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 · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 339: GAMING: Provides relative to criminal background checks in the gaming industry. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE SG EX See Note)

SB 339 requires background checks for individuals applying to work in Louisiana's horse racing and charitable gaming industries. It mandates that applicants submit fingerprints to the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification for state and national criminal history checks, including records that were expunged or dismissed. The bill specifies that license applicants (for the Racing Commission or Office of Charitable Gaming) must cover the costs of these checks, and the Louisiana Department of Justice will review the results during licensing. These checks apply to all applicants seeking licenses for gaming operations, ensuring criminal history is reviewed as part of the licensing process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires strict background checks including expunged records for gaming industry employment, strengthening criminal justice oversight in workforce screening.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 345: JUVENILE JUSTICE: Requires the office of juvenile justice to submit an annual report to the legislature. (8/1/26)

SB 345 requires Louisiana's Office of Juvenile Justice to submit an annual report by February 1st to the Senate Judiciary B Committee and the legislative research library. The report must detail prevention programs, diversion program development, access to education/health resources for juveniles in custody, and specific statistics on juvenile custody numbers, complaints, investigations, and lawsuits. This bill increases transparency in the juvenile justice system by mandating regular, standardized reporting on key operational metrics. It directly affects the Office of Juvenile Justice, which must now collect and submit this data annually.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates annual transparency reports on juvenile justice programs and statistics, enhancing oversight and accountability in the system.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 320: LAW ENFORCEMENT: Provides relative to DNA detection of sexual and violent offenses. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE See Note)

SB 320 requires Louisiana law enforcement agencies to track and resolve DNA matches from unsolved sexual assault and violent crime cases within 90 days of notification. It creates a central statewide system managed by the state police to monitor "outstanding" DNA matches (cases where agencies haven't acted on the lead within 90 days) and mandates all relevant agencies - including police departments, district attorneys, and crime labs - to report data to this system by January 2027. The law also requires annual public reports detailing statewide and regional statistics on outstanding matches and resolutions. This directly affects law enforcement agencies handling criminal investigations involving DNA evidence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates timely resolution of DNA leads in sexual assault/violent crime cases, creating a statewide tracking system to advance case resolution and improve criminal justice outcomes.90% 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

passed · Louisiana · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 123: GOVERNOR: Constitutional amendment to require the governor to certify a legislative address removing certain judges for cause. (2/3 - CA13s1(A)) (EG2 INCREASE GF EX See Note)

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment in Louisiana that would allow the governor to recommend suspending or removing district attorneys and certain judges (district, juvenile, family, or municipal courts) for malfeasance, gross misconduct, or incompetence. If the governor recommends suspension, the Senate must approve it with a two-thirds vote; for removal, the Senate would hold a trial and require a two-thirds vote to remove the official. Removed officials would be permanently barred from holding any judicial office in Louisiana. The amendment requires voter approval in the April 2027 election and is currently pending committee review.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances accountability of judges and district attorneys for misconduct, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of oversight and integrity.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

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