Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 394: PARDON/PAROLE: Provides relative to conditional parole (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 394 proposes changes to Louisiana's parole process for inmates requiring rehabilitative programs before release. It creates "conditional parole" allowing prisoners to be released pending completion of specific reentry programs - such as regional reentry initiatives or workforce development programs at Louisiana State Penitentiary or the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women - within a 24-month window. If approved, prisoners must complete the program and then appear before the parole board for a final release decision. The bill directly affects inmates in Louisiana state prisons who need such programs to ensure public safety and successful reintegration. The bill is currently pending in the Legislature's Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice (prefiled February 2026).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates conditional parole requiring completion of reentry programs, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 1054: EVIDENCE: Provides relative to self-authentication of certain evidence

This bill establishes a process for law enforcement agencies to use written certificates to authenticate video footage from unmanned aircraft systems in criminal, juvenile, and certain civil forfeiture cases. Under the new rules, agencies must provide notice of intent to use this certificate method at least 45 days before trial, with a shorter five-day notice required for juvenile court cases. Defendants have the right to request the testimony of the person who operated the aircraft within 30 days of receiving notice, and if they do so, the footage cannot be admitted solely based on the certificate. The legislation defines key terms like "footage" and "unmanned aircraft system" and allows law enforcement to use electronic signatures for certificates.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill streamlines evidence authentication for law enforcement drone footage, improving judicial efficiency while maintaining defendant rights through notice requirements and testimony requests.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 108: CRIMINAL/JURY TRIALS: Provides relative to juror qualifications

HB 108 prohibits individuals convicted of violent crimes (as defined in Louisiana law) or sex offenses (as defined in Louisiana law) from serving on criminal juries. The bill amends the state's Code of Criminal Procedure to add this requirement as a specific disqualification for jury service. This change directly affects people with prior convictions for these offenses, barring them from jury duty in criminal cases. The law would apply to all criminal jury panels across Louisiana, modifying the existing qualifications outlined in Article 401(A)(6). The bill focuses solely on defining who cannot serve, not on other aspects of jury selection or criminal procedure.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts jury eligibility for those with violent/sex offense convictions, limiting participation in criminal courts and opposing inclusion-focused reform95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 258: JUVENILES: Provides relative to juvenile traffic violations. (2/3 - CA5s19) (8/1/26)

SB 258 changes Louisiana law to require that 17-year-olds and older be prosecuted in district court for traffic offenses, rather than juvenile court. It amends the Children's Code by redefining "delinquent act" to include traffic violations for individuals under 17, meaning traffic offenses committed by 17- to 20-year-olds will now be treated as criminal matters in adult court. The bill directly affects teens aged 17-20 who commit traffic violations, shifting their cases from juvenile proceedings to standard criminal prosecution. This change removes the previous exclusion of traffic violations from juvenile court jurisdiction for this age group. The bill is currently prefiled and awaiting committee referral.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeShifts traffic offenses for 17-20yo from juvenile to adult court, expanding criminalization of minor offenses per bill's explicit jurisdiction change.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 347: COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Provides for the crime of "unlawful deepfake" to be added to the definition of power-based violence under the Campus Accountability and Safety Act. (gov sig)

SB 347 adds "unlawful deepfake" to the definition of "power-based violence" under Louisiana's Campus Accountability and Safety Act. The bill defines a "deepfake" as manipulated audio or video falsely appearing authentic to a reasonable observer, excluding political commentary, news, satire, or clearly disclosed content. This change directly affects college and university campuses in Louisiana, expanding how institutions address certain forms of harassment. The policy amendment specifically targets deepfakes used to control or intimidate others, aligning with existing campus safety definitions without creating new criminal penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds 'unlawful deepfake' as a new crime under campus safety, expanding criminalization per indicators.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCriminalizes unlawful deepfakes used in harassment, protecting against tech-enabled privacy violations and enhancing campus safety through targeted regulation of malicious deepfake content.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 265: CRIME: Provides relative to conduct that constitutes the crime of video voyeurism

HB 265 expands Louisiana's video voyeurism law to explicitly criminalize recording the body of a deceased person using any camera, video device, or drone. The bill adds this conduct to the existing definition of video voyeurism under state law, making it a punishable offense. It covers all image-recording technology, including drones equipped with cameras, when used to observe or capture a dead person's body without consent. This directly affects individuals who might use such devices to record deceased persons, creating a new criminal penalty for this specific behavior. The law focuses on preventing exploitation of vulnerable situations involving the dead.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding recording deceased persons to video voyeurism law, creating new punishable offense without reform elements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 351: CORRECTIONS: Provides relative to the reentry preparation program (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 351 repeals two specific provisions related to Louisiana's reentry preparation program for formerly incarcerated individuals. It removes a requirement (R.S. 15:827.1(E)) about reentry programs and eliminates an entrepreneurial educational curriculum component within that program. This bill directly affects inmates participating in Louisiana's reentry programs by removing these specific policy requirements from state law. The change is procedural, with no new requirements or funding added.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves entrepreneurial curriculum from reentry program, reducing rehabilitation components per bill summary95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRemoves entrepreneurial educational curriculum component from reentry program, directly eliminating an educational requirement for formerly incarcerated individuals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 330: CRIMINAL/PENALTIES: Provides relative to the desecration of graves and religious institutions (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF RV)

HB 330 amends Louisiana law to strengthen penalties for damaging graves and religious institutions. It increases fines for grave desecration to up to $500,000 or six months in jail (plus mandatory restitution), and for religious building vandalism, fines range from $500 to $5,000 based on damage costs (with imprisonment up to two years for $500+ damage). The bill directly affects individuals who intentionally damage graves or religious structures, requiring courts to order offenders to pay for the damage sustained. These provisions apply to all such offenses, with enhanced penalties specifically for religious sites.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for grave/religious vandalism with stricter fines/jail terms, directly expanding criminalization without reform elements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

passed · Louisiana · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 123: GOVERNOR: Constitutional amendment to require the governor to certify a legislative address removing certain judges for cause. (2/3 - CA13s1(A)) (EG2 INCREASE GF EX See Note)

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment in Louisiana that would allow the governor to recommend suspending or removing district attorneys and certain judges (district, juvenile, family, or municipal courts) for malfeasance, gross misconduct, or incompetence. If the governor recommends suspension, the Senate must approve it with a two-thirds vote; for removal, the Senate would hold a trial and require a two-thirds vote to remove the official. Removed officials would be permanently barred from holding any judicial office in Louisiana. The amendment requires voter approval in the April 2027 election and is currently pending committee review.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances accountability of judges and district attorneys for misconduct, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of oversight and integrity.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · Louisiana · House May 27, 2026

HB 378: CRIME: Provides relative to using a vehicle to obstruct first responders (EG SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

HB 378 makes it a crime to intentionally block first responders or law enforcement officers using a motor vehicle during their duties. Drivers who hinder first responders (e.g., during emergencies) face fines up to $1,000 or up to six months in jail, while those obstructing officers during pursuits or arrests risk fines up to $1,000 or up to two years in jail. The law explicitly excludes legitimate safety barricades used in construction, maintenance, or by government authorities performing official duties. It directly affects drivers who use vehicles to block emergency or police operations, with penalties varying based on the officer's role and circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill penalizes obstruction of first responders, strengthening law enforcement effectiveness and public safety during emergencies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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