Criminal Justice (Courts)

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

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

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 811: DOMESTIC ABUSE: Provides relative to arrest records in domestic abuse matters

HB 811 amends Louisiana's bail-setting rules to allow judges to consider a defendant's past arrest records for domestic abuse battery (even if those arrests didn't result in convictions) when determining bail in current domestic abuse cases. This affects defendants facing domestic abuse charges and judges setting bail amounts. The key provision adds a new factor (Article 316(11)) requiring judges to review the defendant's arrest history for domestic abuse battery within the past five years. It does not change whether an arrest leads to conviction, only that non-conviction arrests become a consideration for bail. The bill focuses on safety and ensuring court appearance by expanding the factors judges may weigh.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires judges to consider past domestic abuse arrest records (even without convictions) in bail decisions, strengthening victim safety protocols within criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 263: COURTS: Provides with respect to the magistrate judge of the Fourteenth Judicial District Court and authority relative to specialty court programs

HB 263 allows the magistrate judge of Louisiana's Fourteenth Judicial District Court to preside over specialty court programs and fully handle related felony charges, subject to approval by the district court's judges. It defines "specialty court" to include programs like drug courts, Veterans Court, mental health courts, DWI courts, reentry courts, and domestic abuse courts. This bill directly affects the magistrate judge's authority and specialty court participants by expanding their role in adjudicating felony cases within these specialized programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands magistrate authority for specialty courts (mental health, drug, Veterans courts) focused on rehabilitation over punishment, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Judges

signed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 131: CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to post-conviction relief

HB 131 modifies Louisiana's post-conviction relief process by adding two new restrictions on appeals. It denies relief if a petitioner knew about a claim but failed to raise it during trial (Article 930.4(B)) or raised it in trial but didn’t pursue it on appeal (Article 930.4(C)). The bill also changes custody rules: if relief is granted, the person cannot be released on bail until Louisiana’s Supreme Court finishes reviewing the case (Article 930.5(C)). This directly affects individuals convicted of crimes seeking to overturn their convictions through post-conviction appeals. The law aims to reduce repetitive or incomplete appeals while clarifying custody procedures during appeals.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts post-conviction appeals by denying relief for procedural failures, limiting defendant rights and opposing reform efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 94: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Provides for bail conditions for defendants charged with certain domestic offenses. (8/1/26)

SB 94 changes Louisiana's bail rules for defendants charged with specific domestic violence, stalking, sex offenses, or human trafficking cases. If a court determines a defendant poses a threat to a victim, it must require no contact with the victim’s home, school, workplace, or any communication (including electronic). For human trafficking cases, the bill also restricts certain employment (like ride-sharing, childcare, or door-to-door sales) as a bail condition. The law applies directly to defendants facing these offenses and aims to prioritize victim safety through concrete bail restrictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill imposes strict bail conditions for domestic violence/stalking/sex offenses/human trafficking to protect victims, enhancing victim safety and accountability in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Human Trafficking

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 480: COURTS/CRIMINAL: Provides for participation in reentry courts

HB 480 amends Louisiana law to clarify eligibility for reentry courts and workforce development sentencing programs. It removes a prior restriction on defendants with sex offense convictions (defined under R.S. 15:541) and specifies that participation is barred only for crimes of violence (with 15 listed exceptions, including aggravated assault, robbery, and battery of police officers). The bill also repeals outdated provisions and requires district attorneys to consent to participation for eligible violent crime cases. This directly affects criminal defendants facing charges who may qualify for reentry court programs instead of standard sentencing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves barrier for sex offense cases in reentry courts, expanding rehabilitation access to reduce recidivism while maintaining violent crime exceptions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Sentencing

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 784: SEX OFFENSE/REGISTRY: Provides relative to sex offender registration and notification requirements

HB 784 updates Louisiana's sex offender registration laws by expanding the definition of "sex offense" to include specific crimes like human trafficking (R.S. 14:46.2), certain deepfake violations (R.S. 14:73.13), and offenses against minors such as child pornography (R.S. 14:81.1) and molestation (R.S. 14:81.2). It requires individuals convicted of these offenses to register with law enforcement within three business days of establishing Louisiana residency. The bill also clarifies registration requirements for offenders convicted under other jurisdictions' laws and updates court notification forms. This affects anyone convicted of the specified offenses who must comply with Louisiana's registration system.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands sex offense definitions and tightens registration deadlines, increasing criminalization and restrictions on offenders.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 251: CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides with respect to criminal resentencing

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires victim participation in resentencing motions, aligning with victim protection in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

signed · Louisiana · House May 27, 2026

HB 67: PUBLIC RECORDS: Provides for protected information of certain individuals

HB 67 amends Louisiana law to require removal of personal information for individuals recognized as "protected" (such as victims of certain crimes or abuse) from public records maintained by the secretary of state and district clerks. It directly affects these protected individuals by ensuring their personal details - like addresses or contact information - are not left publicly accessible online or in physical court files. The bill mandates that offices must proactively remove such information from publicly posted records, rather than allowing individuals to opt out of removal. This creates a concrete policy change to enhance privacy for vulnerable groups in government databases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects victim privacy by removing sensitive personal info from public records, aligning with civil rights and victim safety in criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates removal of protected individuals' personal data from public digital records, directly enhancing data privacy protections in technology systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Data Privacy