Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

passed · Louisiana · House Jun 3, 2026

HR 322: CRIME/HOMICIDE: Creates the Task Force on Sentencing for Second Degree Murder

This bill amends a resolution to establish a Task Force on Sentencing for Second Degree Murder in Louisiana by adding the president of the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as a member. The key provision inserts a specific line item to include this legal representative in the group tasked with reviewing sentencing practices for this specific crime. Directly affected parties include the task force members who will conduct the review and the broader criminal justice system in the state. The legislation does not change existing laws or sentencing guidelines but rather creates a committee to study and potentially recommend changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill adds a criminal defense lawyer to a sentencing task force, enhancing oversight and balancing perspectives in criminal justice reform.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 1234: CRIMINAL/PENALTIES: Provides relative to penalties for hit-and-run driving (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

This bill amends Louisiana laws to increase penalties for hit-and-run driving when the accident results in death or serious injury. It specifically targets drivers who flee the scene after causing harm, with stricter sentences applied if the victim is a pedestrian or bicyclist. Under the new provisions, offenders face longer prison terms that must be served without parole, probation, or suspension of sentence, particularly if the driver has a prior record of drunk driving or vehicular homicide. The legislation also establishes that drivers who previously committed certain traffic offenses will receive even harsher mandatory minimum sentences for repeat hit-and-run incidents.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory prison terms without parole for hit-and-run offenses, expanding criminalization and restricting defendant rights.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by increasing penalties for hit-and-run incidents, protecting vulnerable road users.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing Pedestrian Safety

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

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 991: CRIMINAL/SENTENCING: Provides relative to sentencing guidelines

This bill updates Louisiana's sentencing guidelines to include a new factor that courts must consider when deciding whether to grant probation or suspend a sentence. It allows judges to weigh a defendant's history of being a victim of domestic abuse, human trafficking, child trafficking, or sexual assault if there is a clear connection between that victimization and the current crime. When a court finds this connection exists, it must also order a presentence investigation before making sentencing decisions. The bill also adds a general provision for courts to consider any other relevant mitigating circumstances in their sentencing determinations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill introduces victimization history as a sentencing factor, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism for victims of abuse, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Probation & Parole Sentencing

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signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 410: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Provides enhanced penalties for accessories after the fact to sex offenses. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by imposing stricter penalties on accessories to sex offenses, enhancing accountability and deterrence.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

passed · Louisiana · House May 27, 2026

HB 1090: CRIMINAL/PENALTIES: Provides relative to sentencing for arson of a religious building (EG SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

This bill increases penalties for committing arson against religious buildings in Louisiana. It directly affects individuals charged with setting fire to places of worship and law enforcement officials who prosecute such cases. The law establishes minimum prison sentences of two years without parole for simple arson, with a maximum of 30 years, and sets higher penalties of 12 to 30 years without parole if the fire causes injury or death. These provisions apply to anyone convicted of the crime under the amended state statutes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory prison sentences for arson, expanding criminalization and reducing judicial discretion, which opposes criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Sentencing

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 491: PAROLE: Provides for parole eligibility (OR SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

HB 491 modifies Louisiana's parole eligibility rules for individuals serving life sentences. It requires life-sentence inmates to meet eight specific conditions to qualify for parole consideration, including serving at least 25 years, having no violent or sex offense convictions, completing mandatory programming (100+ hours), substance abuse treatment if applicable, educational/job training, a low-risk assessment, and a reentry program. The bill directly affects life-sentence inmates who meet all these criteria, regardless of whether they were convicted as juveniles or adults. It does not change sentencing but sets clear, measurable requirements for parole eligibility. The bill is currently in early legislative review stages.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates rehabilitation programs and structured criteria for parole, advancing reform to reduce recidivism and improve reentry outcomes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 343: PARDON/PAROLE: Provides relative to parole eligibility (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 343 creates parole eligibility in Louisiana for individuals who were 18-20 years old at the time of committing their offense and are serving 30+ year sentences. To qualify, they must have served 25 years, have no major disciplinary issues in the prior 36 months, complete 100 hours of prerelease programming, substance abuse treatment (if applicable), and one of several educational or job skills programs, while also receiving a low-risk assessment and completing a reentry program. The bill specifically applies to first-time offenders with no prior sex offenses or life imprisonment convictions. It establishes concrete, measurable requirements for parole consideration rather than altering sentencing laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates parole eligibility for young offenders after 25 years with rehab requirements, promoting rehabilitation and reducing long-term incarceration - key criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 84: CRIME/FELONIES: Designates felony hit-and-run driving as a crime of violence (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 84 reclassifies certain felony hit-and-run driving offenses as "crimes of violence" under Louisiana law. Specifically, it designates hit-and-run driving causing injury or death (as defined in R.S. 14:100(C)(2) or (3)) as a crime of violence, directly affecting drivers convicted of these specific hit-and-run cases. The bill requires courts to formally label these offenses as "crimes of violence" in sentencing records (per Code of Criminal Procedure Article 890.3(C)(28)) and prevents them from qualifying for minimum sentence waivers (per Article 890.1(D)(35)). This change ensures these cases receive mandatory sentencing considerations as violent crimes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReclassifies hit-and-run causing injury/death as 'crime of violence,' increasing mandatory sentencing and penalties per Louisiana law.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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signed · Louisiana · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 111: CRIMINAL/SENTENCING: Provides relative to diminution of sentence for the earning of an associate's degree (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 111 would allow incarcerated individuals in Louisiana to earn an additional 90 days of credit toward their parole supervision date if they obtain an associate's degree from a regionally accredited, department-approved educational institution while serving their sentence. This policy directly affects people in Louisiana state prisons who complete such a degree program. The key provision adds this specific credit to existing good time calculations under Louisiana law, reducing the time they must serve under parole supervision. The bill does not alter prison sentences but shortens the parole period for eligible individuals who earn the degree.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows sentence reduction for prison education, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - directly advancing criminal justice reform through rehabilitation incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing