Criminal Justice (Courts)

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 1034: CRIME: Authorizes the establishment of temporary protection zones (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

This bill creates a new legal framework allowing local government leaders like mayors, parish presidents, or police chiefs to establish temporary protection zones for public safety. These zones can cover roads, shorelines, or other areas and must be announced in writing with clear boundaries, reasons for the restriction, and effective times, while also being publicly notified and filed with the court clerk. The zones can last up to 72 hours and may be renewed if safety concerns persist, with violations punishable by fines, jail time, or hard labor depending on the severity of the offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances public safety through temporary protection zones, strengthening law enforcement capabilities and community security measures.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Policing

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1070: CRIMINAL/JUSTICE: Provides relative to the Trial Court Case Management Information Fund (EN SEE FISC NOTE SD RV)

This bill requires courts to charge defendants an additional three-dollar fee, reduced to one dollar in smaller municipalities, to fund a trial court case management information system. The money collected is placed in a special state fund managed by the judicial administrator, which can only be used to develop and maintain computer systems that help judges, clerks, law enforcement, and other officials manage criminal and juvenile justice cases more efficiently. The bill also establishes the administrator's role in coordinating with policy boards and conducting compliance checks to ensure the fees are properly collected and spent.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds trial court case management systems to improve efficiency in criminal and juvenile justice case handling for judges, clerks, and law enforcement.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds development and maintenance of computer systems for court case management, directly supporting technology infrastructure in the justice system.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

passed · Louisiana · House Mar 19, 2026

HR 31: COMMENDATIONS: Commends Chief Judge Ree Casey Jones and Caddo Juvenile Court on the achievements of S.T.A.R. Court, Louisiana's first specialized court against human trafficking

This bill is a commendation resolution that recognizes Chief Judge Ree Casey Jones and the Caddo Juvenile Court for their work on S.T.A.R. Court, Louisiana's first specialized court focused on human trafficking. The resolution highlights the development of a multi-disciplinary team that creates trauma-informed service plans for at-risk youth and trafficking victims, and notes that this model has been replicated across other parishes in the state. It formally expresses appreciation for the efforts to support and protect at-risk youth through specialized treatment and recovery programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill commends specialized court addressing human trafficking with trauma-informed services, supporting criminal justice reform and victim protection85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Judges

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 1054: EVIDENCE: Provides relative to self-authentication of certain evidence

This bill establishes a process for law enforcement agencies to use written certificates to authenticate video footage from unmanned aircraft systems in criminal, juvenile, and certain civil forfeiture cases. Under the new rules, agencies must provide notice of intent to use this certificate method at least 45 days before trial, with a shorter five-day notice required for juvenile court cases. Defendants have the right to request the testimony of the person who operated the aircraft within 30 days of receiving notice, and if they do so, the footage cannot be admitted solely based on the certificate. The legislation defines key terms like "footage" and "unmanned aircraft system" and allows law enforcement to use electronic signatures for certificates.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill streamlines evidence authentication for law enforcement drone footage, improving judicial efficiency while maintaining defendant rights through notice requirements and testimony requests.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 1005: INDIGENT DEFENSE: Provides relative to the office of the state public defender (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

This bill reorganizes Louisiana's public defender system by creating a new state-level Office of the State Public Defender under the governor's office to oversee and coordinate public defense services across the state. It establishes a Public Defender Oversight Board to supervise the system and grants its members protection from personal liability for official actions, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. The legislation also clarifies definitions for district public defender employees, adjusts how certain court funds can be used to support indigent defense programs, and sets specific staffing and funding provisions for juvenile public defender positions in Orleans Parish.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens public defense system by creating oversight board and protecting officials, improving access to legal representation for indigent defendants.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 995: CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to the electronic access of videotaped statements of protected persons

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill improves access to evidence for defense attorneys while protecting vulnerable witnesses, enhancing fairness in criminal proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 12, 2026

HB 983: APPROPRIATIONS: Appropriates funds for the expenses of the judiciary for Fiscal Year 2026-2027

HB 983 allocates approximately $229.6 million in state funds to cover the operational expenses of Louisiana's judicial system for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The bill directly affects the Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, District Courts, and related judicial bodies by providing financial support for salaries, administrative costs, retirement benefits, and specialized programs. Key provisions include funding for judge and staff compensation, the Judicial Administrator's Office, the Judiciary Commission, the Law Library, the Judicial College, and various support services such as the Louisiana Protective Order Registry and the Families in Need of Services Program. The legislation also covers information technology expenses and contributions to judicial retirement and pension systems.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $229.6M for judiciary operational expenses, directly funding essential government services and public sector salaries.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates $229.6M to fund judicial system operations, salaries, and administrative costs, directly supporting criminal justice infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Pensions State Budget Courts Domestic Violence Judges

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1106: CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to the custodial interrogation of children

This bill establishes that children aged 15 and younger cannot waive their right to have an attorney present during custodial interrogations, meaning law enforcement must ensure an attorney is available before questioning these minors. It makes any statements made by children during such interrogations inadmissible in court unless their counsel was present at the time. The law also reinforces existing protections by clarifying that confessions from children must be voluntary and not obtained through coercion or improper inducements. These changes directly impact police procedures and the admissibility of evidence in cases involving minors.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens protections for minors during interrogations, enhancing due process and reducing wrongful convictions, which aligns with criminal justice reform and protecting civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement Tags Children

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 1064: COURTS: Provides relative to a domestic violence intervention court pilot program in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

This bill establishes a two-year pilot program for a Domestic Violence Intervention Court within the Nineteenth Judicial District Court in Louisiana. The program targets defendants convicted of domestic abuse-related offenses who are assessed as at-risk of reoffending, offering them voluntary participation in a specialized court track that combines judicial supervision with treatment and accountability measures. Key provisions include mandatory batterer intervention programming using evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy, regular court appearances, compliance with individualized case plans, and access to services such as mental health screening, substance abuse referrals, and victim safety planning. The court will operate with a coordinated team including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation officers, and victim advocates, while collecting data on recidivism and program outcomes to evaluate effectiveness for potential statewide expansion.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes domestic violence intervention court pilot program focusing on rehabilitation, treatment, and accountability for defendants, reducing recidivism risk through specialized court track.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Probation & Parole

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 622: CRIMINAL/RECORDS: Provides relative to the confidentiality of criminal history records

HB 622 modifies Louisiana law to strengthen confidentiality around criminal history records used in employment background checks. It requires employers to obtain their own criminal history checks (via state and federal systems) and prohibits sharing these records with other employers or individuals without the applicant’s written consent or a court order. Employers must destroy these records one year after an employee’s termination, except when an applicant gives written permission for a health provider to share the check. The bill also ensures compliance with federal regulations like the FBI’s criminal justice information policies, without creating new penalties or changing criminal law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens privacy protections for criminal history records in employment, preventing misuse and promoting fair hiring - aligns with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRestricts employer access to criminal records without consent, strengthening worker privacy and reducing potential discrimination in hiring processes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts