Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 82: DWI: Provides relative to penalties for DWI offenses (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 82 amends penalties for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) offenses by changing a specific penalty duration from "twelve months" to "twelve years." This change directly affects individuals convicted of DWI offenses, significantly increasing the potential jail time for certain violations. The bill modifies an existing penalty provision within the DWI statute, focusing on the length of incarceration rather than introducing new categories or requirements. As a substantive policy change, it represents a major adjustment to sentencing for DWI convictions in the jurisdiction.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases DWI penalties from 12 months to 12 years, raising mandatory incarceration without rehabilitation focus95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 191: CRIMINAL/SENTENCING: Provides relative to credit for prior custody (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 191 prevents overlapping jail credit for defendants serving consecutive sentences on multiple charges. It requires that time spent in actual custody counts toward only one sentence, not multiple consecutive sentences. The bill invalidates any previous jail credit awarded in violation of this rule, declaring it "null, void, and of no effect." This change directly affects individuals convicted of multiple offenses who may have previously received double-counted credit for the same time served.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticePrevents double-counting jail credit for consecutive sentences, increasing effective sentence lengths and reducing defendant rights by invalidating prior overlapping credits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 320: CRIME/SEX OFFENSES: Creates the crime of unlawful exposure by an inmate (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 320 creates a new criminal offense in Louisiana for inmates who expose their intimate body parts (genitals, pubic hair, anus, vulva, or female breast nipples) to correctional staff with the intent of sexual gratification or harassment. It applies specifically to individuals incarcerated in jails, prisons, or detention facilities, targeting conduct directed at employees of those facilities. Violations carry penalties of up to three years in prison, a $2,500 fine, or both for a first offense, with harsher penalties for repeat offenses. The bill also amends existing law to include this new offense under the definition of "sex offense" for registration and notification purposes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for inmate sexual exposure in corrections, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization in correctional facilities.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 883: GAMBLING: Provides relative to enforcement of illegal online gambling (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)

HB 883 defines illegal online gambling as any internet-based game where players risk money for potential winnings, including sites using dual-currency systems. It targets operators, payment processors, and platform providers (like websites hosting gambling content), requiring them to block transactions with sites listed by the attorney general. Violations can result in fines up to $210,000 for operators or $20,000 for facilitators, plus up to five years in prison, with doubled penalties if minors are involved. The bill also mandates forfeiture of profits from illegal gambling activities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes criminal penalties for online gambling operations, expanding criminalization (fines, prison terms) rather than advancing reform or reducing enforcement.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill imposes strict penalties on online gambling platforms, restricting technology-enabled gambling services through transaction blocking and heavy fines.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 275: CHILDREN/ABUSE: Provides relative to the minimum sentencing for child domestic abuse convictions (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 275 (Louisiana) creates a "Domestic Abuse Child Endangerment Law" that increases penalties for domestic abuse battery when a child under 13 is present. The bill mandates a minimum 3-year prison sentence (up to 6 years) for offenders convicted of domestic abuse battery if a minor child 13 or younger was present at the scene. This directly affects individuals convicted of domestic abuse battery in Louisiana where children were present during the incident. The law adds this mandatory sentencing requirement to existing penalties under Louisiana law, without changing the core definition of the crime.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates minimum 3-year prison sentence for domestic abuse battery with child present, increasing mandatory penalties per 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 808: CRIME/SEX OFFENSES: Provides relative to the intentional exposure to HIV (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 808 (Louisiana) amends criminal law to define and penalize intentional HIV exposure without consent. It makes it a crime to knowingly transmit HIV through sexual contact, sharing needles without consent, or other contact posing a "substantial likelihood of transmission" (defined as contact with blood, semen, or vaginal fluid with significant medical risk). The bill specifies higher penalties for exposing first responders (fines up to $6,000, 11 years imprisonment) and includes affirmative defenses if the victim knew of the HIV status and consented, or if medical advice confirmed non-infectious status with disclosure. It also explicitly classifies this offense as a "sex offense" under Louisiana law for sentencing purposes. The bill does not criminalize low-risk conduct, as clarified in Section E.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal penalties for intentional HIV exposure, expanding criminalization and increasing sentences, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanded criminalization.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 152: CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: Adds certain substances to the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 152 adds 13 specific synthetic opioids, including various fentanyl analogs like N-Pyrrolidino metonitazene and Beta-Methylacetyl fentanyl, to Louisiana's Schedule I controlled substances list. This means these substances are now classified as illegal without a prescription, making possession or distribution a criminal offense under state law. The bill directly affects individuals who use or distribute these drugs, as they will face the same legal penalties as other Schedule I substances. The change updates Louisiana's controlled substances law to address emerging synthetic drugs identified through chemical names.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds synthetic opioids to Schedule I, expanding criminalization of possession/distribution without reform measures.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 131: CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to post-conviction relief

HB 131 modifies Louisiana's post-conviction relief process by adding two new restrictions on appeals. It denies relief if a petitioner knew about a claim but failed to raise it during trial (Article 930.4(B)) or raised it in trial but didn’t pursue it on appeal (Article 930.4(C)). The bill also changes custody rules: if relief is granted, the person cannot be released on bail until Louisiana’s Supreme Court finishes reviewing the case (Article 930.5(C)). This directly affects individuals convicted of crimes seeking to overturn their convictions through post-conviction appeals. The law aims to reduce repetitive or incomplete appeals while clarifying custody procedures during appeals.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts post-conviction appeals by denying relief for procedural failures, limiting defendant rights and opposing reform efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 120: DISTRICTS/CRIME PREVENT: Creates the Real Timbers Crime Prevention and Security District in Orleans Parish

HB 120 creates the Real Timbers Crime Prevention and Improvement District in a specific area of New Orleans bounded by Iowa Street, Amazon Street, Delaware Street, Memorial Park Drive, Kansas Street, and Hudson Street. It establishes a local governing board (seven members, including homeowners association leaders and resident appointees) to manage district funds collected through an annual property fee (up to $315 per parcel) approved by voters. The district’s funds must be used exclusively for security patrols, improved lighting, signage, beautification, and other quality-of-life initiatives within its boundaries, supplementing but not replacing city police services. Property owners in the district are directly affected, as they will pay the fee and vote on its continuation. The fee requires voter approval and expires after five years unless renewed by a majority vote.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates local crime prevention district with dedicated funding for community safety, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of proactive crime reduction through community-based initiatives.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 53: GAMBLING: Adds certain gambling crimes as predicate offenses for racketeering (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 53 adds seven specific gambling-related crimes to Louisiana’s list of offenses that can serve as the basis for racketeering charges. It includes violations like operating illegal gambling games (R.S. 14:90), gambling in public (R.S. 14:90.2), computer gambling (R.S. 14:90.3), and bribery of sports participants (R.S. 14:118.1). Prosecutors can now use these gambling crimes as "predicate offenses" to build racketeering cases under Louisiana’s racketeering statute. The bill does not change the gambling laws themselves but expands how gambling violations can be prosecuted under broader organized crime statutes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding gambling offenses to racketeering predicate list, enabling harsher charges under criminal justice framework.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice