Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 132: CRIME/BATTERY: Provides relative to battery (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

HB 132 clarifies that intentionally directing loud sounds (like bullhorns, air horns, or amplified speakers) at a police officer’s head or ear within three feet - under circumstances likely to cause pain or hearing injury - counts as battery. It defines "close proximity" as within three feet of an officer’s ear/head and specifies that using acoustic devices to target an officer meets this standard. The bill increases penalties for battery committed by two or more people acting together or causing injuries requiring medical care, with sentences up to 7 years in prison for the most severe cases. This law directly affects individuals who use loud devices near officers, expanding what constitutes a criminal offense under Louisiana’s battery statutes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for battery against officers using loud devices, expanding criminalization of protest tactics targeting law enforcement.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 82: DWI: Provides relative to penalties for DWI offenses (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 82 amends penalties for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) offenses by changing a specific penalty duration from "twelve months" to "twelve years." This change directly affects individuals convicted of DWI offenses, significantly increasing the potential jail time for certain violations. The bill modifies an existing penalty provision within the DWI statute, focusing on the length of incarceration rather than introducing new categories or requirements. As a substantive policy change, it represents a major adjustment to sentencing for DWI convictions in the jurisdiction.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases DWI penalties from 12 months to 12 years, raising mandatory incarceration without rehabilitation focus95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 231: DOMESTIC ABUSE: Adds intentional evasion of service of process for certain court orders as conduct that constitutes a violation of a protective order

HB 231 creates a new criminal offense for intentionally avoiding service of specific court orders, directly affecting individuals who evade legal notices related to protective orders, custody cases, or other civil/criminal proceedings. The bill makes it a violation to deliberately skip being served with orders issued under laws covering domestic violence (R.S. 9:361 et seq.), child custody (R.S. 28:53.2), or certain civil/criminal court processes (e.g., Code of Civil Procedure Articles 3601 or 3607.1). Key provisions define which orders trigger this crime and establish criminal penalties for intentional evasion, rather than focusing on the underlying order's content. This policy change adds a criminal consequence for avoiding court-ordered notices, targeting a specific behavior without altering the substantive requirements of the covered orders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for evading court orders, expanding criminalization without reform measures or defendant protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 191: CRIMINAL/SENTENCING: Provides relative to credit for prior custody (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 191 prevents overlapping jail credit for defendants serving consecutive sentences on multiple charges. It requires that time spent in actual custody counts toward only one sentence, not multiple consecutive sentences. The bill invalidates any previous jail credit awarded in violation of this rule, declaring it "null, void, and of no effect." This change directly affects individuals convicted of multiple offenses who may have previously received double-counted credit for the same time served.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticePrevents double-counting jail credit for consecutive sentences, increasing effective sentence lengths and reducing defendant rights by invalidating prior overlapping credits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 320: 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.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for inmate sexual exposure in corrections, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization in correctional facilities.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 46: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Creates the crime of unlawful operation of a group home. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 46 creates a new criminal offense for operating an unlicensed group home in Louisiana. It directly affects individuals or entities managing homes that house two or more non-related people needing daily living assistance, without proper state or local licensing. The bill defines key terms (like "operator" and "unlicensed group home") and sets tiered penalties: fines up to $1,000 or 6 months in jail for basic violations; up to $10,000 or 10 years in prison (with 1 year mandatory) for conditions causing harm; and 5-40 years in prison (with 3 years mandatory) if conditions contribute to a resident's death. These penalties are triggered by specific evidence of control, such as power of attorney over residents' assets or handling their government benefits.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense with mandatory prison time, expanding criminalization of unlicensed group home operations without reform indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 51: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Creates the crime of fraudulent representation of military service or awards. (8/1/26)

SB 51 creates a new criminal offense for falsely claiming military service or awards to gain benefits. It directly affects individuals who lie about receiving military honors (like medals or service records) to obtain economic advantages, veteran benefits, or privileges. The bill establishes tiered penalties: up to $1,000 or 6 months in jail for basic false claims, up to $5,000 or 1 year for falsely claiming major awards (e.g., Medal of Honor), and up to $10,000, 5 years in prison, or restitution for fraud that secures benefits reserved for veterans or their families. Definitions clarify that "award" includes medals, ribbons, and official service records maintained by military or state forces.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense with tiered penalties, expanding criminalization of false military service claims rather than reforming justice system.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill prevents fraud in veteran benefits, protecting legitimate recipients and system integrity by penalizing false claims of military service.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 14, 2026

HB 336: CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to post-conviction relief

HB 336 establishes new rules for inmates seeking post-conviction relief after federal habeas corpus proceedings are stayed to allow exhaustion of state remedies. It requires petitioners to submit unexhausted claims to Louisiana state district courts within 30 days, proving they had good cause for not raising the claim earlier, that the claim isn't frivolous, and they avoided delaying tactics. Applications failing to meet these requirements face automatic dismissal. The bill mandates expedited review by state courts and prioritized handling by the Louisiana Supreme Court for these claims.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts post-conviction relief by mandating strict requirements (good cause, non-frivolous claims) and automatic dismissal for non-compliance, limiting defendant rights in criminal justice process.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 152: CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: Adds certain substances to the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 152 adds 13 specific synthetic opioids, including various fentanyl analogs like N-Pyrrolidino metonitazene and Beta-Methylacetyl fentanyl, to Louisiana's Schedule I controlled substances list. This means these substances are now classified as illegal without a prescription, making possession or distribution a criminal offense under state law. The bill directly affects individuals who use or distribute these drugs, as they will face the same legal penalties as other Schedule I substances. The change updates Louisiana's controlled substances law to address emerging synthetic drugs identified through chemical names.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds synthetic opioids to Schedule I, expanding criminalization of possession/distribution without reform measures.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 131: CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to post-conviction relief

HB 131 modifies Louisiana's post-conviction relief process by adding two new restrictions on appeals. It denies relief if a petitioner knew about a claim but failed to raise it during trial (Article 930.4(B)) or raised it in trial but didn’t pursue it on appeal (Article 930.4(C)). The bill also changes custody rules: if relief is granted, the person cannot be released on bail until Louisiana’s Supreme Court finishes reviewing the case (Article 930.5(C)). This directly affects individuals convicted of crimes seeking to overturn their convictions through post-conviction appeals. The law aims to reduce repetitive or incomplete appeals while clarifying custody procedures during appeals.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts post-conviction appeals by denying relief for procedural failures, limiting defendant rights and opposing reform efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice