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

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 402: CRIMINAL/HABIT OFFENDERS: Provides relative to the Habitual Offender Law

HB 402 modifies Louisiana's Habitual Offender Law to change sentencing for individuals convicted of three felonies classified as "crimes of violence" under state law, but without actual physical violence occurring during the offenses. It sets a new sentencing range: a fixed prison term of at least half the longest possible sentence for the third offense, but no more than twice the sentence for a first-time felony conviction. This applies to people already serving sentences for such offenses prior to June 15, 2001, meaning their sentences could be adjusted under this law. The bill specifically targets third felony convictions where the crimes meet the legal definition of "crime of violence" without involving actual physical force against people or property.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeModifies sentencing to reduce mandatory terms for non-violent habitual offenders, aligning with reform efforts to lower recidivism and avoid excessive penalties under habitual offender laws.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 792: CORRECTIONS/PRISONERS: Provides relative to the creation of screening procedures for the purpose of testing inmates for certain infectious diseases

HB 792 requires Louisiana state correctional facilities to implement standardized screening for HIV and hepatitis C virus at inmate intake or within 72 hours of incarceration. It mandates that inmates may decline screening without penalty, and all results remain confidential for medical purposes only. Parish jails may participate in the program but must receive legislative funding for reimbursement of screening costs, with the state covering treatment expenses through existing state or federal programs. The bill also establishes annual reporting requirements for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to track screening rates, positive cases, treatment access, and fiscal impacts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates HIV/hepatitis C screening in prisons with confidentiality and state-funded treatment, advancing inmate health care within corrections reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates HIV/hepatitis C screening in correctional facilities with state-covered treatment, advancing public health through early detection and care for infectious diseases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 374: CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to bail hearings and conditions for certain persons

HB 374 modifies Louisiana's bail procedures for defendants charged with specific offenses involving minor victims. It requires law enforcement to notify prosecutors within 24 hours of arresting someone for a felony sex offense or violent crime against a child under 18. The bill mandates special hearings within 5 days for repeat sex offenders and within 72 hours for new charges involving minor victims, and prohibits bail release until a Uniform Abuse Prevention Order is filed - unless the court finds it unnecessary. This directly affects defendants in these cases, prosecutors, and courts handling bail decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTightens bail procedures for sex offenders against minors, requiring faster hearings and restricting release to protect victims, aligning with victim safety and court oversight priorities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 168: CORRECTIONS: Creates a transitional reentry program for female parolees (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 168 establishes a structured transitional reentry program in Louisiana for female parolees, administered by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. It directly affects women who have served at least five years in prison, have no sex offense convictions, are within six months of release, have no recent disciplinary issues, and voluntarily agree to participate. The program aims to support their safe community reintegration through tailored preparation, requiring parole eligibility and adherence to department-established screening. This policy creates a formal pathway for eligible female parolees to access reentry services before release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates structured reentry program for eligible female parolees to reduce recidivism through tailored community integration support, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 42: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Prohibits using artificial intelligence to create child sexual abuse materials. (8/1/26)

SB 42 amends Louisiana law to explicitly prohibit using artificial intelligence to create child sexual abuse materials, directly affecting individuals or entities generating such content through AI. The bill updates definitions to include "digitally generated, including by artificial intelligence" under "child sexual abuse materials" and expands "produce" to cover causing AI-generated content. It makes it illegal to create, distribute, or solicit child sexual abuse materials using AI tools, aligning with existing prohibitions on physical or non-AI generated materials. The law applies to all such content involving children under 17, treating AI-generated depictions as equally prohibited as traditional media. This is a substantive policy change adding AI to existing legal frameworks without altering enforcement mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly prohibits AI-generated child sexual abuse materials, strengthening legal enforcement against a serious crime and updating definitions to address new threats in criminal justice.95% confidence

Tags Artificial Intelligence

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 361: VOTING/REGISTRATION: Provides for the reinstatement of the voter registration of a person who is no longer under an order of imprisonment (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 361 allows individuals with suspended voter registration due to felony convictions to regain voting rights once they are no longer under an imprisonment order or have not been incarcerated for five years. It requires applicants to submit documentation from correctional officials proving their release status or 5-year non-incarceration period, excluding those convicted of election fraud. The bill streamlines the process by enabling applications via mail, fax, or electronic submission and clarifies the secretary of state's role in developing the application form. This directly affects formerly incarcerated Louisianans who have completed their sentences or parole terms related to non-election offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals post-release or after 5 years, promoting reintegration and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Probation & Parole

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 140: JUVENILE PROCEDURE: Provides relative to the time limitations governing juvenile delinquency proceedings (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

HB 140 modifies Louisiana's juvenile delinquency court timelines to ensure timely proceedings. It sets strict deadlines: if a juvenile is held in custody for a violent crime, the court must hold the hearing within 60 days; for non-violent crimes, it’s 30 days; and if not in custody, the hearing must occur within 90 days. The bill adds provisions interrupting these timelines (e.g., if a juvenile flees or is deemed mentally unfit) and suspending them during pretrial motions, requiring courts to restart the clock once interruptions end. If deadlines pass without justification, the case must be dismissed upon a juvenile’s written motion. This directly affects juveniles in delinquency cases, courts, prosecutors, and defense attorneys by streamlining procedural timelines.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSets strict court timelines for juvenile cases to prevent delays, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of timely proceedings and fair treatment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Violent Crime