look into making the payment process for these specialized medical services clearer and more reliable. To help with this study, the commission is invited to gather input from various groups, including hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and domestic violence advocates. Finally, the commission must submit its findings and suggestions to the legislature by June 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes uniform protocols for forensic exams of domestic violence survivors, improving evidence collection standards and victim care across the state.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to standardize forensic medical exams for domestic violence survivors, improving access to consistent care and evidence collection standards across the state.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Louisiana · House Jun 3, 2026

HR 391: COURTS: Creates a task force to study the effectiveness of the 18th Judicial District Court Drug Court Program

This resolution establishes a task force to evaluate the 18th Judicial District Court Drug Court Program and related behavioral health services for incarcerated individuals in Iberville, Pointe Coupee, and West Baton Rouge Parishes. The eleven-member group includes representatives from the courts, health and corrections departments, mental health and substance abuse professionals, and legislative leaders. Their mandate is to examine specific operational aspects such as recidivism rates, treatment effectiveness, mental health evaluation timeliness, and the costs of the program compared to standard incarceration. The task force must hold its initial meeting within sixty days and submit a final report with findings and recommendations to state committees by February 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes a task force to evaluate drug court programs and behavioral health services, aiming to improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Louisiana · House Jun 3, 2026

HR 322: CRIME/HOMICIDE: Creates the Task Force on Sentencing for Second Degree Murder

This bill amends a resolution to establish a Task Force on Sentencing for Second Degree Murder in Louisiana by adding the president of the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as a member. The key provision inserts a specific line item to include this legal representative in the group tasked with reviewing sentencing practices for this specific crime. Directly affected parties include the task force members who will conduct the review and the broader criminal justice system in the state. The legislation does not change existing laws or sentencing guidelines but rather creates a committee to study and potentially recommend changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill adds a criminal defense lawyer to a sentencing task force, enhancing oversight and balancing perspectives in criminal justice reform.75% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 1247: CRIME/SEX OFFENSES: Creates a statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Coordinator

HB 1247 establishes a statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Coordinator to oversee and support forensic care for sexual assault survivors across the state. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, and survivors by creating a centralized role to improve the consistency and quality of medical examinations and evidence collection. Key provisions include defining the coordinator's responsibilities, setting up a funding mechanism, and outlining procedures for training and certification of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. The legislation aims to streamline the response to sexual assaults by ensuring survivors receive standardized, trauma-informed care from qualified professionals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes a coordinator to improve forensic care and evidence collection for sexual assault survivors, enhancing the integrity of the criminal justice process.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a coordinator to improve forensic care quality and evidence collection for sexual assault survivors, directly advancing healthcare services and patient support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1204: JUVENILES: Provides relative to the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program

This bill amends state laws to update the funding and administration of the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program for at-risk juveniles. It mandates that fifteen percent of annual savings from criminal justice reforms be directed to the program. The Office of Juvenile Justice within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections is designated as the intermediary to manage the funds. Administration of the program will involve a partnership between this office, other state departments, and selected nonprofit groups.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates allocation of 15% of savings to fund a youth program, increasing public service funding.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds a juvenile rehabilitation program using savings from criminal justice reforms, indicating support for reform and rehabilitation within the justice system.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 969: CRIMINAL/VICTIMS: Provides relative to compensation for victims of criminal offenses (EN SEE FISC NOTE SD EX)

This bill updates Louisiana's Crime Victims' Compensation Fund by renaming it from the Crime Victims Reparations Fund and establishing clearer rules for how funds are collected and distributed. It requires gambling operators to deposit unclaimed pari-mutuel ticket money into the fund, specifically for health care services related to sexually oriented criminal offenses. The legislation also mandates that parole committees order restitution from offenders who caused financial harm to victims, with payments directed to the compensation fund if victims cannot be located. Additionally, the bill prohibits the assignment of crime victim compensation payments to third parties and repeals the Victims of Vehicular Homicide Act.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens victim compensation fund and mandates restitution, enhancing victim support within criminal justice system85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1070: CRIMINAL/JUSTICE: Provides relative to the Trial Court Case Management Information Fund (EN SEE FISC NOTE SD RV)

This bill requires courts to charge defendants an additional three-dollar fee, reduced to one dollar in smaller municipalities, to fund a trial court case management information system. The money collected is placed in a special state fund managed by the judicial administrator, which can only be used to develop and maintain computer systems that help judges, clerks, law enforcement, and other officials manage criminal and juvenile justice cases more efficiently. The bill also establishes the administrator's role in coordinating with policy boards and conducting compliance checks to ensure the fees are properly collected and spent.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds trial court case management systems to improve efficiency in criminal and juvenile justice case handling for judges, clerks, and law enforcement.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds development and maintenance of computer systems for court case management, directly supporting technology infrastructure in the justice system.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice