HB 52 changes Louisiana's rules for misdemeanor trials by requiring jury trials for most offenses with penalties exceeding $1,000 in fines or six months in jail. Prosecutors may designate certain misdemeanors as "non-jury" trials (heard by a judge alone), but only if the original law doesn't specify hard labor, and these cases are capped at $1,000 fines or six months in parish jail. The bill applies retroactively to June 8, 2025, and takes effect upon gubernatorial approval. It directly affects defendants charged with misdemeanors where prosecutors choose the non-jury option.
This bill designates a segment of Louisiana Highway 163 in Webster Parish as the "Sergeant William 'Billy' Earl Collins, Jr., Memorial Highway" to honor a fallen law enforcement officer. The legislation requires the Department of Transportation and Development to install and maintain signs for this designation, provided that local or private funding covers the costs of materials and installation. The bill applies specifically to the stretch of road between Green Tree Street and Watson Road in the town of Doyline. Implementation of the signage is contingent upon receiving sufficient funds to cover expenses up to a limit of $750 per sign.
HB 92 updates Louisiana's rape laws by adding a new circumstance for first-degree rape: when the victim cannot resist due to the offender's force overpowering their ability to resist. It revises indictment forms to specifically include "forcible or second degree rape" as a charge and modifies jury verdict options for first-degree rape cases, removing "oral sexual battery" as a separate offense. The bill repeals the existing crime of oral sexual battery (R.S. 14:43.3) and makes technical adjustments to related legal provisions. These changes directly affect how prosecutors charge rape cases and how juries determine verdicts in court.
SB 87 clarifies and standardizes the definition of "commercial sexual activity" across Louisiana's human trafficking and child trafficking laws. It defines this term as any sexual act performed when something of value (like money or goods) is exchanged, including the creation or sharing of child sexual abuse materials. This change directly affects law enforcement and prosecutors handling trafficking cases by creating a consistent legal standard for charging offenses under both R.S. 14:46.2 and 14:46.3. The bill ensures the same definition applies to both adult human trafficking and child trafficking for sexual purposes, removing potential ambiguity in prosecution.
SB 118 requires courts to screen all misdemeanor DUI offenders (first and second offenses) for substance use disorder risk as part of probation conditions. It mandates using evidence-based screening tools validated for impaired driving, with results kept confidential and shared directly with the court, prosecutors, and defense counsel. If screening indicates risk, courts may order a full assessment by a licensed clinician to determine if a substance use disorder diagnosis exists. This policy applies to both first and second offense DUI cases under Louisiana law, focusing on early intervention rather than altering penalties.
HB 336 establishes new rules for inmates seeking post-conviction relief after federal habeas corpus proceedings are stayed to allow exhaustion of state remedies. It requires petitioners to submit unexhausted claims to Louisiana state district courts within 30 days, proving they had good cause for not raising the claim earlier, that the claim isn't frivolous, and they avoided delaying tactics. Applications failing to meet these requirements face automatic dismissal. The bill mandates expedited review by state courts and prioritized handling by the Louisiana Supreme Court for these claims.
SB 278 requires individuals in Louisiana to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle before their driver's license can be reinstated after a suspension for driving under the influence (DUI). It specifically applies to drivers suspended for DUI with a breathalyzer test result of 0.08% blood alcohol or higher, within ten years of a prior DUI arrest. The bill amends state law to make this device installation mandatory as a condition for regaining driving privileges. This policy change directly affects repeat DUI offenders seeking to return to driving after a suspension.
This bill updates Louisiana laws to allow electronic access to videotaped statements of protected persons, such as child victims, during criminal cases. It permits the district attorney to provide digital copies to defense attorneys, courts, and other legally authorized individuals while ensuring the defendant's constitutional rights are protected. The legislation explicitly prohibits self-represented defendants from accessing these electronic copies and maintains the requirement that physical copies be produced at trial. Additionally, the bill clarifies that these provisions do not limit a defendant's right to confront witnesses in court. These changes aim to modernize how evidence is shared while preserving existing legal safeguards.
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.
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.
