HB 351 repeals two specific provisions related to Louisiana's reentry preparation program for formerly incarcerated individuals. It removes a requirement (R.S. 15:827.1(E)) about reentry programs and eliminates an entrepreneurial educational curriculum component within that program. This bill directly affects inmates participating in Louisiana's reentry programs by removing these specific policy requirements from state law. The change is procedural, with no new requirements or funding added.
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.
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.
HB 169 adds a new condition for both probation and parole in Louisiana: individuals must waive extradition to Louisiana from any U.S. or international jurisdiction and agree not to contest being returned. This applies to anyone on probation or parole who leaves Louisiana, requiring them to pay the full cost of extradition (based on their ability to pay) if returned from outside the state. The bill amends Louisiana law to include this requirement as a standard condition during probation or parole placement. It directly affects individuals under probation or parole supervision who travel outside Louisiana, imposing a financial obligation for their return. The law aims to streamline the return process for offenders who leave the state.
SB 86 would require mandatory minimum sentences for individuals who help or support others committing specific sex offenses against minors. It specifically targets people who aid or abet crimes like molestation of juveniles (under R.S. 14:81.2) or aggravated crime against nature (under R.S. 14:89.1), imposing half the mandatory sentence for the principal offender on these abettors. The bill directly affects those who assist in these offenses, not just the primary perpetrators. Currently pending before Louisiana's Judiciary Committee, it aims to strengthen penalties for secondary involvement in crimes against children.
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.
SB 97 is a proposed constitutional amendment to Louisiana's Constitution that would require prosecutors' written consent before a defendant can waive their right to a jury trial in non-capital criminal cases. Currently, defendants can waive jury trials without prosecutor approval (except in capital cases), but this amendment would mandate written consent from the prosecutor, which must be obtained at least 45 days before trial and would be irrevocable. It directly affects defendants facing non-capital criminal charges (those not punishable by death or requiring hard labor confinement) and prosecutors who would need to approve such waivers. The amendment, if approved by voters, would change the constitutional provision governing jury trials in criminal cases.
HB 883 defines illegal online gambling as any internet-based game where players risk money for potential winnings, including sites using dual-currency systems. It targets operators, payment processors, and platform providers (like websites hosting gambling content), requiring them to block transactions with sites listed by the attorney general. Violations can result in fines up to $210,000 for operators or $20,000 for facilitators, plus up to five years in prison, with doubled penalties if minors are involved. The bill also mandates forfeiture of profits from illegal gambling activities.
HB 100 creates a new felony offense for speeding in Louisiana, defined as operating a vehicle more than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. This law directly affects drivers who exceed speed limits by this margin, making it a criminal offense punishable by fines of at least $1,000, imprisonment for a minimum of six months, or both. The bill establishes mandatory minimum penalties for this specific speeding behavior, distinguishing it from standard speeding violations. It applies statewide to all motor vehicle operators who commit this offense.
HB 586 creates a new crime in Louisiana for adults who fail to secure a loaded firearm where a minor under 15 could access it, leading to the minor discharging the firearm (causing injury/death) or threatening behavior in public places/schools. It imposes penalties of up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. Key exceptions include minors accessing firearms for hunting, lawful self-defense, or if the firearm was unlawfully taken. The law defines "secure" as using a lock or trigger device and specifies "readily dischargeable" means a loaded firearm.
