Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 994: CRIMINAL/RESTITUTION: Provides relative to the payment of restitution from offenders convicted of vehicular homicide under certain circumstances

This bill allows courts to order restitution payments to the minor children of victims in vehicular homicide cases, ensuring financial support until the child turns eighteen. It establishes that restitution amounts should be calculated based on the deceased parent's lost income using existing state guidelines. The law also outlines how payments will be enforced, including provisions for defendants released from prison or placed in work release programs to begin payments within one year. Additionally, the bill clarifies that any civil judgment against the offender can include these restitution deductions and permits indigent defendants to enter payment plans.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by ensuring victim restitution in vehicular homicide cases, promoting accountability and financial support for victims' families.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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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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signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 422: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Provides for unsupervised probation in certain circumstances for fourth offense operating while impaired. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

This bill modifies Louisiana's penalties for a fourth offense of driving while impaired by allowing courts to order unsupervised probation in certain cases. It requires offenders to complete treatment programs, drug division probation, or supervised probation after release from incarceration, with the probation period lasting until the original sentence ends or for twenty years, whichever is longer. Additionally, the bill authorizes prosecutors to request the seizure and auction of vehicles used during the offense. These changes directly affect repeat offenders charged with operating a vehicle while impaired and aim to balance rehabilitation with accountability through structured probation requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows unsupervised probation for certain OWI cases requiring treatment programs, indicating rehabilitation focus and potential recidivism reduction.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

passed · Louisiana · House May 19, 2026

HB 985: SEX OFFENSE/REGISTRY: Provides relative to identification procedures for sex offenders (EG1 +$200,000 SG EX See Note)

This bill requires sex offenders in Louisiana to carry identification documents that clearly mark them as such, including QR codes and orange "sex offender" text on both driver's licenses and special identification cards. The law mandates that these individuals renew their identification annually at a motor vehicle office, where they must verify their registration information including address and employer details before receiving a new card or license. Anyone who intentionally fails to comply with these requirements faces fines of up to $500 or up to six months in jail, and the provisions apply to all registered sex offenders regardless of when their conviction occurred.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes additional restrictions on sex offenders by requiring identification with visible markings and annual verification, limiting their privacy and mobility rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 458: CORRECTIONS/PRISONERS: Provides relative to inmates who participate in work release programs (EG SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

HB 458 modifies Louisiana's work release program rules for inmates, directly affecting incarcerated individuals participating in approved work programs. It requires that inmates pay no more than 33% of their gross wages toward room, board, and basic expenses, with all remaining earnings disbursed in a specific order: first for the inmate's basic needs, then travel and employment costs, dependents' support, court-ordered debts, and finally the leftover balance to the inmate. The bill also clarifies eligibility, allowing certain inmates convicted of serious offenses (like rape, armed robbery, or drug trafficking) to participate only in the final months of their sentences after meeting minimum service requirements. All wages must be paid at standard rates for similar work, and funds are managed by the sheriff with strict disbursement rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill ensures inmates retain 67% of wages for basic needs/dependents, promoting financial stability and reducing recidivism through rehabilitation-focused work programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Law Enforcement

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in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 373: SHERIFFS: Provides relative to state inmates housed in a parish jail or institution and establishes criteria for additional per diem funding. (gov sig)

SB 373 requires Louisiana's Department of Public Safety and Corrections to pay parish sheriffs or jail operators a daily fee (currently $25.39) for housing state inmates in local jails when state facilities are unavailable or court orders delay transfer. It also establishes a new Transitional Workforce and Vocational Training Pilot Program within the department, providing job training in high-demand trades to inmates held in parish custody. The bill sets criteria for future funding increases tied to jail safety, sanitation, facility upgrades, and reporting requirements. This directly affects parish sheriffs (who receive payments) and inmates held in local jails instead of state facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state funding for inmate housing per diem and establishes criteria for new program funding, directly allocating budget resources to public safety services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes vocational training for inmates in parish custody, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes vocational training for inmates in parish custody, directly advancing workforce development and employment standards through job training in high-demand trades.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Workforce Development

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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

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 773: PROCUREMENT: Establishes priorities and requirements for purchases by the state and participating local governments from certain providers including prison enterprises and nonprofits assisting persons with disabilities. (EG NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 773 requires Louisiana state agencies and local governments to prioritize purchasing goods and services from prison enterprises (like prison-manufactured products) and nonprofits assisting people with disabilities, when prices are competitive with standard procurement. It sets specific pricing rules: prison-made items must cost no more than the lowest cooperative purchasing price, while disability nonprofit services must match quality and pricing of alternatives. The bill exempts these purchases from standard competitive bidding requirements and establishes a council within the Department of Health to coordinate these programs. This directly affects state/local buyers, prison industries, and disability-focused nonprofits by creating new procurement pathways.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates state procurement from prison enterprises, supporting inmate rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through work opportunities in corrections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · Louisiana · House May 19, 2026

HB 778: CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: Provides with respect to the possession of Kratom (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 778 regulates kratom in Louisiana by banning possession, production, and distribution of natural kratom products (defined as substances from *Mitragyna speciosa* leaves or containing 7-hydroxymitragynine/mitragynine). It sets penalties based on quantity: fines up to $50,000 and up to 5 years in prison for large-scale distribution, while small personal possession (under 20g) incurs minor fines. The bill also targets synthetic kratom derivatives by prohibiting products exceeding specific chemical limits (e.g., >2% 7-hydroxymitragynine per serving) or containing synthetically altered compounds, with stricter penalties for synthetic products. This directly affects anyone selling, producing, or possessing kratom products in Louisiana. The bill is pending legislative action as of its 2026 filing.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBans kratom possession/distribution with penalties, expanding criminalization of substance use, opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 479: CRIMINAL/JUSTICE: Creates the Fiscal Truth in Sentencing Act (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 479, the Fiscal Truth in Sentencing Act, requires Louisiana district clerks of court to provide quarterly reports to the legislative auditor containing sentencing data, including the number of sentences and total confinement years per judge, excluding traffic cases. It specifically mandates reporting on juvenile cases sentenced to incarceration (20+ years) starting in 2026. The legislative auditor uses this data, combined with annual budget figures from criminal justice agencies, to create annual reports projecting five-year incarceration costs and average per-person costs. This law aims to improve budget transparency for the criminal justice system by standardizing data collection and reporting.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires sentencing data transparency for juvenile cases (20+ years), enhancing oversight in criminal justice through legislative audit of sentencing practices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing

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