This bill proposes a constitutional amendment in Louisiana that would allow the governor to recommend suspending or removing district attorneys and certain judges (district, juvenile, family, or municipal courts) for malfeasance, gross misconduct, or incompetence. If the governor recommends suspension, the Senate must approve it with a two-thirds vote; for removal, the Senate would hold a trial and require a two-thirds vote to remove the official. Removed officials would be permanently barred from holding any judicial office in Louisiana. The amendment requires voter approval in the April 2027 election and is currently pending committee review.
HB 67 amends Louisiana law to require removal of personal information for individuals recognized as "protected" (such as victims of certain crimes or abuse) from public records maintained by the secretary of state and district clerks. It directly affects these protected individuals by ensuring their personal details - like addresses or contact information - are not left publicly accessible online or in physical court files. The bill mandates that offices must proactively remove such information from publicly posted records, rather than allowing individuals to opt out of removal. This creates a concrete policy change to enhance privacy for vulnerable groups in government databases.
HB 138 amends Louisiana law to regulate the Parkwood Terrace Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Improvement District in East Baton Rouge Parish. It sets a yearly parcel fee for residential properties within the district between $100 and $150, requiring initial voter approval and allowing a 10% annual increase without new votes (but not exceeding the $150 cap). The fee must be supplemental to city and parish law enforcement services, expires after 10 years (with possible renewal), and cannot be combined with other fees to exceed the $150 limit. This directly affects property owners in the Parkwood Terrace district by establishing clear rules for funding neighborhood safety initiatives.
This bill, known as the Louisiana Behind the Counter Protection Act, strengthens penalties for crimes committed against employees working at retail and food service counters, drive-through windows, or similar customer service points. It increases the maximum fines and prison sentences for simple assault and battery when the victim is an employee performing their duties at a regulated establishment. Additionally, the law requires businesses to display a specific warning sign informing the public that workplace violence against these employees is a crime. The act defines workplace violence broadly to include physical attacks, threats, intimidation, and verbal abuse directed at staff while they are on the job.
SB 92 requires Louisiana district attorney offices to submit information about sexual assault collection kits to a statewide tracking system by July 1, 2024. This mandate applies to all relevant entities, including law enforcement and healthcare providers handling these kits, to ensure consistent tracking of evidence. The law also requires the state police to report on implementation progress, including phased rollout plans, to legislative committees and the governor by January 1, 2024. The system aims to improve transparency and coordination in handling sexual assault cases, with the bill taking effect August 1, 2026.
HB 168 establishes a structured transitional reentry program in Louisiana for female parolees, administered by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. It directly affects women who have served at least five years in prison, have no sex offense convictions, are within six months of release, have no recent disciplinary issues, and voluntarily agree to participate. The program aims to support their safe community reintegration through tailored preparation, requiring parole eligibility and adherence to department-established screening. This policy creates a formal pathway for eligible female parolees to access reentry services before release.
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.
HB 263 allows the magistrate judge of Louisiana's Fourteenth Judicial District Court to preside over specialty court programs and fully handle related felony charges, subject to approval by the district court's judges. It defines "specialty court" to include programs like drug courts, Veterans Court, mental health courts, DWI courts, reentry courts, and domestic abuse courts. This bill directly affects the magistrate judge's authority and specialty court participants by expanding their role in adjudicating felony cases within these specialized programs.
HB 55 prohibits the public disclosure of jurors' personal information, such as names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, images, or likenesses, to protect juror privacy and safety. It allows courts to disclose such information only if a person demonstrates "good cause" and the court approves, while permitting courts to limit disclosures to safeguard juror identity. Violating this prohibition carries penalties of up to $1,000 fines, six months in jail, or both. The bill specifically exempts these privacy protections from Louisiana's public records laws, ensuring juror details remain confidential unless court-approved.
SB 313 prohibits Louisiana county clerks of court from charging additional fees for electronic filings in criminal cases, including related service fees. This directly affects criminal defendants, their attorneys, and court staff who use electronic filing systems for criminal matters. The bill amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to ensure no extra charges are assessed beyond standard filing costs for electronic submissions in criminal cases.
