Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 251: CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides with respect to criminal resentencing

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires victim participation in resentencing motions, aligning with victim protection in criminal justice reform.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 245: PAROLE: Provides relative to medical parole (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes medical parole procedures, aligning with criminal justice reform by addressing inmate healthcare needs and reducing unnecessary incarceration through structured release processes.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 362: DISTRICTS/CRIME PREVENT: Creates the Regency Park Townhomes Crime Prevention and Security District in Orleans Parish

HB 362 creates a special crime prevention and security district for Regency Park Townhomes residents in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. The district, governed by a five-member board (including association leaders and resident members), will fund security patrols, improved lighting, signage, and beautification through a voter-approved annual parcel fee of up to $300 per property. Property owners within the defined boundaries (bounded by Morrison Road, Downman Road, Seabrook Place, and Countess Lane) will pay this fee, collected like property taxes, with funds restricted solely to district security and maintenance. The district operates as a political subdivision under Louisiana law, requiring voter approval for fee implementation and renewal.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates a crime prevention district funding security patrols, lighting, and signage through voter-approved fees, directly advancing localized crime prevention measures within criminal justice framework.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 533: COURTS: Requires the governing authority of St. Tammany Parish to transfer certain monies into the criminal court fund of the 22nd Judicial District Court (EN NO IMPACT LF See Note)

HB 533 requires St. Tammany Parish’s governing authority to transfer any surplus funds from its special court fund to the 22nd Judicial District Court’s criminal court fund annually. Surplus is defined as money remaining after paying witness fees to off-duty law enforcement officers for court appearances that year. The transferred funds can be used for any purpose allowed under the criminal court fund’s existing rules. This bill directly affects St. Tammany Parish’s budget management and the 22nd Judicial District Court’s funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTransfers surplus court funds to criminal court fund, providing additional resources for judicial operations without restrictions or cuts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed both · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HCR 50: CORR FACILITIES/JAILS: Requests certain state and governmental entities to report on opioid abatement and treatment programs in correctional facilities, and to clarify guidance regarding available funding for such programs

This bill asks state agencies and law enforcement groups to report on how they are using opioid settlement funds for treatment and prevention programs in correctional facilities. It also requests that the Opioid Abatement Task Force and the Attorney General provide clearer guidance on which expenses are allowed under these funds. The measure aims to address concerns raised in a recent audit that many local areas have not spent their allocated money due to confusion about rules and a lack of available programs. By gathering this information, the state hopes to ensure that the millions of dollars received from opioid lawsuits are used effectively to help incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes rehabilitation and treatment programs in correctional facilities, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to clarify funding rules and expand opioid treatment programs in correctional facilities, directly strengthening access to healthcare services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed both · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HCR 64: 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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes behavioral health courts to improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 27, 2026

HB 67: PUBLIC RECORDS: Provides for protected information of certain individuals

HB 67 amends Louisiana law to require removal of personal information for individuals recognized as "protected" (such as victims of certain crimes or abuse) from public records maintained by the secretary of state and district clerks. It directly affects these protected individuals by ensuring their personal details - like addresses or contact information - are not left publicly accessible online or in physical court files. The bill mandates that offices must proactively remove such information from publicly posted records, rather than allowing individuals to opt out of removal. This creates a concrete policy change to enhance privacy for vulnerable groups in government databases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects victim privacy by removing sensitive personal info from public records, aligning with civil rights and victim safety in criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates removal of protected individuals' personal data from public digital records, directly enhancing data privacy protections in technology systems.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 1238: LABOR: Enacts the Louisiana Behind the Counter Protection Act (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)

This bill, known as the Louisiana Behind the Counter Protection Act, strengthens penalties for crimes committed against employees working at retail and food service counters, drive-through windows, or similar customer service points. It increases the maximum fines and prison sentences for simple assault and battery when the victim is an employee performing their duties at a regulated establishment. Additionally, the law requires businesses to display a specific warning sign informing the public that workplace violence against these employees is a crime. The act defines workplace violence broadly to include physical attacks, threats, intimidation, and verbal abuse directed at staff while they are on the job.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens penalties for crimes against retail employees, enhancing protection for workers and victims within the criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens penalties for crimes against retail employees, enhancing workplace safety and protecting workers' rights.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 92: CRIMINAL RECORDS: Requires district attorneys to submit sexual assault collection kits to the statewide tracking system. (8/1/26)

SB 92 requires Louisiana district attorney offices to submit information about sexual assault collection kits to a statewide tracking system by July 1, 2024. This mandate applies to all relevant entities, including law enforcement and healthcare providers handling these kits, to ensure consistent tracking of evidence. The law also requires the state police to report on implementation progress, including phased rollout plans, to legislative committees and the governor by January 1, 2024. The system aims to improve transparency and coordination in handling sexual assault cases, with the bill taking effect August 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires tracking of sexual assault evidence to improve prosecution efficiency and victim justice, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice