Criminal Justice (Juvenile Justice)

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.

HB 656 establishes a pilot program to provide structured programming to specific inmates in Louisiana. It directly affects juvenile offenders and inmates held in parish jails or prisons under the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C). The program must include rehabilitation services (education/vocational training), mental health support, and suicide prevention initiatives. Programming will be delivered in-person or via video for accessibility, with DPS&C required to create implementing rules. This bill focuses on expanding access to support services within correctional facilities.

HB 684 creates a pre-arrest diversion program for Louisiana juveniles (under 18) charged with their first nonviolent misdemeanor offense. Instead of arresting them, police must offer a civil citation allowing access to mental health services, victim restitution, or family support programs within 90 days. The program prohibits fines, fees, or criminal records for participants and requires law enforcement to report annual data on juvenile stops, program completion, and recidivism. It applies only to non-dangerous situations without weapons or immediate threats. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, with implementation rules due by December 2026.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment in Louisiana that would allow the governor to recommend suspending or removing district attorneys and certain judges (district, juvenile, family, or municipal courts) for malfeasance, gross misconduct, or incompetence. If the governor recommends suspension, the Senate must approve it with a two-thirds vote; for removal, the Senate would hold a trial and require a two-thirds vote to remove the official. Removed officials would be permanently barred from holding any judicial office in Louisiana. The amendment requires voter approval in the April 2027 election and is currently pending committee review.

SB 345 requires Louisiana's Office of Juvenile Justice to submit an annual report by February 1st to the Senate Judiciary B Committee and the legislative research library. The report must detail prevention programs, diversion program development, access to education/health resources for juveniles in custody, and specific statistics on juvenile custody numbers, complaints, investigations, and lawsuits. This bill increases transparency in the juvenile justice system by mandating regular, standardized reporting on key operational metrics. It directly affects the Office of Juvenile Justice, which must now collect and submit this data annually.