This bill allows jurors in Louisiana's Nineteenth Judicial District to voluntarily donate their jury duty pay to the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, which supports children in the court system. The legislation creates a pilot program where jurors can choose to contribute their per diem compensation to CASA during jury orientation, with the court clerk managing the collection and distribution of funds. The bill also ensures that information about participating jurors remains confidential and is not part of public records. This change applies only to the Nineteenth Judicial District and is limited to a two-year trial period.
This bill establishes a two-year pilot program for a Domestic Violence Intervention Court within the Nineteenth Judicial District Court in Louisiana. The program targets defendants convicted of domestic abuse-related offenses who are assessed as at-risk of reoffending, offering them voluntary participation in a specialized court track that combines judicial supervision with treatment and accountability measures. Key provisions include mandatory batterer intervention programming using evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy, regular court appearances, compliance with individualized case plans, and access to services such as mental health screening, substance abuse referrals, and victim safety planning. The court will operate with a coordinated team including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation officers, and victim advocates, while collecting data on recidivism and program outcomes to evaluate effectiveness for potential statewide expansion.
This bill updates Louisiana's Public Defender Act to clarify how public defender funds must be used and to establish a judicial district indigent defender fund for expert witnesses. It requires that all state, local, and fund money be used exclusively for representing public defender clients, while also allowing judicial districts to set aside money for expert witness fees that can be accessed by both public defender clients and indigent individuals who hired private counsel. The legislation also outlines specific factors courts must consider when determining if a person qualifies as indigent, such as income, employment history, and dependents, and prohibits court clerks from charging filing fees for appeals or writ applications by those found to be indigent.
SB 83 requires Louisiana public school boards to adopt human trafficking prevention policies starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Each school must designate at least one employee (a counselor, mental health professional, or administrator) to complete annual training on identifying trafficking indicators, reporting requirements, and victim resources, with the state providing training options. The bill also expands victim services by directing the Department of Children and Family Services to develop coordinated care plans for child and youth trafficking victims, including access to health, housing, and legal support. Charter schools are specifically exempt from most public school mandates but must comply with this training requirement (R.S. 3996(B)(92)). Annual reports on victim services and trafficking investigations will be submitted to the governor’s office and legislature.
This bill amends Louisiana law to impose stricter penalties on individuals who help sex offenders avoid arrest or punishment after a crime has occurred. It directly affects people who harbor, conceal, or assist sex offenders with the intent to help them escape legal consequences. Under the new provisions, anyone convicted of being an accessory to a sex offense must receive a mandatory minimum sentence equal to at least half of the minimum sentence the principal offender would face, with no parole or probation allowed for cases involving life imprisonment. The law also clarifies that accessories can be prosecuted even if the original offender has not yet been caught or tried.
This bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, transfer, and possession of devices used to program or emulate motor vehicle keys and relay attack devices, which intercept key fob signals to unlock or start cars. The law applies to individuals and businesses but includes exceptions for law enforcement, insurance investigators, licensed automotive professionals, locksmiths, and repossession agencies. Authorized users must report lost or stolen devices to law enforcement within 48 hours, with violations punishable by fines up to $1,000 or up to six months in prison. The legislation aims to prevent unauthorized access to vehicles while allowing legitimate professionals to continue their work.
HB 251 requires Louisiana trial courts to hold a "contradictory hearing" and allow victims (or their families if the victim is deceased or disabled) to make a statement before granting any motion to vacate a final conviction or resentence an imprisoned person to a lesser sentence. The bill mandates that courts provide written notice of such motions to victims and their families, ensuring they can participate in the process. Any motion granted without this hearing or notice is automatically void, and pending appeals may be remanded for the court to consider the victim's input. This bill directly affects victims of crimes and their families in criminal resentencing cases, adding a procedural step to protect their right to be heard.
HB 245 amends Louisiana law to establish specific procedures for medical parole and medical treatment furloughs. It requires the parole committee to notify the district attorney and attorney general at least 90 days before a parole hearing and 30 days before a medical parole hearing, allowing them to review offender records and present testimony. The bill also mandates that victims or their next of kin receive written notice at least 90 days before parole hearings and 30 days before medical parole hearings, explaining their rights. Additionally, it adds provisions for medical parole eligibility for permanently disabled or terminally ill offenders, while updating parole ineligibility rules for offenses committed after August 1, 2024. These changes primarily affect incarcerated individuals seeking medical parole, prosecutors, and crime victims.
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.
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.
