Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 81: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Provides relative to waiver of a trial by jury in a noncapital felony case. (See Act)

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.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts defendant rights by requiring prosecutor consent for jury trial waiver, denying waiver without it per bill language.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 169: CRIMINAL/SENTENCING: Provides relative to extradition as a condition of probation or parole (EN INCREASE SG RV See Note)

HB 169 adds a new condition for both probation and parole in Louisiana: individuals must waive extradition to Louisiana from any U.S. or international jurisdiction and agree not to contest being returned. This applies to anyone on probation or parole who leaves Louisiana, requiring them to pay the full cost of extradition (based on their ability to pay) if returned from outside the state. The bill amends Louisiana law to include this requirement as a standard condition during probation or parole placement. It directly affects individuals under probation or parole supervision who travel outside Louisiana, imposing a financial obligation for their return. The law aims to streamline the return process for offenders who leave the state.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds extradition waiver and cost payment as probation/parole condition, restricting offender movement and imposing financial burden, opposing reform efforts92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 351: CORRECTIONS: Provides relative to the reentry preparation program (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 351 repeals two specific provisions related to Louisiana's reentry preparation program for formerly incarcerated individuals. It removes a requirement (R.S. 15:827.1(E)) about reentry programs and eliminates an entrepreneurial educational curriculum component within that program. This bill directly affects inmates participating in Louisiana's reentry programs by removing these specific policy requirements from state law. The change is procedural, with no new requirements or funding added.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves entrepreneurial curriculum from reentry program, reducing rehabilitation components per bill summary95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRemoves entrepreneurial educational curriculum component from reentry program, directly eliminating an educational requirement for formerly incarcerated individuals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 330: CRIMINAL/PENALTIES: Provides relative to the desecration of graves and religious institutions (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF RV)

HB 330 amends Louisiana law to strengthen penalties for damaging graves and religious institutions. It increases fines for grave desecration to up to $500,000 or six months in jail (plus mandatory restitution), and for religious building vandalism, fines range from $500 to $5,000 based on damage costs (with imprisonment up to two years for $500+ damage). The bill directly affects individuals who intentionally damage graves or religious structures, requiring courts to order offenders to pay for the damage sustained. These provisions apply to all such offenses, with enhanced penalties specifically for religious sites.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for grave/religious vandalism with stricter fines/jail terms, directly expanding criminalization without reform elements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 27, 2026

HB 138: DISTRICTS/NEIGHBORHOOD: Provides relative to the Parkwood Terrace Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Improvement District in East Baton Rouge Parish

HB 138 amends Louisiana law to regulate the Parkwood Terrace Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Improvement District in East Baton Rouge Parish. It sets a yearly parcel fee for residential properties within the district between $100 and $150, requiring initial voter approval and allowing a 10% annual increase without new votes (but not exceeding the $150 cap). The fee must be supplemental to city and parish law enforcement services, expires after 10 years (with possible renewal), and cannot be combined with other fees to exceed the $150 limit. This directly affects property owners in the Parkwood Terrace district by establishing clear rules for funding neighborhood safety initiatives.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds neighborhood crime prevention district via supplemental parcel fees, advancing local law enforcement initiatives without defunding existing services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 306: RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS/LIBERTIES: Creates the crime of obstruction of the freedom of worship in a church or other place of worship. (gov sig)

SB 306 creates a new criminal offense in Louisiana for obstructing freedom of worship at churches or other places of worship. It prohibits specific actions including using force to intimidate attendees, damaging church property, blocking lawful access to the building, or engaging in disruptive activities during scheduled worship services. Violations carry fines up to $25,000 and imprisonment up to 18 months for repeat offenses, with enhanced penalties if bodily injury occurs. The law directly affects individuals who interfere with religious gatherings on private religious property, aiming to protect the orderly conduct of worship as defined by the bill.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offense for obstructing worship, expanding criminalization per indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 296: CORRECTIONS: Repeals the Reentry Advisory Council and Offender Rehabilitation Workforce Development Act (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF RV)

HB 296 repeals Louisiana’s Reentry Advisory Council and the Offender Rehabilitation Workforce Development Act (specifically R.S. 15:1199.1-1199.16 and R.S. 13:5401(B)(1)(a)). This bill removes legal requirements for the advisory council, data collection on inmate workforce programs, and references to the Reentry Advisory Council in statutes governing work release programs (e.g., R.S. 15:827, 1113) and the Louisiana Work Opportunity Tax Credit (R.S. 47:287.750). It directly affects correctional workforce development programs, state agencies managing inmate work programs, and businesses participating in work release initiatives. The repeal eliminates the council’s role and related administrative criteria, though work release programs themselves remain referenced under other statutes.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRepeals Louisiana Work Opportunity Tax Credit statute (R.S. 47:287.750), defunding a tax relief program.95% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals mandatory offender rehabilitation programs and advisory council, eliminating workforce development requirements for inmates per repealed statutes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 58: BAIL: Restricts post-conviction bail for certain offenders (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

HB 58 restricts bail for certain convicted individuals in Louisiana. It prohibits bail after conviction for capital offenses (like murder) and for specific violent sex crimes against minors (defined as offenses requiring registration under state law). The bill creates a strong legal presumption against releasing these offenders, meaning courts cannot grant bail unless they prove the person poses no danger to others or risk of fleeing. This directly affects people convicted of these serious crimes who would otherwise seek bail before sentencing or final judgment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts bail for serious offenders, reducing defendant rights and increasing incarceration, opposing reform-focused criminal justice approaches.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HB 51: BAIL: (Constitutional Amendment) Restricts post-conviction bail for certain offenders (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

HB 51 proposes a constitutional amendment to Louisiana's Constitution that would prohibit bail after a conviction for certain offenses. Specifically, it would ban bail for defendants convicted of an "aggravated offense" (as defined in state law) committed against a minor victim. This change would apply only after a conviction and before sentencing or final judgment, affecting individuals found guilty of these specific crimes against children. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 election to take effect.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBans bail after conviction for crimes against minors, reducing defendant rights and increasing punitive measures per indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

passed · Louisiana · House May 19, 2026

HB 985: SEX OFFENSE/REGISTRY: Provides relative to identification procedures for sex offenders (EG1 +$200,000 SG EX See Note)

This bill requires sex offenders in Louisiana to carry identification documents that clearly mark them as such, including QR codes and orange "sex offender" text on both driver's licenses and special identification cards. The law mandates that these individuals renew their identification annually at a motor vehicle office, where they must verify their registration information including address and employer details before receiving a new card or license. Anyone who intentionally fails to comply with these requirements faces fines of up to $500 or up to six months in jail, and the provisions apply to all registered sex offenders regardless of when their conviction occurred.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes additional restrictions on sex offenders by requiring identification with visible markings and annual verification, limiting their privacy and mobility rights.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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