HB 479 Louisiana House · 2025 Regular Session

CRIMINAL/VICTIMS: Provides relative to witness or victim notification (EN +$3,795,206 GF EX See Note)

HB 479 requires the state to create a new victim and witness notification system that integrates with the existing criminal justice information system. It directly affects victims of violent crime by guaranteeing their right to receive a free copy of their initial police report under state law. Key provisions include building this system in coordination with the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board and ensuring all components meet specific legal standards. The bill also explicitly adds the free police report access as a standard right for violent crime victims. This focuses on improving access to case information for affected individuals.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Jun 2025

House Passage

Jun 2025

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Apr 4, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 5 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB479 Original → HB479 Act · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was enrolled into law as Act No. 370, expanding the list of sponsoring representatives and updating the legislative purpose to include a Crime Victims' Bill of Rights and victim notification procedures. A major substantive change adds a new statute (R.S. 15:715) requiring law enforcement to immediately notify witnesses and victims when an inmate escapes from a parish prison or jail, including specific instructions for notification upon recapture. The bill also clarifies that the new victims' services system must be integrated with the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board and created by July 1, 2026.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a new requirement for immediate notification of witnesses and victims regarding inmate escapes, and the legislative intent was broadened to explicitly include victim notification and definitions.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirement for law enforcement to immediately notify witnesses and victims when an inmate escapes from a parish prison or jail.

Added requirement that law enforcement must notify persons and entities within one working day if an escaped inmate is recaptured.

Modified the victims' services system implementation requirement to mandate integration with the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board and compliance with R.S. 15:1228.10.

DEFINITION

Added definitions for 'law enforcement agency' and 'local media outlet' within the new escape notification statute.

SCOPE

Expanded the bill's stated purpose to include providing for a Crime Victims' Bill of Rights and victim notification procedures.

TECHNICAL

Added multiple representatives to the bill sponsorship list and updated the bill status from 'Original' to 'Enrolled'.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 11, 2025 · House May 21, 2025

How they voted

33–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 37

Jun 11, 2025

D Democratic11

9 Yea 2

81% Yea

R Republican26

24 Yea 2

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read by title, roll called, yeas 97, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.

lower

Jun 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Jun 9, 2025

Committee

Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

Jun 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

Rules suspended. Recalled from Committee.

upper

Jun 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments. Rules suspended. Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title; recommitted to the Committee on Finance.

upper

May 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 95, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (16-0).

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Committee

Read by title, ordered engrossed, recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations.

lower

Apr 16, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (11-0).

lower

Apr 14, 2025

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Committee

Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

lower

1 primary · 41 co-sponsors