SB 185 designates the boat launch at Bussey Brake Wildlife Management Area in Morehouse Parish as the "William Kinnison 'Kinny' Haddox Boat Launch." The bill requires the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to install and maintain signage for this named location. This is a ceremonial designation with no policy changes or direct impact on regulations, funding, or public services. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate on April 29, 2025.
SB 58 creates a new criminal offense in Louisiana law called "child grooming" (defined under R.S. 14:81.7), making it illegal to commit or attempt to commit acts intended to build a relationship with a minor for sexual purposes. This bill directly affects individuals who engage in such grooming behavior and law enforcement handling related cases. The key provision adds "child grooming" as a specific sexual offense against minors under Louisiana law (R.S. 15:541(25)(o)), and also treats equivalent crimes committed in other jurisdictions as if they occurred in Louisiana (R.S. 15:541(25)(p)). The bill amends existing criminal codes to formally define and criminalize this conduct.
HB 373 requires the Workforce Investment Council to annually analyze the return on investment for industry-based credentials earned by high school students. It mandates collecting and sharing student data - including social security numbers - with the Council to evaluate these credentials' effectiveness in preparing students for careers. The bill directly affects high school students pursuing industry certifications and the Workforce Investment Council, which must use the data to assess program value. Key provisions include standardized data collection, annual reporting, and specific sharing protocols for student information. The bill aims to inform policy decisions about high school career pathways without specifying fiscal impacts.
HB 35 establishes a minimum mandatory sentence for drivers who flee the scene of an accident involving their vehicle. It directly affects individuals convicted of hit-and-run offenses where their vehicle was directly involved in the collision. The bill requires courts to impose a specific minimum prison term (details not specified in the text) for these offenses, rather than allowing judges to set sentences at their discretion. This policy change aims to standardize sentencing for certain hit-and-run cases by removing judicial flexibility in these specific situations.
HB 49 modifies Louisiana law to change how victim testimony in parole and pardon hearings is handled. It replaces requirements for written transcripts with rules allowing audio, written, or visual recordings of victim testimony during private "executive sessions." The bill requires that any disclosure of such testimony must first receive approval from a judge in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court. This directly affects victims, spouses, or next of kin of deceased victims who participate in these hearings. The changes amend specific statutes (R.S. 15:572.4, 573, 574.2, 574.4.1, and 574.12.1) to implement these confidentiality procedures.
HB 492 clarifies that animal cruelty laws protect animals in the care of shelters, rescue locations, or veterinary facilities. The bill amends existing language to explicitly include animals under veterinary care and those in shelters or rescue centers within the definition of protected animals. These changes make the law clearer for enforcement and ensure animals in these settings receive the same legal protections as other animals under cruelty statutes.
HB 141 allows sureties (individuals or companies who post bail for defendants) to be fully released from bail obligations if they prove a defendant was deported. Specifically, sureties can file proof of deportation with the court within 180 days of an arrest warrant notice, or request a hearing to establish deportation if proof is unavailable. If the court confirms deportation, the surety is discharged from all financial responsibility under the bail agreement. This directly affects bail sureties in cases where defendants are deported, providing a clear process to end their liability. The bill modifies bail procedures without altering criminal penalties or defendant rights.
HB 111 amends language in a law regarding the unlawful presence of certain sex offenders. The bill specifically removes references to "school or a school-related activity" from the prohibited locations where sex offenders may not be present. Key changes include deleting redundant phrases and adjusting wording about behavior in public spaces (e.g., changing "to linger, remain, or prowl" to "lingering, remaining, or prowling"). The bill focuses on clarifying the legal language of the existing statute rather than creating new restrictions. It was favorably reported by the committee in April 2025.
This Louisiana bill amends capital case procedures by requiring death sentences to be carried out between 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. within 60-90 days of a court-issued warrant. It specifies that inmates must have a spiritual advisor present and allows 5-7 additional witnesses at executions. The bill also updates rules for rescheduling executions after legal stays or reprieves, mandating a 30-45 day window from the reset date. These changes directly affect Louisiana death row inmates and officials managing capital punishment proceedings.
HB 403 imposes a $5-$10 fee on defendants convicted of traffic violations (including in criminal cases) in Union Parish courts. The fee revenue must be dedicated solely to covering the operational costs of the Union Parish coroner's office. This bill directly affects drivers convicted of traffic offenses in Union Parish, redirecting existing fine revenue to fund coroner operations. The key provision creates a new, mandatory fee for traffic violation convictions, with no other changes to traffic law or penalties. The bill does not affect other parishes or types of offenses beyond traffic violations in Union Parish.
HB 208 creates a new process for non-citizen offenders in Louisiana who have a final U.S. deportation order. It establishes a "Deportation Eligibility Hearing Committee" to review parole requests for these individuals, provided they haven’t been convicted of certain serious crimes (like sex offenses or violent crimes punishable by 10+ years). The bill requires approval from both the governor and the local district attorney, sets strict release conditions (including direct transfer to U.S. Homeland Security custody), and suspends the offender’s state sentence upon deportation. If deportation fails, the offender returns to state custody to complete their sentence.
HB 260 is a procedural bill that names itself "The Segus Jolivette Act" and adjusts section numbering within the legislation. It does not change any substantive homicide laws or affect specific individuals or policies. The bill’s sole provisions are administrative: naming the act after Segus Jolivette (a person likely recognized for contributions to criminal justice) and correcting section numbering. This is a commemorative measure with no policy or funding changes.
