Criminal Justice (Courts)

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 530: LOCAL GOVERNMENT: (Constitutional Amendment) Provides for home rule charter or plan of government provisions affecting certain parish officials and school boards

This constitutional amendment would allow parishes operating under home rule charters to authorize local ethics entities to audit or investigate school boards and specific elected officials (including district attorneys, sheriffs, assessors, clerks of court, and coroners). Currently, home rule charters cannot include such provisions for these offices. The amendment removes this restriction while clarifying that the state legislature may still enact laws related to local ethics oversight. It directly affects parishes using home rule charters in Louisiana and changes how local governments can structure oversight of key public offices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows local ethics oversight of criminal justice officials (DA, sheriffs), enhancing accountability per indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

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

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 306: DOMESTIC ABUSE: Provides relative to court costs and fees in domestic abuse cases

HB 306 requires domestic violence perpetrators in Louisiana to pay all court costs, attorney fees, enforcement fees, evaluation fees, expert witness fees, and medical/psychological care costs for victims (adults or children) related to the abuse. This applies during the initial phase of domestic abuse cases, before the first hearing. After the initial hearing, standard civil rules apply, and each party covers their own attorney fees. The bill directly affects domestic violence victims (by reducing their financial burden) and perpetrators (by shifting cost responsibility to them).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires domestic violence perpetrators to cover victim costs, enhancing accountability and reducing financial burden on victims in criminal justice proceedings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates perpetrators cover medical/psychological care costs for victims, ensuring access to healthcare services without financial barriers for domestic abuse survivors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House May 19, 2026

HB 517: JUVENILE PROCEDURE: Provides for the right to a jury trial for certain juvenile offenders

HB 517 would change Louisiana juvenile court procedures by granting juveniles the right to a jury trial if charged with specific serious offenses. It directly affects minors facing felony-level delinquency charges classified as either "crimes of violence" (per R.S. 14:2(B)) or "sex offenses" (per R.S. 15:541) in juvenile court. The bill modifies existing law to extend this constitutional right - previously unavailable in juvenile proceedings - to these particular cases, while maintaining jury trials as optional for other juvenile matters. The legislation aims to align juvenile court processes with constitutional protections for defendants facing the most severe charges.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends constitutional jury trial rights to juveniles facing serious offenses, strengthening defendant protections in juvenile justice proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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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

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 153: COURTS/CRIMINAL: Provides with respect to the collection of criminal court fines and fees

HB 153 prohibits Louisiana courts from sending criminal court fines or fees to the Department of Revenue's debt recovery office for collection and bans reporting these debts to credit bureaus or consumer reporting agencies. It directly affects individuals who owe fines or fees from criminal cases, including violations of state law or parish ordinances. The bill requires courts to handle these debts internally rather than using state debt collection systems or impacting credit reports. This change aims to prevent credit score damage and collection efforts tied to unpaid criminal court debts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents criminal court fines/fees from being sent to debt collection or reported to credit bureaus, reducing financial barriers and aligning with criminal justice reform to avoid recidivism and protect civil rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

signed · Louisiana · House May 14, 2026

HB 92: CRIME/SEX OFFENSES: Provides relative to time limitations and other matters concerning certain sex offenses (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 92 updates Louisiana's rape laws by adding a new circumstance for first-degree rape: when the victim cannot resist due to the offender's force overpowering their ability to resist. It revises indictment forms to specifically include "forcible or second degree rape" as a charge and modifies jury verdict options for first-degree rape cases, removing "oral sexual battery" as a separate offense. The bill repeals the existing crime of oral sexual battery (R.S. 14:43.3) and makes technical adjustments to related legal provisions. These changes directly affect how prosecutors charge rape cases and how juries determine verdicts in court.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUpdates rape law to include force preventing resistance, revises charging forms for clarity, and removes redundant offense. Strengthens legal definition for prosecuting sexual violence, protecting victims and enhancing enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 533: COURTS: Requires the governing authority of St. Tammany Parish to transfer certain monies into the criminal court fund of the 22nd Judicial District Court (EN NO IMPACT LF See Note)

HB 533 requires St. Tammany Parish’s governing authority to transfer any surplus funds from its special court fund to the 22nd Judicial District Court’s criminal court fund annually. Surplus is defined as money remaining after paying witness fees to off-duty law enforcement officers for court appearances that year. The transferred funds can be used for any purpose allowed under the criminal court fund’s existing rules. This bill directly affects St. Tammany Parish’s budget management and the 22nd Judicial District Court’s funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTransfers surplus court funds to criminal court fund, providing additional resources for judicial operations without restrictions or cuts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 366: DOMESTIC ABUSE: Provides relative to continuance of hearings in domestic abuse matters

HB 366 limits court delays in domestic abuse cases by restricting the maximum continuance (postponement) of temporary restraining order hearings to 15 days, unless "good cause" is shown for an extension. This directly affects domestic abuse victims seeking immediate protection through temporary restraining orders. The bill amends Louisiana law to require courts to justify longer delays, preventing indefinite postponements. It focuses on streamlining the process for victims to secure safety orders without unnecessary delays.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLimits court delays in domestic abuse cases to ensure timely protection for victims, advancing victim safety within criminal justice proceedings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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signed · Louisiana · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 118: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Provides for substance use disorder screening of all misdemeanor DUI offenders. (8/1/26) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 118 requires courts to screen all misdemeanor DUI offenders (first and second offenses) for substance use disorder risk as part of probation conditions. It mandates using evidence-based screening tools validated for impaired driving, with results kept confidential and shared directly with the court, prosecutors, and defense counsel. If screening indicates risk, courts may order a full assessment by a licensed clinician to determine if a substance use disorder diagnosis exists. This policy applies to both first and second offense DUI cases under Louisiana law, focusing on early intervention rather than altering penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates substance use disorder screening for DUI offenders to enable rehabilitation, reducing recidivism through evidence-based treatment pathways rather than punitive measures.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Probation & Parole