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SB 135 Louisiana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

CRIMINAL JUSTICE: Defines judicial agencies. (8/1/25)

SB 135 requires Louisiana judicial agencies and treatment facilities to obtain certification from the Louisiana Department of Health before providing or referring individuals to treatment services. It directly affects courts, prosecutors, and facilities offering treatment (like substance abuse or mental health programs) within the criminal justice system. The bill mandates that facilities must comply with adopted health department rules and pass inspections before referrals can occur. This creates a formal process to ensure treatment providers meet state standards. The bill passed the Senate unanimously and is now moving to the House for further consideration.
Issues: ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates certification for treatment facilities in criminal justice system, ensuring compliance with health rules to improve rehabilitation quality and program effectiveness.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates certification and compliance with health department rules for mental health/substance abuse facilities in criminal justice, ensuring quality care standards and patient safety.85% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Apr 4, 2025 Signed Jun 11, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB135 Original → SB135 Act · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill updates the definition of 'judicial agency' to explicitly include sheriffs and sheriff's departments, whereas the previous version excluded them. It also restructures the regulations for facilities receiving referrals, separating requirements for housing/temporary residence (under Public Safety) from requirements for treatment facilities (under Health).
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of 'judicial agencies' subject to these referral rules to include sheriffs and sheriff's departments, which were previously excluded.
DEFINITION

The definition of 'judicial agency' was changed to include the sheriff and sheriff's department, removing the previous prohibition that excluded them.

REQUIREMENT

The law now separates facility certification requirements: Public Safety must certify facilities providing housing or temporary residence, while the Department of Health must certify facilities providing treatment.

New language was added to require the Department of Health to inspect and certify treatment facilities before they can accept referrals.

Floor votes · Senate May 5, 2025 · House Jun 4, 2025

How they voted

35–0
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 37
May 5, 2025
D Democratic11
11 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican26
24 Yea 2
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Jun 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 94, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
lower
May 29, 2025
Introduced
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
lower
May 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (10-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
lower
May 6, 2025
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
lower
May 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Read by title, passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported with amendments.
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Committee
Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary B.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Mark Abraham
Mark Abraham
RRepublican
LA
25