Criminal Justice

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 219: CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to post-conviction relief or parole when a verdict is rendered by a non-unanimous jury (OR INCREASE LF EX See Note)

HB 219 allows defendants convicted of felonies by non-unanimous juries in Louisiana to seek resentencing if they received the maximum sentence under the law. It creates a process for filing a motion by August 1, 2027, triggering a hearing where courts must review whether the original sentence was excessive. If granted, courts must impose a new sentence within 20-40 years for certain cases, with a presumption that the new sentence should not exceed the maximum for the most serious lesser included offense - unless the district attorney provides clear evidence justifying a longer sentence. The bill excludes individuals who have already completed their sentences and prohibits using the new sentence to enhance prior convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates post-conviction relief for non-unanimous jury convictions, allowing resentencing if original sentence deemed excessive, advancing criminal justice reform by addressing sentencing fairness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 167: PUBLIC SFTY/CORRECTIONS: Provides for the issuance of certain documentation to inmates before their release from incarceration (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 167 requires Louisiana's Department of Public Safety and Corrections to provide specific documentation to inmates before release from prison, primarily affecting those convicted of felony offenses. The bill mandates the department to issue a special identification card (valid for four years) to inmates without state ID, along with employment-related documents like vocational records, birth certificates, social security cards, and a resume detailing skills. It also creates a "Certificate of Employability" for inmates who completed approved rehabilitation programs, earned educational credentials, had no major disciplinary issues in the past year, and passed a skills assessment. This certificate, valid unless revoked for a new felony conviction, helps former inmates prove job readiness to employers. The law aims to improve post-release employment outcomes by streamlining access to essential identification and work documentation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides pre-release documentation to reduce recidivism and aid reentry, aligning with rehabilitation-focused reform initiatives.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides employment documentation (vocational records, ID, resume) to inmates for post-release job access, directly facilitating workforce re-entry and supporting employment opportunities.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 215: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Provides relative to the grounds for post conviction relief for inmates convicted by a non-unanimous jury. (gov sig) (EG SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 215 creates a special committee within Louisiana's Department of Public Safety to review parole applications for inmates convicted by non-unanimous juries (where the jury did not agree unanimously on the verdict). The committee, made up of retired judges, prosecutors, and public defenders appointed by the governor, will determine if such convictions caused a miscarriage of justice and decide on parole eligibility and conditions. Inmates must submit applications with court records, and the committee must meet monthly to consider cases. The bill also requires the committee to notify correctional facilities and local prosecutors of its decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates committee to review non-unanimous jury convictions for miscarriage of justice, aligning with reform by protecting defendant rights and addressing systemic flaws in sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 581: SUPPLEMENTAL PAY: (Constitutional Amendment) Provides for supplemental pay for probation and parole officers (OR +$6,264,000 GF EX See Note)

This constitutional amendment (HB 581) would allow Louisiana's legislature to provide supplemental pay to probation and parole officers employed by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. It directly affects sworn, commissioned law enforcement officers working in those specific roles within the department. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 election, and if approved, would take effect on July 1, 2027, enabling future legislative action to fund this supplemental pay. The change modifies the state constitution to explicitly permit such supplemental compensation beyond standard pay plans.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds probation/parole officers in corrections system, directly strengthening operational capacity for law enforcement personnel in criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides supplemental pay for probation/parole officers, directly increasing compensation for specific workers in labor roles per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House May 5, 2026

HB 911: PARISH/ORLEANS: Provides for the complete reform and modernization of the judicial components of Orleans Parish (EG SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 911 merges Orleans Parish's civil, criminal, and juvenile courts into a single "Forty-First Judicial District," directly affecting New Orleans residents, judges, clerks, and court staff. It abolishes 10 specific court divisions (including juvenile and civil/criminal divisions) and reduces judgeships from 31 to 22, while creating a unified clerk of court position and consolidating judicial offices. Key provisions include transferring juvenile court jurisdiction to the new district, eliminating duplicate court clerks, and extending current juvenile court judges' terms until 2027. The bill aims to streamline operations, reduce costs through economies of scale, and modernize a system described as "fragmented and inefficient" following Hurricane Katrina and financial challenges.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly mandates court system reform via consolidation and modernization, aligning with criminal justice reform goals by streamlining judicial operations and eliminating outdated divisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Tags Public Safety

Track

died · Louisiana · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 35: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Creates the crime of disturbing the peace at a place of religious worship. (8/1/26) (EG SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

SB 35 creates a new crime for disrupting religious worship by prohibiting petitioning, picketing, protesting, or assembling within 50 feet of a place of worship in ways that disrupt, threaten, intimidate, or interfere with someone exercising religious freedom. It directly affects individuals engaging in such activities near churches, synagogues, mosques, or other regularly used religious sites. Violations carry a $500 fine and up to 15 days in jail per day of the offense, with each day considered a separate violation. The bill explicitly aims to protect religious freedom as guaranteed by the U.S. and Louisiana constitutions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense with fines/jail for protests near religious sites, expanding criminalization of speech activities under criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

passed · Louisiana · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 278: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Prohibits the reinstatement of a driver's license suspended for driving under the influence without the installation of an ignition interlock device. (8/1/26)

SB 278 requires individuals in Louisiana to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle before their driver's license can be reinstated after a suspension for driving under the influence (DUI). It specifically applies to drivers suspended for DUI with a breathalyzer test result of 0.08% blood alcohol or higher, within ten years of a prior DUI arrest. The bill amends state law to make this device installation mandatory as a condition for regaining driving privileges. This policy change directly affects repeat DUI offenders seeking to return to driving after a suspension.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandatory interlock devices for DUI offenders reduce repeat offenses, aligning with recidivism reduction goals in criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates ignition interlock devices for DUI offenders to enhance road safety, directly advancing transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 828: CORRECTIONS: Provides relative to the Louisiana Correctional Medical Review Board (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 828 creates the Louisiana Correctional Medical Review Board, an independent body within the legislative auditor's office, to review every death occurring in state correctional facilities. The board, composed of nine members including medical professionals, family members of deceased inmates, and experts, must begin reviews within 72 hours of notification (required within 2 hours of death by facility staff) and issue public reports within 60 days. Key provisions include subpoena power for records and witnesses, authority to order independent autopsies at state expense, and requirements for facilities to report deaths promptly (with civil penalties for delays). This directly affects all Louisiana correctional facilities, their staff, and the immediate families of deceased inmates, who receive reports within 5 days and can submit evidence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates independent board to review prison deaths, enhancing oversight and transparency in corrections, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

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