Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 552: DWI: Provides relative to driving while intoxicated (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 552 amends Louisiana's DWI laws to explicitly include "impaired" driving alongside "intoxicated" driving, expanding the scope of the offense to cover impairment from alcohol or drugs. It clarifies that city and municipal courts can handle first and second DWI offenses (with penalties matching state law), but third or subsequent offenses must be tried in district court with a jury. The bill also requires courts to assess additional costs when alcohol was a factor in any offense, and makes intoxilyzer test results automatically admissible as evidence in DWI cases. These changes directly affect drivers facing DWI charges, local courts handling such cases, and prosecutors presenting evidence.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding 'impaired' driving to DWI offenses, broadening prosecution scope beyond intoxication alone.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 823: COURTS: Establishes a homeless diversion pilot program in Orleans Parish (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX See Note)

HB 823 establishes a pilot program in Orleans Parish that offers homeless individuals facing criminal charges an alternative to court proceedings. Instead of traditional sentencing, eligible defendants can participate in a diversion program providing housing assistance, mental health services, job training, and substance abuse treatment. If participants successfully complete the program’s requirements, the criminal charges are dismissed without a conviction. The program requires annual evaluations and reporting to the Louisiana Supreme Court, aiming to reduce recidivism, court workload, and prison overcrowding while addressing homelessness through community partnerships.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates diversion program replacing court with housing/mental health services; dismisses charges on completion, reducing recidivism and aligning with reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides mental health services as core component of diversion program, advancing access to mental healthcare for homeless individuals facing criminal charges.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides housing assistance as core component of homeless diversion program, directly addressing homelessness through housing access and services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 429: CRIME/THEFT: Adds theft or unauthorized entry of a critical infrastructure as a predicate crime for terrorism (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 429 adds theft or unauthorized entry of oil and gas facilities - including drilling, production, transportation, and storage equipment - as a specific act that qualifies as terrorism under Louisiana law. It directly affects individuals who steal or trespass at these facilities by making such acts punishable as terrorism, not just theft. The bill defines "critical infrastructure" to explicitly include oil and gas operations and sets a minimum 20-year prison sentence for terrorism convictions involving these facilities. This amendment changes the legal classification of such crimes, increasing penalties for offenses previously treated as theft.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of theft at oil/gas facilities as terrorism with 20+ year mandatory sentences, increasing penalties and restricting defendant rights.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProtects oil and gas infrastructure (a core energy production sector) by classifying theft as terrorism, strengthening security for critical energy facilities.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly targets theft of oil/gas transportation infrastructure as terrorism, strengthening protection of transportation assets through criminal penalties.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 1247: CRIME/SEX OFFENSES: Creates a statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Coordinator

HB 1247 establishes a statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Coordinator to oversee and support forensic care for sexual assault survivors across the state. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, and survivors by creating a centralized role to improve the consistency and quality of medical examinations and evidence collection. Key provisions include defining the coordinator's responsibilities, setting up a funding mechanism, and outlining procedures for training and certification of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. The legislation aims to streamline the response to sexual assaults by ensuring survivors receive standardized, trauma-informed care from qualified professionals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes a coordinator to improve forensic care and evidence collection for sexual assault survivors, enhancing the integrity of the criminal justice process.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a coordinator to improve forensic care quality and evidence collection for sexual assault survivors, directly advancing healthcare services and patient support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1204: JUVENILES: Provides relative to the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program

This bill amends state laws to update the funding and administration of the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program for at-risk juveniles. It mandates that fifteen percent of annual savings from criminal justice reforms be directed to the program. The Office of Juvenile Justice within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections is designated as the intermediary to manage the funds. Administration of the program will involve a partnership between this office, other state departments, and selected nonprofit groups.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates allocation of 15% of savings to fund a youth program, increasing public service funding.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds a juvenile rehabilitation program using savings from criminal justice reforms, indicating support for reform and rehabilitation within the justice system.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 969: CRIMINAL/VICTIMS: Provides relative to compensation for victims of criminal offenses (EN SEE FISC NOTE SD EX)

This bill updates Louisiana's Crime Victims' Compensation Fund by renaming it from the Crime Victims Reparations Fund and establishing clearer rules for how funds are collected and distributed. It requires gambling operators to deposit unclaimed pari-mutuel ticket money into the fund, specifically for health care services related to sexually oriented criminal offenses. The legislation also mandates that parole committees order restitution from offenders who caused financial harm to victims, with payments directed to the compensation fund if victims cannot be located. Additionally, the bill prohibits the assignment of crime victim compensation payments to third parties and repeals the Victims of Vehicular Homicide Act.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens victim compensation fund and mandates restitution, enhancing victim support within criminal justice system85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1070: CRIMINAL/JUSTICE: Provides relative to the Trial Court Case Management Information Fund (EN SEE FISC NOTE SD RV)

This bill requires courts to charge defendants an additional three-dollar fee, reduced to one dollar in smaller municipalities, to fund a trial court case management information system. The money collected is placed in a special state fund managed by the judicial administrator, which can only be used to develop and maintain computer systems that help judges, clerks, law enforcement, and other officials manage criminal and juvenile justice cases more efficiently. The bill also establishes the administrator's role in coordinating with policy boards and conducting compliance checks to ensure the fees are properly collected and spent.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds trial court case management systems to improve efficiency in criminal and juvenile justice case handling for judges, clerks, and law enforcement.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds development and maintenance of computer systems for court case management, directly supporting technology infrastructure in the justice system.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 160: DOMESTIC ABUSE: Increases the penalties for certain domestic violence offenses that involve strangulation (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

HB 160 increases penalties for domestic violence offenses involving strangulation in Louisiana. It specifically targets offenders convicted under two existing statutes: battery of a dating partner (R.S. 14:34.9) and domestic abuse battery (R.S. 14:35.3). The bill adds a mandatory prison term of 3 to 10 years at hard labor in addition to any other penalties when strangulation is involved in these offenses. This change directly affects individuals convicted of domestic violence crimes where strangulation occurred, without creating new offenses or altering the definition of domestic violence.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory prison terms (3-10 years) for domestic violence strangulation, aligning with 'oppose' indicator of harsher sentencing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 126: COURTS: Provides relative to the use of a facility dog by a witness during certain circumstances

HB 126 allows courts in Louisiana to permit facility dogs to accompany specific witnesses during testimony. It directly affects minors under 18, individuals with developmental disabilities (as defined by law), and victims of sex offenses (as defined in state law). The bill requires courts to permit a facility dog if available while these witnesses testify, aiming to help reduce anxiety. The provision applies during court proceedings and does not change existing legal standards or outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables facility dogs for vulnerable witnesses (minors, disabled, sex offense victims) during testimony to reduce anxiety, improving court process within criminal justice system.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 137: CRIMINAL/SENTENCING: Changes sentencing guidelines for posting or calling in threats to schools (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 137 increases penalties for threatening schools by adding a new offense: terrorizing or menacing school property, events, or firearm-free zones. It mandates 5-15 years in prison (no parole) for adults and fines up to $15,000 for such threats. Schools must distribute age-appropriate information about these crimes to students in grades 6+ and their parents annually. Parents or guardians of minors committing these acts face civil fines ($5,000-$10,000), and juvenile courts must consider restitution for response costs.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory prison terms (5-15 years, no parole) and fines for school threats, expanding criminalization of speech and harshening sentencing guidelines.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other