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

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 83: SCHOOLS: Provides for training to prevent human trafficking at public elementary and secondary schools and provides for victims' services. (gov sig) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 83 requires Louisiana public school boards to adopt human trafficking prevention policies starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Each school must designate at least one employee (a counselor, mental health professional, or administrator) to complete annual training on identifying trafficking indicators, reporting requirements, and victim resources, with the state providing training options. The bill also expands victim services by directing the Department of Children and Family Services to develop coordinated care plans for child and youth trafficking victims, including access to health, housing, and legal support. Charter schools are specifically exempt from most public school mandates but must comply with this training requirement (R.S. 3996(B)(92)). Annual reports on victim services and trafficking investigations will be submitted to the governor’s office and legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates human trafficking prevention training in schools and expands victim services, directly supporting criminal justice system's victim protection efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

in committee · Louisiana · House May 19, 2026

HB 778: CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: Provides with respect to the possession of Kratom (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 778 regulates kratom in Louisiana by banning possession, production, and distribution of natural kratom products (defined as substances from *Mitragyna speciosa* leaves or containing 7-hydroxymitragynine/mitragynine). It sets penalties based on quantity: fines up to $50,000 and up to 5 years in prison for large-scale distribution, while small personal possession (under 20g) incurs minor fines. The bill also targets synthetic kratom derivatives by prohibiting products exceeding specific chemical limits (e.g., >2% 7-hydroxymitragynine per serving) or containing synthetically altered compounds, with stricter penalties for synthetic products. This directly affects anyone selling, producing, or possessing kratom products in Louisiana. The bill is pending legislative action as of its 2026 filing.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBans kratom possession/distribution with penalties, expanding criminalization of substance use, opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 590: TRAFFIC/VIOLATIONS: Provides with respect to training law enforcement officers regarding certain traffic stops

HB 590 creates two new programs to improve communication during traffic stops for drivers with specific conditions. The Green Envelope Program provides specially designed green envelopes (for drivers with mental health conditions or their guardians) and the Blue Envelope Program provides blue envelopes (for drivers with autism spectrum disorder or their guardians). Each envelope includes exterior communication guidelines for law enforcement and can hold essential documents like licenses, registrations, and medical information, with no medical documentation required to request either envelope. The programs aim to help officers interact more effectively during stops, directly affecting drivers with these conditions and their families.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates communication programs for traffic stops involving vulnerable drivers, enhancing officer training to reduce conflicts and protect civil rights during law enforcement interactions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 341: LAW ENFORCEMENT: Provides for rights of law enforcement officers while under investigation

HB 341 establishes specific procedural rights for Louisiana law enforcement officers (including city police, campus police, and state-certified probation officers) during administrative investigations into misconduct. It requires employers to provide written notice of investigations and charges, mandates that all interrogations be recorded in full, and guarantees officers the right to have legal counsel present and to obtain copies of recordings. The bill also sets strict timelines, requiring investigations to conclude within 75 days (with limited extensions up to 60 days for good cause) and prohibits using statements from administrative investigations in criminal cases. These provisions directly affect officers facing disciplinary actions, ensuring transparency and due process during their investigations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill strengthens procedural protections for officers during misconduct investigations, potentially hindering oversight and accountability efforts in law enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Probation & Parole

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in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 366: DOMESTIC ABUSE: Provides relative to continuance of hearings in domestic abuse matters

HB 366 limits court delays in domestic abuse cases by restricting the maximum continuance (postponement) of temporary restraining order hearings to 15 days, unless "good cause" is shown for an extension. This directly affects domestic abuse victims seeking immediate protection through temporary restraining orders. The bill amends Louisiana law to require courts to justify longer delays, preventing indefinite postponements. It focuses on streamlining the process for victims to secure safety orders without unnecessary delays.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLimits court delays in domestic abuse cases to ensure timely protection for victims, advancing victim safety within criminal justice proceedings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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signed · Louisiana · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 118: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Provides for substance use disorder screening of all misdemeanor DUI offenders. (8/1/26) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 118 requires courts to screen all misdemeanor DUI offenders (first and second offenses) for substance use disorder risk as part of probation conditions. It mandates using evidence-based screening tools validated for impaired driving, with results kept confidential and shared directly with the court, prosecutors, and defense counsel. If screening indicates risk, courts may order a full assessment by a licensed clinician to determine if a substance use disorder diagnosis exists. This policy applies to both first and second offense DUI cases under Louisiana law, focusing on early intervention rather than altering penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates substance use disorder screening for DUI offenders to enable rehabilitation, reducing recidivism through evidence-based treatment pathways rather than punitive measures.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Probation & Parole

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 26: HEALTH SERVICES: Provides relative to opioid treatment programs. (gov sig)

SB 26 repeals two Louisiana statutes (R.S. 40:2116(B)(5) and 2159) that required facility need reviews for opioid treatment programs. This bill directly affects opioid treatment facilities in Louisiana by removing a specific administrative review requirement. The key change is eliminating the need for these facilities to undergo a separate review process before operating, streamlining their regulatory compliance under state law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves administrative barriers for opioid treatment facilities, advancing rehabilitation programs aligned with criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves administrative review requirement for opioid treatment facilities, streamlining operations and improving access to healthcare services under public health programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 479: CRIMINAL/JUSTICE: Creates the Fiscal Truth in Sentencing Act (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 479, the Fiscal Truth in Sentencing Act, requires Louisiana district clerks of court to provide quarterly reports to the legislative auditor containing sentencing data, including the number of sentences and total confinement years per judge, excluding traffic cases. It specifically mandates reporting on juvenile cases sentenced to incarceration (20+ years) starting in 2026. The legislative auditor uses this data, combined with annual budget figures from criminal justice agencies, to create annual reports projecting five-year incarceration costs and average per-person costs. This law aims to improve budget transparency for the criminal justice system by standardizing data collection and reporting.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires sentencing data transparency for juvenile cases (20+ years), enhancing oversight in criminal justice through legislative audit of sentencing practices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing

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passed · Louisiana · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 182: NURSES: Provides relative to victims of sexual assault (EG +$4,000,000 LF See Note)

HB 182 requires all licensed hospitals and healthcare providers in Louisiana to ensure a qualified healthcare professional (such as a physician or sexual assault nurse examiner) is available during operating hours to provide forensic examinations and treatment to sexual assault survivors. It mandates that facilities offer survivors information about these services and maintain personnel trained to conduct forensic medical exams. The bill directly affects hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers statewide by setting new standards for their response to sexual assault cases. It defines key terms like "qualified healthcare professional" to clarify who can perform these examinations, aiming to improve access to specialized care for survivors.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates forensic exam access for sexual assault victims, improving evidence collection for criminal cases and aligning with victim support in criminal justice process.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates healthcare providers to offer forensic exams and treatment for sexual assault survivors, improving access to critical health services and protecting patient rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Healthcare Workforce

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