SB 110 makes it illegal to use an image of a child under 17 to train artificial intelligence models with the intent of generating child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). The bill directly affects AI developers and companies working with training data involving children's images. Key provisions add new language to Louisiana law defining the offense (Section A(3)) and expanding the definition of "child sexual abuse materials" to include AI-generated images of children (Section B(3)). This law specifically prohibits using real or AI-created child images for AI training that could produce CSAM, without requiring the depicted child to be a real person.
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.
SB 94 changes Louisiana's bail rules for defendants charged with specific domestic violence, stalking, sex offenses, or human trafficking cases. If a court determines a defendant poses a threat to a victim, it must require no contact with the victim’s home, school, workplace, or any communication (including electronic). For human trafficking cases, the bill also restricts certain employment (like ride-sharing, childcare, or door-to-door sales) as a bail condition. The law applies directly to defendants facing these offenses and aims to prioritize victim safety through concrete bail restrictions.
HB 480 amends Louisiana law to clarify eligibility for reentry courts and workforce development sentencing programs. It removes a prior restriction on defendants with sex offense convictions (defined under R.S. 15:541) and specifies that participation is barred only for crimes of violence (with 15 listed exceptions, including aggravated assault, robbery, and battery of police officers). The bill also repeals outdated provisions and requires district attorneys to consent to participation for eligible violent crime cases. This directly affects criminal defendants facing charges who may qualify for reentry court programs instead of standard sentencing.
HB 532 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts (12 jurors all agreeing) for noncapital felony cases committed before January 1, 2019, replacing the current standard that allowed 10 of 12 jurors to agree. This change would only apply to offenses committed prior to 2019, not future cases, and requires voter approval in the November 2026 election. The amendment must be approved by Louisiana voters to take effect.
HB 317 prohibits Louisiana schools from assigning prekindergarten or kindergarten students to alternative schools for any disciplinary reason except when a student is suspended or expelled for serious misconduct involving drugs, weapons, assault, or battery. This directly affects young children in early education, preventing their placement in alternative schools for minor behavioral issues like disruptions or minor conflicts. The bill changes existing discipline practices by restricting alternative school assignments for these grades to only the most severe infractions defined in state law. It aims to limit early exclusion of very young students from mainstream learning environments.
HB 298 expands Louisiana's definition of third-degree rape to include non-consensual sexual acts committed when a victim is confined in a correctional facility (such as a jail, prison, or detention center). This specifically affects victims held in such facilities by making their exploitation a distinct criminal offense under third-degree rape. The bill adds a new provision (Section A(5)) to the law, clarifying that confinement in a correctional facility is one circumstance where rape is deemed non-consensual. It also defines "correctional facility" broadly and states that "simple rape" and "third-degree rape" are now synonymous under this law.
HB 82 amends penalties for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) offenses by changing a specific penalty duration from "twelve months" to "twelve years." This change directly affects individuals convicted of DWI offenses, significantly increasing the potential jail time for certain violations. The bill modifies an existing penalty provision within the DWI statute, focusing on the length of incarceration rather than introducing new categories or requirements. As a substantive policy change, it represents a major adjustment to sentencing for DWI convictions in the jurisdiction.
SB 93 establishes minimum bail amounts for two specific offenses under Louisiana law: $50,000 for possession of child sexual abuse materials (R.S. 14:81.1) and $100,000 for production of such materials. This bill directly affects defendants charged with these offenses and Louisiana district courts, which must set bail at or above these minimums. The key provision requires courts using a bail schedule to enforce these fixed minimums, though judges may adjust bail higher for "good cause" under limited circumstances, such as rearrest on new charges.
HB 270 allows qualified incarcerated individuals in Louisiana to vote by mail absentee ballot. It amends voting law to specifically permit people held in any Louisiana correctional facility (or outside their parish) to request mail-in ballots after registering, removing a prior barrier. This directly affects incarcerated voters who meet eligibility requirements (like not being convicted of a felony disenfranchisement offense) but were previously unable to vote by mail under existing rules. The key provision adds an exception to registration rules, enabling them to formally request absentee ballots via mail under new Section R.S. 18:115(F)(2)(f). The bill does not change voting eligibility but provides a voting method for those already qualified.
