HCR 64 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

COURTS: Requests a study to make recommendations regarding behavioral health courts

This bill directs the Louisiana Supreme Court's drug and specialty court program to conduct a study on the potential effectiveness, impact, and costs of establishing behavioral health courts in three specific parishes: Ouachita, East Baton Rouge, and Orleans. The program is required to complete this study and submit its findings and recommendations to relevant House and Senate committees no later than January 1, 2027. This legislative request focuses on gathering data to inform future decisions regarding the expansion of these specialized court programs.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Governor

Introduced Apr 16, 2026 Last action May 28, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

HCR64 Engrossed → HCR64 Enrolled · 4 edits · May 26, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as 'Enrolled' and updated to include a second sponsoring representative, Martinez. The primary substantive change is the expansion of the study's scope to include three new parishes (Ouachita, East Baton Rouge, and Orleans) and a revised deadline for the final report to be submitted to the legislature.

Scope change

The study's geographic scope was expanded from three existing parishes to include six parishes in total, and the reporting deadline was moved from February 1, 2027, to January 1, 2027.

SCOPE

Added Representatives Martinez as a co-sponsor of the resolution.

Expanded the study to include behavioral health courts in Ouachita, East Baton Rouge, and Orleans Parishes, in addition to the previously listed Calcasieu, Rapides, and St. Tammany Parishes.

TIMELINE

Changed the deadline for submitting the final report from February 1, 2027, to January 1, 2027.

TECHNICAL

Updated the document status from 'Engrossed' to 'Enrolled' and adjusted page headers and formatting to reflect the final version.

Floor votes · Senate May 26, 2026 · House May 11, 2026

How they voted

32–0

Passed · 8 other

Total votes 40

May 26, 2026

D Democratic12

8 Yea 4

66% Yea

R Republican28

24 Yea 4

85% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read by title and concurred in by a vote of 32 yeas and 0 nays. Ordered returned to the House.

upper

May 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably.

upper

May 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read by title, roll called on final consideration, yeas 92, nays 0. The resolution was adopted and ordered to the Senate.

lower

Apr 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (16-0).

lower

Apr 20, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor