Criminal Justice (Victims' Rights)

HB 251 requires Louisiana trial courts to hold a "contradictory hearing" and allow victims (or their families if the victim is deceased or disabled) to make a statement before granting any motion to vacate a final conviction or resentence an imprisoned person to a lesser sentence. The bill mandates that courts provide written notice of such motions to victims and their families, ensuring they can participate in the process. Any motion granted without this hearing or notice is automatically void, and pending appeals may be remanded for the court to consider the victim's input. This bill directly affects victims of crimes and their families in criminal resentencing cases, adding a procedural step to protect their right to be heard.

SB 91 allows defendants convicted of felony offenses before August 1, 2026, who are survivors of domestic abuse, human trafficking, or sexual assault to request resentencing after that date. To qualify, they must provide documentation proving their survivor status, prior conviction, and evidence linking their abuse experience to the crime. If approved, courts must reduce sentences to specific limits (e.g., life without parole reduced to 30 years, or 15+ year sentences reduced to 7.5 years), considering the abuse as a mitigating factor. The bill excludes certain offenses like sex offender registrations or violent crimes requiring specific additional proof. This applies only to those already serving sentences on or after August 1, 2026.

HB 186 creates a new criminal offense for stealing funds from Louisiana's LA GATOR Scholarship Program, directly affecting administrators or officials who handle these scholarship funds. It sets tiered penalties based on the amount stolen: up to 20 years in prison for $25,000+ theft, up to 10 years for $5,000-$25,000, and lesser terms for smaller amounts. The bill also requires offenders to pay full restitution to victims of the theft. This law specifically targets misuse of scholarship funds, not general theft.

SB 51 creates a new criminal offense for falsely claiming military service or awards to gain benefits. It directly affects individuals who lie about receiving military honors (like medals or service records) to obtain economic advantages, veteran benefits, or privileges. The bill establishes tiered penalties: up to $1,000 or 6 months in jail for basic false claims, up to $5,000 or 1 year for falsely claiming major awards (e.g., Medal of Honor), and up to $10,000, 5 years in prison, or restitution for fraud that secures benefits reserved for veterans or their families. Definitions clarify that "award" includes medals, ribbons, and official service records maintained by military or state forces.

SB 185 makes it illegal for agreements to prevent child sexual abuse victims from discussing or disclosing their abuse. The bill declares that any nondisclosure agreement involving such victims is unenforceable in court and against public policy. This directly affects victims in Louisiana by removing legal barriers to speaking about their experiences. The law ensures victims cannot be silenced through binding contracts, focusing solely on this specific policy change.

HB 843 creates the Sexual Assault Survivor Empowerment and Privacy Protection Act in Louisiana, directly affecting victims of sexual offenses (defined under state law). It allows these victims to request the removal of their personal information - including home addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, and employment details - from public records and websites. Public bodies and third parties must remove this information within 72 hours of a valid written request, with failure to comply risking misdemeanor penalties (up to 18 months in jail or $5,000 fine). The law does not apply to records maintained by the secretary of state’s office, and it includes specific definitions for terms like "protected individual" and "personal information."