Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 81: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Provides relative to waiver of a trial by jury in a noncapital felony case. (See Act)

SB 81 requires written consent from the district attorney for defendants to waive a jury trial in noncapital felony cases. It changes Louisiana law to mandate that courts deny such waiver requests without the prosecutor's written approval, effective within 45 days before trial. The bill's implementation depends on voter approval of a related constitutional amendment (Article 1, Section 17(A)). This directly affects defendants in noncapital felony cases and prosecutors who must now provide written consent for jury waivers. The bill is currently in the prefiling stage (prefiled February 20, 2026) and not yet enacted.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts defendant rights by requiring prosecutor consent for jury trial waiver, denying waiver without it per bill language.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 169: CRIMINAL/SENTENCING: Provides relative to extradition as a condition of probation or parole (EN INCREASE SG RV See Note)

HB 169 adds a new condition for both probation and parole in Louisiana: individuals must waive extradition to Louisiana from any U.S. or international jurisdiction and agree not to contest being returned. This applies to anyone on probation or parole who leaves Louisiana, requiring them to pay the full cost of extradition (based on their ability to pay) if returned from outside the state. The bill amends Louisiana law to include this requirement as a standard condition during probation or parole placement. It directly affects individuals under probation or parole supervision who travel outside Louisiana, imposing a financial obligation for their return. The law aims to streamline the return process for offenders who leave the state.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds extradition waiver and cost payment as probation/parole condition, restricting offender movement and imposing financial burden, opposing reform efforts92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 156: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Increases the maximum period of imprisonment for negligent homicide. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 156 increases the maximum prison sentence for negligent homicide from 10 to 15 years in certain cases. It specifically raises the maximum to 15 years for killing a child under 10, and to 40 years for offenders over 17 who cause the death of someone under 17 through intentional or negligent mistreatment. The bill also requires courts to explain in writing why they don't sentence offenders to prison when alcohol contributed to a vehicle-related death. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of negligent homicide, particularly in cases involving minors or alcohol-related incidents.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases maximum prison terms for negligent homicide, including longer sentences for child-related deaths and alcohol-related vehicular deaths, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher sentencing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 345: JUVENILE JUSTICE: Requires the office of juvenile justice to submit an annual report to the legislature. (8/1/26)

SB 345 requires Louisiana's Office of Juvenile Justice to submit an annual report by February 1st to the Senate Judiciary B Committee and the legislative research library. The report must detail prevention programs, diversion program development, access to education/health resources for juveniles in custody, and specific statistics on juvenile custody numbers, complaints, investigations, and lawsuits. This bill increases transparency in the juvenile justice system by mandating regular, standardized reporting on key operational metrics. It directly affects the Office of Juvenile Justice, which must now collect and submit this data annually.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates annual transparency reports on juvenile justice programs and statistics, enhancing oversight and accountability in the system.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 320: LAW ENFORCEMENT: Provides relative to DNA detection of sexual and violent offenses. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE See Note)

SB 320 requires Louisiana law enforcement agencies to track and resolve DNA matches from unsolved sexual assault and violent crime cases within 90 days of notification. It creates a central statewide system managed by the state police to monitor "outstanding" DNA matches (cases where agencies haven't acted on the lead within 90 days) and mandates all relevant agencies - including police departments, district attorneys, and crime labs - to report data to this system by January 2027. The law also requires annual public reports detailing statewide and regional statistics on outstanding matches and resolutions. This directly affects law enforcement agencies handling criminal investigations involving DNA evidence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates timely resolution of DNA leads in sexual assault/violent crime cases, creating a statewide tracking system to advance case resolution and improve criminal justice outcomes.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 362: DISTRICTS/CRIME PREVENT: Creates the Regency Park Townhomes Crime Prevention and Security District in Orleans Parish

HB 362 creates a special crime prevention and security district for Regency Park Townhomes residents in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. The district, governed by a five-member board (including association leaders and resident members), will fund security patrols, improved lighting, signage, and beautification through a voter-approved annual parcel fee of up to $300 per property. Property owners within the defined boundaries (bounded by Morrison Road, Downman Road, Seabrook Place, and Countess Lane) will pay this fee, collected like property taxes, with funds restricted solely to district security and maintenance. The district operates as a political subdivision under Louisiana law, requiring voter approval for fee implementation and renewal.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates a crime prevention district funding security patrols, lighting, and signage through voter-approved fees, directly advancing localized crime prevention measures within criminal justice framework.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 533: COURTS: Requires the governing authority of St. Tammany Parish to transfer certain monies into the criminal court fund of the 22nd Judicial District Court (EN NO IMPACT LF See Note)

HB 533 requires St. Tammany Parish’s governing authority to transfer any surplus funds from its special court fund to the 22nd Judicial District Court’s criminal court fund annually. Surplus is defined as money remaining after paying witness fees to off-duty law enforcement officers for court appearances that year. The transferred funds can be used for any purpose allowed under the criminal court fund’s existing rules. This bill directly affects St. Tammany Parish’s budget management and the 22nd Judicial District Court’s funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTransfers surplus court funds to criminal court fund, providing additional resources for judicial operations without restrictions or cuts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed both · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HCR 50: CORR FACILITIES/JAILS: Requests certain state and governmental entities to report on opioid abatement and treatment programs in correctional facilities, and to clarify guidance regarding available funding for such programs

This bill asks state agencies and law enforcement groups to report on how they are using opioid settlement funds for treatment and prevention programs in correctional facilities. It also requests that the Opioid Abatement Task Force and the Attorney General provide clearer guidance on which expenses are allowed under these funds. The measure aims to address concerns raised in a recent audit that many local areas have not spent their allocated money due to confusion about rules and a lack of available programs. By gathering this information, the state hopes to ensure that the millions of dollars received from opioid lawsuits are used effectively to help incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes rehabilitation and treatment programs in correctional facilities, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to clarify funding rules and expand opioid treatment programs in correctional facilities, directly strengthening access to healthcare services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed both · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HCR 64: COURTS: Requests a study to make recommendations regarding behavioral health courts

This bill directs the Louisiana Supreme Court's drug and specialty court program to conduct a study on the potential effectiveness, impact, and costs of establishing behavioral health courts in three specific parishes: Ouachita, East Baton Rouge, and Orleans. The program is required to complete this study and submit its findings and recommendations to relevant House and Senate committees no later than January 1, 2027. This legislative request focuses on gathering data to inform future decisions regarding the expansion of these specialized court programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes behavioral health courts to improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HR 73: DOMESTIC ABUSE: Directs the Louisiana State Law Institute to study mandatory issuance of protective orders

This bill directs the Louisiana State Law Institute to study whether protective orders should be automatically issued when someone is arrested for domestic abuse. The study will examine current procedures and compare them with Colorado's mandatory order system, with findings due by January 4, 2027. It does not change existing laws but instead asks state legal experts to research how mandatory orders might work in Louisiana. The results will go to the House of Representatives to help inform future decisions about domestic violence protections.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill directs study on mandatory protective orders for domestic abuse arrests, potentially strengthening victim protection and improving criminal justice response to domestic violence.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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