HB 98 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

CRIMINAL/VICTIMS: Provides a penalty for the unlawful disclosure of confidential information relating to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 98 strengthens protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking by creating criminal penalties for unauthorized disclosure of their confidential information. The bill prohibits individuals from intentionally releasing, disclosing, transferring, or disseminating victim-identifying details - such as abuse status, family members, or agency involvement - and imposes fines up to $2,500 or up to one year in prison for violations. It also shields community shelters from liability if staff or others unlawfully disclose such information. These provisions apply to service providers, law enforcement, and agencies handling victim cases, ensuring sensitive data remains confidential. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes to prevent re-victimization through information leaks.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 9, 2026 Signed May 15, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB98 Original → HB98 Act · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill strengthens penalties for unauthorized disclosure of confidential information regarding victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. It adds a specific intent requirement to the criminal penalty, ensuring punishment only applies when the disclosure is made to coerce, intimidate, or harass the victim. Additionally, the bill clarifies that community-based shelters are not liable for such unlawful disclosures made by individuals.

Scope change

The scope of criminal liability was narrowed by adding an intent requirement, and the scope of liability protection for community shelters was clarified.

ENFORCEMENT

Added the specific intent to 'coerce, intimidate, or harass' as a required element for the criminal penalty under R.S. 40:2024.5(F), R.S. 22:1078(F), and related statutes.

Revised the penalty language in R.S. 22:1078(F) to include the new intent requirement alongside the existing prohibition.

REQUIREMENT

Added a specific provision in R.S. 46:1862(E) and R.S. 46:2124.1(E) stating that community shelters are not liable for unlawful disclosures made by individuals in violation of the confidentiality rules.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill's sponsor list to include additional senators and changed the document status from 'Original' to 'Enrolled' Act No. 119.

Floor votes · Senate May 5, 2026 · House Apr 9, 2026

How they voted

37–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 40

May 5, 2026

D Democratic12

11 Yea 1

91% Yea

R Republican28

26 Yea 2

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read by title, roll called, yeas 95, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.

lower

May 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 22, 2026

Committee

Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

Apr 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments.

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 91, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Apr 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (11-0).

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

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

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Committee

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

lower

1 primary · 15 co-sponsors