Criminal Justice

died · Louisiana · House Mar 16, 2026

HCR 1: CONGRESS: Memorializes the La. congressional delegation to investigate the individuals implicated in the Epstein files and ensure they are prosecuted and held responsible through every available legal process

HCR 1 is a concurrent resolution asking Louisiana's U.S. congressional delegation to investigate and pursue prosecution of individuals named in the Epstein files, including those allegedly involved in child sex trafficking, blackmail, and bribery. It references the Epstein Files Transparency Act (2025), which mandated public disclosure of unclassified DOJ documents revealing high-profile connections to Epstein's network. The resolution requests that Louisiana's representatives ensure all implicated individuals face full legal accountability through available processes. This is a non-binding request to federal lawmakers, not a new law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequests prosecution of Epstein network for child sex trafficking, aligning with criminal justice's core function of holding offenders accountable.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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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

Sub-Topics Corrections Oil & Gas

signed · Louisiana · House May 14, 2026

HB 336: CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to post-conviction relief

HB 336 establishes new rules for inmates seeking post-conviction relief after federal habeas corpus proceedings are stayed to allow exhaustion of state remedies. It requires petitioners to submit unexhausted claims to Louisiana state district courts within 30 days, proving they had good cause for not raising the claim earlier, that the claim isn't frivolous, and they avoided delaying tactics. Applications failing to meet these requirements face automatic dismissal. The bill mandates expedited review by state courts and prioritized handling by the Louisiana Supreme Court for these claims.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts post-conviction relief by mandating strict requirements (good cause, non-frivolous claims) and automatic dismissal for non-compliance, limiting defendant rights in criminal justice process.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 231: DOMESTIC ABUSE: Adds intentional evasion of service of process for certain court orders as conduct that constitutes a violation of a protective order

HB 231 creates a new criminal offense for intentionally avoiding service of specific court orders, directly affecting individuals who evade legal notices related to protective orders, custody cases, or other civil/criminal proceedings. The bill makes it a violation to deliberately skip being served with orders issued under laws covering domestic violence (R.S. 9:361 et seq.), child custody (R.S. 28:53.2), or certain civil/criminal court processes (e.g., Code of Civil Procedure Articles 3601 or 3607.1). Key provisions define which orders trigger this crime and establish criminal penalties for intentional evasion, rather than focusing on the underlying order's content. This policy change adds a criminal consequence for avoiding court-ordered notices, targeting a specific behavior without altering the substantive requirements of the covered orders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for evading court orders, expanding criminalization without reform measures or defendant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 132: CRIME/BATTERY: Provides relative to battery (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

HB 132 clarifies that intentionally directing loud sounds (like bullhorns, air horns, or amplified speakers) at a police officer’s head or ear within three feet - under circumstances likely to cause pain or hearing injury - counts as battery. It defines "close proximity" as within three feet of an officer’s ear/head and specifies that using acoustic devices to target an officer meets this standard. The bill increases penalties for battery committed by two or more people acting together or causing injuries requiring medical care, with sentences up to 7 years in prison for the most severe cases. This law directly affects individuals who use loud devices near officers, expanding what constitutes a criminal offense under Louisiana’s battery statutes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for battery against officers using loud devices, expanding criminalization of protest tactics targeting law enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

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

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Probation & Parole

in committee · Louisiana · House May 20, 2026

HB 255: CRIMINAL/PENALTIES: Provides relative to wearing masks in public (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 255 adds a mandatory two-year prison sentence for individuals convicted of specific violent or property crimes while wearing a mask, hood, or facial disguise to conceal their identity. It directly affects people convicted of offenses like aggravated assault on police, arson, vandalism, looting, or rioting when masked during the crime. The bill targets 40 listed offenses under Louisiana law, including crimes against officers, critical infrastructure, and public safety. It does not ban mask-wearing generally but increases penalties for masked perpetrators of these specific crimes. The law applies only when the mask-wearing was intentional to hide the offender's identity during the commission of the listed offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates two-year prison sentence for masked crimes, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization, opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing Violent Crime

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signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 161: HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Provides relative to bail conditions for defendants alleged to have committed certain human trafficking offenses (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 161 modifies bail conditions for defendants accused of human trafficking (under R.S. 14:46.2) or trafficking children for sexual purposes (R.S. 14:46.3). It requires courts to impose strict conditions if the defendant poses a threat to the victim, including banning all contact with the victim, their residence, workplace, school, and any communication (including electronic). The bill also prohibits defendants from working in specific roles like transportation drivers, home service workers, childcare facilities, or door-to-door sales. These measures aim to protect victims and prevent potential reoffending during pretrial release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill imposes strict bail conditions to protect trafficking victims, banning contact and restricting defendant roles, advancing victim safety in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 58: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Imposes a mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated flight from a law enforcement officer. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 58 imposes mandatory minimum sentences for "aggravated flight" from law enforcement officers in Louisiana. It requires a minimum one-year prison term (without parole or early release) for fleeing police, increasing to two years if the flight causes serious injury. The bill also mandates that fines from these offenses must fund police pursuit training or safety technology, not general agency budgets. Additionally, it requires insurance proceeds related to such crimes to follow existing legal handling rules. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of fleeing police and changes how related fines are used by law enforcement agencies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates fines fund police training/safety tech (not general budgets), promoting fiscal responsibility through targeted revenue allocation for public safety programs.95% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory minimum sentences (1-2 years) without parole for fleeing police, increasing penalties and aligning with tough-on-crime policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Sentencing

passed · Louisiana · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 91: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Provides relative to sentencing of defendants who are survivors of domestic abuse, human trafficking, or sexual assault. (8/1/26) (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 91 allows defendants convicted of felony offenses before August 1, 2026, who are survivors of domestic abuse, human trafficking, or sexual assault to request resentencing after that date. To qualify, they must provide documentation proving their survivor status, prior conviction, and evidence linking their abuse experience to the crime. If approved, courts must reduce sentences to specific limits (e.g., life without parole reduced to 30 years, or 15+ year sentences reduced to 7.5 years), considering the abuse as a mitigating factor. The bill excludes certain offenses like sex offender registrations or violent crimes requiring specific additional proof. This applies only to those already serving sentences on or after August 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows resentencing for abuse survivors, reducing harsh sentences to align with trauma-informed justice, directly advancing criminal justice reform by addressing systemic inequities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing Victims' Rights

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