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 No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 322: PARDON/PAROLE: Prohibits the assessment of any fees or costs against certain individuals who request a copy of testimony presented in executive session before the Board of Pardons and committee on parole

HB 322 prohibits Louisiana state agencies from charging fees or costs to victims, spouses of victims, next of kin of deceased victims, or legal guardians who request copies of testimony from private hearings of the Board of Pardons and parole committee. The bill specifically amends state law to remove financial barriers for these individuals seeking testimony records related to parole or pardon proceedings. It does not affect other requesters or prevent law enforcement from sharing information as required by law. The policy change directly impacts those with direct connections to cases reviewed by these boards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves financial barriers for victims/families accessing parole testimony records, enhancing transparency in criminal justice proceedings90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 568: CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: Provides relative to penalty enhancements for violations of drug free school zones (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 568 increases penalties for drug offenses near schools in Louisiana. It directly affects individuals who sell, use, or vape drugs on school property, within 2,000 feet of school grounds, or on school buses. Key provisions include doubling fines, adding mandatory prison time (up to 1 year) without parole or probation for certain violations, and requiring fines up to $1,000. The bill modifies existing drug laws to strengthen enforcement in school zones.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory prison time and doubles fines for drug offenses near schools, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per bill provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 263: COURTS: Provides with respect to the magistrate judge of the Fourteenth Judicial District Court and authority relative to specialty court programs

HB 263 allows the magistrate judge of Louisiana's Fourteenth Judicial District Court to preside over specialty court programs and fully handle related felony charges, subject to approval by the district court's judges. It defines "specialty court" to include programs like drug courts, Veterans Court, mental health courts, DWI courts, reentry courts, and domestic abuse courts. This bill directly affects the magistrate judge's authority and specialty court participants by expanding their role in adjudicating felony cases within these specialized programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands magistrate authority for specialty courts (mental health, drug, Veterans courts) focused on rehabilitation over punishment, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 55: CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to disclosure of juror information (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

HB 55 prohibits the public disclosure of jurors' personal information, such as names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, images, or likenesses, to protect juror privacy and safety. It allows courts to disclose such information only if a person demonstrates "good cause" and the court approves, while permitting courts to limit disclosures to safeguard juror identity. Violating this prohibition carries penalties of up to $1,000 fines, six months in jail, or both. The bill specifically exempts these privacy protections from Louisiana's public records laws, ensuring juror details remain confidential unless court-approved.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHB 55 protects juror privacy and safety through disclosure restrictions, strengthening court procedures within criminal justice by safeguarding a critical system component.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects juror data privacy by restricting unauthorized disclosure of personal information, aligning with data privacy protections in technology policy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed · Louisiana · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 313: CLERKS OF COURT: Prohibits clerks of court's vendors from charging additional electronic filing fees in criminal and traffic actions. (8/1/26)

SB 313 prohibits Louisiana county clerks of court from charging additional fees for electronic filings in criminal cases, including related service fees. This directly affects criminal defendants, their attorneys, and court staff who use electronic filing systems for criminal matters. The bill amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to ensure no extra charges are assessed beyond standard filing costs for electronic submissions in criminal cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves financial barriers for electronic filings in criminal cases, improving access to court processes and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 416: STATE EMPLOYEE RET: Provides relative to reemployment of retirees to fill critical shortage positions within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, corrections services. (2/3-CA10s(29)(F)) (8/1/26) (EN SEE ACTUARIAL NOTE FC)

This bill allows retired state employees to return to work in specific critical shortage positions within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, overriding the usual two-year reemployment ban for those who retired under early retirement incentive plans. To qualify, positions must be full-time roles that have been advertised through civil service rules but received too few applicants, including leadership roles like majors and captains, as well as nurses and social workers. Retirees who return to these positions can keep their full retirement benefits while both they and the department continue making required contributions to the retirement system, though they do not earn additional service credit or benefits. The department secretary must certify the need for each position and review annually whether reemployment remains necessary, while disability retirees are excluded from returning under this provision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill addresses critical staffing shortages in corrections and public safety, improving operational capacity and potentially enhancing public safety outcomes.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill addresses critical workforce shortages by allowing retired employees to return to essential positions, strengthening public safety staffing and protecting workers' employment opportunities in critical roles.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 68: CRIME: Provides relative to conduct that constitutes disturbing the peace (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 68 adds a specific offense to Louisiana's disturbing the peace law, prohibiting the interruption of worship services or religious ceremonies at churches or other places of worship. The bill defines this conduct as disturbing the peace, with penalties including fines up to $500, imprisonment up to six months, or both, and requires at least 15 days of the sentence to be served without probation. This law directly affects individuals who disrupt religious gatherings, making such interruptions a criminal offense. The bill does not change existing penalties for other disturbing the peace violations but specifically targets disruptions at religious sites.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds new criminal offense for disrupting religious services with mandatory penalties, expanding criminalization and increasing sentences beyond standard disturbing the peace.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 185: SEX OFFENSES: Provides that nondisclosure agreements involving victims of child sexual abuse are against public policy and unenforceable. (gov sig) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 185 makes it illegal for agreements to prevent child sexual abuse victims from discussing or disclosing their abuse. The bill declares that any nondisclosure agreement involving such victims is unenforceable in court and against public policy. This directly affects victims in Louisiana by removing legal barriers to speaking about their experiences. The law ensures victims cannot be silenced through binding contracts, focusing solely on this specific policy change.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects victims' rights by invalidating nondisclosure agreements in child sexual abuse cases, aligning with civil rights and criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice