Criminal Justice (Corrections)

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

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Sentencing

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 429: CRIME/THEFT: Adds theft or unauthorized entry of a critical infrastructure as a predicate crime for terrorism (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 429 adds theft or unauthorized entry of oil and gas facilities - including drilling, production, transportation, and storage equipment - as a specific act that qualifies as terrorism under Louisiana law. It directly affects individuals who steal or trespass at these facilities by making such acts punishable as terrorism, not just theft. The bill defines "critical infrastructure" to explicitly include oil and gas operations and sets a minimum 20-year prison sentence for terrorism convictions involving these facilities. This amendment changes the legal classification of such crimes, increasing penalties for offenses previously treated as theft.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of theft at oil/gas facilities as terrorism with 20+ year mandatory sentences, increasing penalties and restricting defendant rights.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProtects oil and gas infrastructure (a core energy production sector) by classifying theft as terrorism, strengthening security for critical energy facilities.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly targets theft of oil/gas transportation infrastructure as terrorism, strengthening protection of transportation assets through criminal penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Oil & Gas

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 132: CRIME/BATTERY: Provides relative to battery (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

HB 132 clarifies that intentionally directing loud sounds (like bullhorns, air horns, or amplified speakers) at a police officer’s head or ear within three feet - under circumstances likely to cause pain or hearing injury - counts as battery. It defines "close proximity" as within three feet of an officer’s ear/head and specifies that using acoustic devices to target an officer meets this standard. The bill increases penalties for battery committed by two or more people acting together or causing injuries requiring medical care, with sentences up to 7 years in prison for the most severe cases. This law directly affects individuals who use loud devices near officers, expanding what constitutes a criminal offense under Louisiana’s battery statutes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for battery against officers using loud devices, expanding criminalization of protest tactics targeting law enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 568: CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: Provides relative to penalty enhancements for violations of drug free school zones (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 568 increases penalties for drug offenses near schools in Louisiana. It directly affects individuals who sell, use, or vape drugs on school property, within 2,000 feet of school grounds, or on school buses. Key provisions include doubling fines, adding mandatory prison time (up to 1 year) without parole or probation for certain violations, and requiring fines up to $1,000. The bill modifies existing drug laws to strengthen enforcement in school zones.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory prison time and doubles fines for drug offenses near schools, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per bill provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Probation & Parole

in committee · Louisiana · House May 20, 2026

HB 255: CRIMINAL/PENALTIES: Provides relative to wearing masks in public (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 255 adds a mandatory two-year prison sentence for individuals convicted of specific violent or property crimes while wearing a mask, hood, or facial disguise to conceal their identity. It directly affects people convicted of offenses like aggravated assault on police, arson, vandalism, looting, or rioting when masked during the crime. The bill targets 40 listed offenses under Louisiana law, including crimes against officers, critical infrastructure, and public safety. It does not ban mask-wearing generally but increases penalties for masked perpetrators of these specific crimes. The law applies only when the mask-wearing was intentional to hide the offender's identity during the commission of the listed offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates two-year prison sentence for masked crimes, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization, opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing Violent Crime

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

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Sentencing

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 133: CRIME/BATTERY: Provides relative to certain battery offenses against school employees (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

This Louisiana bill creates a specific offense for battery against school teachers, defined as battery committed when the perpetrator knows the victim is a teacher or targets them due to their job. It sets harsher penalties for non-student offenders (up to 5 years in jail or $5,000 fine) versus students (up to 1.5 years jail with 72 hours mandatory for minor cases, or up to 1 year for injuries requiring medical care). Juvenile offenders under 17 are handled under the Children's Code, requiring court-approved counseling (costs borne by the family) and secure detention for teens 14+ who commit this crime. The law applies to all school teachers during work duties and modifies juvenile court procedures for such offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates specific offense with harsher penalties for battery against teachers, expanding criminalization and increasing sentences beyond standard battery charges.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects teachers from assault with enhanced penalties, directly supporting educator safety in schools per bill's explicit focus on teacher-targeted battery offenses.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases penalties for battery against teachers (workplace safety), protecting workers from assault in professional environment per job targeting.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Juvenile Justice School Safety Teachers

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

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Sentencing

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 102: CRIME: Creates the crime of second degree cruelty to the elderly and persons with infirmities (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 102 creates a new criminal offense for "second degree cruelty to elderly and persons with infirmities," targeting intentional or negligent mistreatment causing serious injury to vulnerable individuals. It directly affects caregivers - including family members, neighbors, nursing homes, and care facilities - and applies to elderly people (60+), those with disabilities, or individuals in residential care settings. Key provisions define the crime, set penalties of up to 40 years in prison (with a mandatory minimum of 5 years if death occurs), and include an affirmative defense for spiritual healing methods. The bill also designates this offense as a "crime of violence" under Louisiana law, impacting sentencing in related cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new crime with up to 40-year penalties, expanding criminalization. Aligns with 'oppose' indicators (increases criminalization, expands sentencing) without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Corrections Probation & Parole