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 231: DOMESTIC ABUSE: Adds intentional evasion of service of process for certain court orders as conduct that constitutes a violation of a protective order

HB 231 creates a new criminal offense for intentionally avoiding service of specific court orders, directly affecting individuals who evade legal notices related to protective orders, custody cases, or other civil/criminal proceedings. The bill makes it a violation to deliberately skip being served with orders issued under laws covering domestic violence (R.S. 9:361 et seq.), child custody (R.S. 28:53.2), or certain civil/criminal court processes (e.g., Code of Civil Procedure Articles 3601 or 3607.1). Key provisions define which orders trigger this crime and establish criminal penalties for intentional evasion, rather than focusing on the underlying order's content. This policy change adds a criminal consequence for avoiding court-ordered notices, targeting a specific behavior without altering the substantive requirements of the covered orders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for evading court orders, expanding criminalization without reform measures or defendant protections.95% 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 · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 106: PUBLIC RECORDS: Provides that certain photographs, audio or video recordings, digital images regarding a crime scene or used in a criminal prosecution are not public records available for release or to be copied except by clerk of court or a court order. (8/1/26)

SB 106 makes certain crime scene photographs, videos (including body camera footage), audio recordings, and digital images confidential under Louisiana law. It directly affects law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, coroners, and other public bodies that collect or maintain such evidence used in criminal cases. The bill prohibits these materials from being released as public records, except when a court specifically orders disclosure. This change applies to all media depicting crime scenes, evidence, or victims' bodies that may be used in criminal proceedings, regardless of who created or holds the material. The law ensures these sensitive materials remain confidential without a judicial order.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts public access to crime scene evidence, weakening law enforcement oversight and transparency in criminal cases.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts public access to digital crime scene evidence, enhancing data privacy protections for sensitive digital records.95% 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 · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 46: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Creates the crime of unlawful operation of a group home. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 46 creates a new criminal offense for operating an unlicensed group home in Louisiana. It directly affects individuals or entities managing homes that house two or more non-related people needing daily living assistance, without proper state or local licensing. The bill defines key terms (like "operator" and "unlicensed group home") and sets tiered penalties: fines up to $1,000 or 6 months in jail for basic violations; up to $10,000 or 10 years in prison (with 1 year mandatory) for conditions causing harm; and 5-40 years in prison (with 3 years mandatory) if conditions contribute to a resident's death. These penalties are triggered by specific evidence of control, such as power of attorney over residents' assets or handling their government benefits.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense with mandatory prison time, expanding criminalization of unlicensed group home operations without reform indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 51: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Creates the crime of fraudulent representation of military service or awards. (8/1/26)

SB 51 creates a new criminal offense for falsely claiming military service or awards to gain benefits. It directly affects individuals who lie about receiving military honors (like medals or service records) to obtain economic advantages, veteran benefits, or privileges. The bill establishes tiered penalties: up to $1,000 or 6 months in jail for basic false claims, up to $5,000 or 1 year for falsely claiming major awards (e.g., Medal of Honor), and up to $10,000, 5 years in prison, or restitution for fraud that secures benefits reserved for veterans or their families. Definitions clarify that "award" includes medals, ribbons, and official service records maintained by military or state forces.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense with tiered penalties, expanding criminalization of false military service claims rather than reforming justice system.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill prevents fraud in veteran benefits, protecting legitimate recipients and system integrity by penalizing false claims of military service.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 69: DWI: Provides relative to ignition interlock device offenses

HB 69 clarifies restrictions for individuals required to use ignition interlock devices (IIDs) as part of DWI-related probation or legal conditions. The bill specifically prohibits these individuals from operating, leasing, or borrowing any vehicle without a functioning IID installed (per R.S. 14:334(A)(1)), and bans them from asking others to blow into the device or start the vehicle to bypass the requirement (per R.S. 14:334(A)(2)). It directly affects DWI offenders subject to IID mandates under Louisiana law. The bill amends existing provisions in R.S. 14:334(A) and references relevant sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure. This is a procedural clarification of current enforcement standards, not a new policy change.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnforces strict IID compliance to reduce DWI recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of preventing repeat offenses through accountability measures.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice