Criminal Justice

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

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 58: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Imposes a mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated flight from a law enforcement officer. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 58 imposes mandatory minimum sentences for "aggravated flight" from law enforcement officers in Louisiana. It requires a minimum one-year prison term (without parole or early release) for fleeing police, increasing to two years if the flight causes serious injury. The bill also mandates that fines from these offenses must fund police pursuit training or safety technology, not general agency budgets. Additionally, it requires insurance proceeds related to such crimes to follow existing legal handling rules. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of fleeing police and changes how related fines are used by law enforcement agencies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates fines fund police training/safety tech (not general budgets), promoting fiscal responsibility through targeted revenue allocation for public safety programs.95% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory minimum sentences (1-2 years) without parole for fleeing police, increasing penalties and aligning with tough-on-crime policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 93: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Establishes minimum bond amounts for certain offenses. (8/1/26)

SB 93 establishes minimum bail amounts for two specific offenses under Louisiana law: $50,000 for possession of child sexual abuse materials (R.S. 14:81.1) and $100,000 for production of such materials. This bill directly affects defendants charged with these offenses and Louisiana district courts, which must set bail at or above these minimums. The key provision requires courts using a bail schedule to enforce these fixed minimums, though judges may adjust bail higher for "good cause" under limited circumstances, such as rearrest on new charges.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates minimum bail for serious offenses, restricting pretrial release and reducing defendant rights without reform provisions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 199: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Imposes a mandatory minimum sentence for a second offense of purchasing commercial sexual activity. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF RV)

SB 199 imposes mandatory minimum prison sentences for second and subsequent offenses related to prostitution in Louisiana. For a second conviction of purchasing commercial sexual activity, offenders face at least six months in prison (with no parole eligibility for that period), plus fines of $1,500-$2,000. Similarly, second or subsequent solicitation offenses require a minimum six-month prison term (with no parole eligibility) and the same fines. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of these specific repeat offenses, with half of collected fines directed to a state fund under R.S. 15:539.4.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory minimum sentences for prostitution offenses, expanding criminalization and reducing parole eligibility - directly contradicts reform-focused criminal justice policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 207: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Provides 10-year time limitation on prosecution of certain crimes committed by elected officials and public employees. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

SB 207 removes time limits for prosecuting certain serious misconduct by elected officials and public employees while they are serving in office or employment. It eliminates the statute of limitations for six specific offenses committed during their tenure, including abuse of office, bribery of candidates/voters, corrupt influencing, malfeasance, and public bribery. This means prosecutors can bring charges for these crimes at any time during the individual's term or employment period, without being restricted by typical time limits. The bill directly affects Louisiana elected officials (like mayors or council members) and public employees who commit these offenses while performing their duties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves statute of limitations for public official misconduct (abuse of office, bribery), enhancing accountability in criminal justice system.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 635: CRIME: Provides relative to criminal activity committed by an agent of a foreign adversary or an agent of a foreign terrorist organization (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 635 creates new Louisiana laws to protect residents from foreign agents who attempt to control their behavior using foreign laws or threats. It defines "agents of foreign adversaries" (like government-linked entities) and "transnational repression" (such as coercion or retaliation for exercising free speech, religion, or assembly rights). The bill makes it a crime for these agents to coerce people into actions violating constitutional rights or retaliate for such actions, imposing enhanced penalties on top of the underlying offense. It also declares that courts cannot enforce foreign law decisions that deny constitutional rights protected under U.S. or Louisiana law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates criminal penalties to protect constitutional rights against foreign coercion, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice reform.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 296: CORRECTIONS: Repeals the Reentry Advisory Council and Offender Rehabilitation Workforce Development Act (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF RV)

HB 296 repeals Louisiana’s Reentry Advisory Council and the Offender Rehabilitation Workforce Development Act (specifically R.S. 15:1199.1-1199.16 and R.S. 13:5401(B)(1)(a)). This bill removes legal requirements for the advisory council, data collection on inmate workforce programs, and references to the Reentry Advisory Council in statutes governing work release programs (e.g., R.S. 15:827, 1113) and the Louisiana Work Opportunity Tax Credit (R.S. 47:287.750). It directly affects correctional workforce development programs, state agencies managing inmate work programs, and businesses participating in work release initiatives. The repeal eliminates the council’s role and related administrative criteria, though work release programs themselves remain referenced under other statutes.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRepeals Louisiana Work Opportunity Tax Credit statute (R.S. 47:287.750), defunding a tax relief program.95% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals mandatory offender rehabilitation programs and advisory council, eliminating workforce development requirements for inmates per repealed statutes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 58: BAIL: Restricts post-conviction bail for certain offenders (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

HB 58 restricts bail for certain convicted individuals in Louisiana. It prohibits bail after conviction for capital offenses (like murder) and for specific violent sex crimes against minors (defined as offenses requiring registration under state law). The bill creates a strong legal presumption against releasing these offenders, meaning courts cannot grant bail unless they prove the person poses no danger to others or risk of fleeing. This directly affects people convicted of these serious crimes who would otherwise seek bail before sentencing or final judgment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts bail for serious offenders, reducing defendant rights and increasing incarceration, opposing reform-focused criminal justice approaches.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

passed · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HB 1107: CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to determination of intellectual disability in capital cases

This bill establishes clear legal standards for determining intellectual disability in Louisiana capital cases, affecting defendants facing the death penalty and those seeking post-conviction relief. It defines intellectual disability as having an IQ of 70 or below, significant deficits in adaptive behavior, and both conditions manifesting before age 18. The law requires defendants to prove intellectual disability by a preponderance of the evidence during sentencing hearings, while post-conviction petitioners must provide clear and convincing evidence. Additionally, the bill creates an irrebuttable presumption that a petitioner does not have intellectual disability if they score above 75 on a standardized IQ test administered by a licensed professional.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes clear standards for intellectual disability in capital cases, protecting defendants' rights and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HB 51: BAIL: (Constitutional Amendment) Restricts post-conviction bail for certain offenders (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

HB 51 proposes a constitutional amendment to Louisiana's Constitution that would prohibit bail after a conviction for certain offenses. Specifically, it would ban bail for defendants convicted of an "aggravated offense" (as defined in state law) committed against a minor victim. This change would apply only after a conviction and before sentencing or final judgment, affecting individuals found guilty of these specific crimes against children. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 election to take effect.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBans bail after conviction for crimes against minors, reducing defendant rights and increasing punitive measures per indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice