HB 320 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

CRIME/SEX OFFENSES: Creates the crime of unlawful exposure by an inmate (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 320 creates a new criminal offense in Louisiana for inmates who expose their intimate body parts (genitals, pubic hair, anus, vulva, or female breast nipples) to correctional staff with the intent of sexual gratification or harassment. It applies specifically to individuals incarcerated in jails, prisons, or detention facilities, targeting conduct directed at employees of those facilities. Violations carry penalties of up to three years in prison, a $2,500 fine, or both for a first offense, with harsher penalties for repeat offenses. The bill also amends existing law to include this new offense under the definition of "sex offense" for registration and notification purposes.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 24, 2026 Signed May 15, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB320 Original → HB320 Act · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill narrows the scope of a new crime called 'unlawful exposure by an inmate' to apply only to adult inmates in adult facilities, removing references to juvenile institutions. It also updates the legal definition of 'sex offense' to explicitly include this new crime, ensuring that inmates convicted of this offense are subject to sex offender registration and notification requirements.

Scope change

The bill's applicability was restricted from all correctional facilities (including juvenile institutions) to only adult jails, prisons, and detention centers.

SCOPE

The crime of unlawful exposure by an inmate now applies only to adult inmates in adult facilities, excluding juvenile institutions and facilities that house minors.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'correctional facility' was updated to specify 'adult jail, prison, penitentiary,' removing the general reference to juvenile institutions.

The definition of 'correctional facility employee' was updated to specify 'adult jail, prison,' removing the general reference to juvenile institutions.

REQUIREMENT

The definition of 'sex offense' was expanded to include the new unlawful exposure crime, making it a registrable offense for sex offender notification purposes.

New sentencing guidelines were established, including a maximum of three years in prison and a $2,500 fine for a first offense, and up to five years and a $25,000 fine for subsequent offenses.

Floor votes · Senate May 12, 2026 · House Apr 9, 2026

How they voted

26–9

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 40

May 12, 2026

D Democratic12

1 Yea 8 Nay 3

66% Nay

R Republican28

25 Yea 1 Nay 2

89% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 26 yeas and 8 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 29, 2026

Committee

Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

Apr 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably.

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 76, nays 18. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Apr 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (12-0).

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

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

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Committee

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

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors