Criminal Justice (Violent Crime)

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 320: LAW ENFORCEMENT: Provides relative to DNA detection of sexual and violent offenses. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE See Note)

SB 320 requires Louisiana law enforcement agencies to track and resolve DNA matches from unsolved sexual assault and violent crime cases within 90 days of notification. It creates a central statewide system managed by the state police to monitor "outstanding" DNA matches (cases where agencies haven't acted on the lead within 90 days) and mandates all relevant agencies - including police departments, district attorneys, and crime labs - to report data to this system by January 2027. The law also requires annual public reports detailing statewide and regional statistics on outstanding matches and resolutions. This directly affects law enforcement agencies handling criminal investigations involving DNA evidence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates timely resolution of DNA leads in sexual assault/violent crime cases, creating a statewide tracking system to advance case resolution and improve criminal justice outcomes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Violent Crime

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 274: HIGHER EDUCATION: Provides relative to initial eligibility requirements for the M.J. Foster Promise Program (OR INCREASE SD EX See Note)

HB 274 amends Louisiana's M.J. Foster Promise Program eligibility rules to allow students with certain criminal convictions to qualify for financial aid. It removes disqualification for 12 specific non-violent offenses (like second-degree battery, simple robbery, and aggravated arson) that were previously listed as disqualifying crimes. Previously, any conviction for a "crime of violence" barred applicants, but this bill creates exceptions for these 12 offenses under R.S. 13:5401(B)(1)(f). The change directly affects students enrolled in two-year public colleges or qualifying programs who were previously ineligible due to these specific convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves disqualification for 12 non-violent offenses from financial aid eligibility, promoting rehabilitation access and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves barriers to higher education financial aid by allowing students with certain non-violent convictions to qualify, expanding educational access under the M.J. Foster Promise Program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 884: CRIMINAL/VICTIMS: Provides relative to survivors of sexually-oriented criminal offenses

HB 884 creates a Louisiana Sexual Assault Oversight Commission within the Department of Justice, requiring it to include a member with expertise in forensic medical exams for sexual assault victims. The bill mandates the Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory to report by March 1, 2015, on untested sexual assault kits and agencies failing to submit required reports, while defining key terms like "forensic medical examination." It also requires all licensed hospitals and healthcare providers to inform sexual assault survivors about treatment options and follow specific care procedures. This bill directly affects sexual assault survivors, healthcare providers, and criminal justice agencies by improving oversight, reporting transparency, and access to care for victims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Sexual Assault Oversight Commission, mandates untested kit reporting, and requires healthcare compliance to improve victim support and system accountability in criminal justice.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires healthcare providers to conduct forensic medical exams for sexual assault victims, ensuring medical care access and protecting patient rights in victim treatment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Victims' Rights Violent Crime

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 579: CRIMINAL/VICTIMS: Provides relative to the rights of survivors of sexual assault

HB 579 in Louisiana establishes specific rights for sexual assault survivors by amending the state's Sexual Assault Survivor Bill of Rights. It requires that unreported sexual assault evidence collection kits be preserved without cost for at least 20 years (or longer per state policy), ensures survivors are notified of all their rights under the law, and confirms survivors retain any additional rights granted by other Louisiana laws. The bill directly affects individuals who have experienced sexual assault in Louisiana, focusing on preserving evidence and ensuring awareness of legal protections. These provisions aim to strengthen support systems for survivors through concrete policy changes in evidence handling and rights communication.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates evidence preservation for 20+ years and ensures survivor rights notification, directly advancing victim protections within criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Violent Crime

passed · Louisiana · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 182: NURSES: Provides relative to victims of sexual assault (EG +$4,000,000 LF See Note)

HB 182 requires all licensed hospitals and healthcare providers in Louisiana to ensure a qualified healthcare professional (such as a physician or sexual assault nurse examiner) is available during operating hours to provide forensic examinations and treatment to sexual assault survivors. It mandates that facilities offer survivors information about these services and maintain personnel trained to conduct forensic medical exams. The bill directly affects hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers statewide by setting new standards for their response to sexual assault cases. It defines key terms like "qualified healthcare professional" to clarify who can perform these examinations, aiming to improve access to specialized care for survivors.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates forensic exam access for sexual assault victims, improving evidence collection for criminal cases and aligning with victim support in criminal justice process.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates healthcare providers to offer forensic exams and treatment for sexual assault survivors, improving access to critical health services and protecting patient rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Healthcare Workforce

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 317: STUDENT/DISCIPLINE: Prohibits the assignment of prekindergarten or kindergarten students to an alternative school unless suspended or expelled for certain infractions

HB 317 prohibits Louisiana schools from assigning prekindergarten or kindergarten students to alternative schools for any disciplinary reason except when a student is suspended or expelled for serious misconduct involving drugs, weapons, assault, or battery. This directly affects young children in early education, preventing their placement in alternative schools for minor behavioral issues like disruptions or minor conflicts. The bill changes existing discipline practices by restricting alternative school assignments for these grades to only the most severe infractions defined in state law. It aims to limit early exclusion of very young students from mainstream learning environments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents minor behavioral issues in young children from triggering alternative school placements, reducing early criminalization and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to avoid school-to-prison pipeline.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents early childhood students from being moved to alternative schools for minor infractions, protecting their access to regular education settings and promoting positive school environments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime K-12 Education

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 92: CRIMINAL RECORDS: Requires district attorneys to submit sexual assault collection kits to the statewide tracking system. (8/1/26)

SB 92 requires Louisiana district attorney offices to submit information about sexual assault collection kits to a statewide tracking system by July 1, 2024. This mandate applies to all relevant entities, including law enforcement and healthcare providers handling these kits, to ensure consistent tracking of evidence. The law also requires the state police to report on implementation progress, including phased rollout plans, to legislative committees and the governor by January 1, 2024. The system aims to improve transparency and coordination in handling sexual assault cases, with the bill taking effect August 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires tracking of sexual assault evidence to improve prosecution efficiency and victim justice, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Violent Crime

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 414: HEALTH: Provides for prohibitions on hiring individuals with certain criminal convictions

HB 414 prohibits employers from hiring nonlicensed healthcare workers or licensed ambulance personnel who have been convicted of specific crimes, including violent offenses, drug trafficking, or certain other serious violations. It directly affects healthcare employers in Louisiana and individuals with qualifying criminal records seeking these jobs. The bill requires employers to conduct criminal history checks; if a conviction matches the prohibited offenses listed (e.g., assault, drug distribution), hiring is barred, and existing employees must be terminated immediately. The law repeals a previous exception (R.S. 40:1203.3(B)) but does not create new appeal processes for the hiring ban.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits employment of individuals with certain convictions in healthcare, restricting rehabilitation pathways and limiting reintegration opportunities for formerly incarcerated people.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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 29, 2026

SB 156: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Increases the maximum period of imprisonment for negligent homicide. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 156 increases the maximum prison sentence for negligent homicide from 10 to 15 years in certain cases. It specifically raises the maximum to 15 years for killing a child under 10, and to 40 years for offenders over 17 who cause the death of someone under 17 through intentional or negligent mistreatment. The bill also requires courts to explain in writing why they don't sentence offenders to prison when alcohol contributed to a vehicle-related death. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of negligent homicide, particularly in cases involving minors or alcohol-related incidents.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases maximum prison terms for negligent homicide, including longer sentences for child-related deaths and alcohol-related vehicular deaths, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime