HB 108 prohibits individuals convicted of violent crimes (as defined in Louisiana law) or sex offenses (as defined in Louisiana law) from serving on criminal juries. The bill amends the state's Code of Criminal Procedure to add this requirement as a specific disqualification for jury service. This change directly affects people with prior convictions for these offenses, barring them from jury duty in criminal cases. The law would apply to all criminal jury panels across Louisiana, modifying the existing qualifications outlined in Article 401(A)(6). The bill focuses solely on defining who cannot serve, not on other aspects of jury selection or criminal procedure.
HB 115 would end the village of Edgefield's local police chief position and police department. It allows Edgefield's mayor and city council to abolish these offices (with the chief's term ending first) and instead contract with other law enforcement agencies in Red River Parish for police services. This bill directly affects Edgefield's governance structure and law enforcement arrangements. (1 sentence)
SB 72 allows Louisiana's Office of Motor Vehicles to accept electronic signatures and digital documents for vehicle title transfers, registrations, and related transactions. It directly affects vehicle owners, dealers, and title agents by permitting electronic submission instead of paper forms, provided the office has the necessary technology. Key provisions include ensuring electronic signatures have the same legal validity as handwritten ones and permitting remote online notarization for required documents. The bill does not eliminate traditional requirements like notarization but enables electronic alternatives for compliance. This change streamlines vehicle transaction processes without altering underlying legal standards.
HB 251 requires Louisiana trial courts to hold a "contradictory hearing" and allow victims (or their families if the victim is deceased or disabled) to make a statement before granting any motion to vacate a final conviction or resentence an imprisoned person to a lesser sentence. The bill mandates that courts provide written notice of such motions to victims and their families, ensuring they can participate in the process. Any motion granted without this hearing or notice is automatically void, and pending appeals may be remanded for the court to consider the victim's input. This bill directly affects victims of crimes and their families in criminal resentencing cases, adding a procedural step to protect their right to be heard.
HB 233 updates Louisiana's jury duty compensation by setting a minimum mileage reimbursement rate of 16 cents per mile for jurors traveling to court, while aligning the maximum rate with the current rate paid to state officials. This change directly affects jurors in Louisiana courts, ensuring they receive consistent travel reimbursement for attending trials. The bill amends existing law (R.S. 13:3049(B)(1)(b)) to clarify that mileage allowances must be at least 16 cents per mile but cannot exceed the state officials' rate. It does not alter daily pay ($25 per day) or other compensation terms.
HB 245 amends Louisiana law to establish specific procedures for medical parole and medical treatment furloughs. It requires the parole committee to notify the district attorney and attorney general at least 90 days before a parole hearing and 30 days before a medical parole hearing, allowing them to review offender records and present testimony. The bill also mandates that victims or their next of kin receive written notice at least 90 days before parole hearings and 30 days before medical parole hearings, explaining their rights. Additionally, it adds provisions for medical parole eligibility for permanently disabled or terminally ill offenders, while updating parole ineligibility rules for offenses committed after August 1, 2024. These changes primarily affect incarcerated individuals seeking medical parole, prosecutors, and crime victims.
HB 246 amends Louisiana law to update membership on two advisory groups. It adds a representative from the Louisiana Maternal and Child Health Coalition to the Children's Cabinet Advisory Board and specifies new roles for the Council on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, including a kinship care subsidy program representative, a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) representative, and a representative from LouisianaChildren.org. The bill also removes outdated membership provisions from previous law. These changes directly affect the composition of these advisory boards, which provide input on child welfare and family support programs.
SB 81 requires written consent from the district attorney for defendants to waive a jury trial in noncapital felony cases. It changes Louisiana law to mandate that courts deny such waiver requests without the prosecutor's written approval, effective within 45 days before trial. The bill's implementation depends on voter approval of a related constitutional amendment (Article 1, Section 17(A)). This directly affects defendants in noncapital felony cases and prosecutors who must now provide written consent for jury waivers. The bill is currently in the prefiling stage (prefiled February 20, 2026) and not yet enacted.
HB 202 requires Louisiana state agencies to include salary ranges in all job advertisements for unclassified civil service positions. It also mandates that applicants who are rejected for such positions must receive written notice of the rejection. The bill directly affects state agencies posting these vacancies and job applicants seeking unclassified roles. These provisions aim to increase transparency in hiring processes for non-competitive state positions.
HB 220 requires "covered platforms" (like social media, video games, and messaging apps that host user-generated content) to implement a clear, easy-to-use reporting mechanism for suspected child exploitation content. Platforms must provide plain-language labels like "Report Child Sexual Exploitation," allow anonymous reporting without account registration, and confirm receipt of reports. Non-compliant platforms face civil penalties of up to $5,000 per day, with funds directed to child cybercrime investigations. The law excludes email services, government sites, educational tools, and non-user-generated content platforms from its requirements.
HB 195 prohibits public Louisiana colleges and universities from banning students from carrying self-defense chemical spray on campus, defining it as a compact device (max 2 ounces) carried on the person solely for self-defense. Exceptions allow institutions to restrict possession in buildings with armed security or at events where contracts already prohibit such items. The bill directly affects students at public postsecondary institutions by expanding their permitted campus safety tools, while maintaining institutional authority over specific high-security areas. It does not change existing campus weapon policies beyond this specific provision.
SB 100 requires drivers for transportation network companies (like Uber or Lyft) in Louisiana to carry proof of insurance at all times while working for the service. If an accident occurs, drivers must provide this insurance information to police, insurers, and involved parties, and disclose whether they were logged into the company's app or on a prearranged ride at the time. The bill mandates these disclosures to clarify coverage responsibility after accidents and imposes penalties for noncompliance. It directly affects drivers of ride-hailing services operating in Louisiana.
