Criminal Justice

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 144: CRIME: Creates the crime of obstruction of a legislative proceeding (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 144 creates a new criminal offense in Louisiana for obstructing legislative proceedings, directly affecting individuals who interfere with lawmakers' work. The bill defines obstruction as actions like blocking committee meetings or threatening legislators to prevent their attendance or influence their decisions in legislative sessions. Penalties include up to six months in prison for basic obstruction, or one to three years if medical care is required due to the act. It broadly defines "legislative proceeding" to cover committee meetings, joint sessions, and other official legislative activities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for obstructing legislative proceedings, expanding criminalization. Aligns with 'oppose' indicator of expanding criminalization.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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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

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 119: CRIME: Provides relative to unlawful conduct involving images of another person created by artificial intelligence (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 119 makes it a crime to unlawfully share, sell, or possess AI-generated images of another person that show nudity or intimate body parts without authorization, with intent to coerce, harass, or intimidate. It directly affects anyone creating or distributing such AI images without permission, especially targeting cases involving minors (under 17), which carry harsher penalties. The law imposes penalties of up to one year in prison for general violations and up to five years (with at least one year mandatory) if the victim is a minor. It also adds new provisions to existing laws about "sexting" involving AI-generated intimate images. The bill creates specific criminal penalties for these actions without addressing broader policy impacts.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for AI image sharing with penalties, expanding criminalization rather than advancing reform or protecting rights.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStrengthens data privacy by criminalizing unauthorized sharing of AI-generated intimate images, protecting digital rights and preventing harm, especially to minors.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Artificial Intelligence

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

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 306: RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS/LIBERTIES: Creates the crime of obstruction of the freedom of worship in a church or other place of worship. (gov sig)

SB 306 creates a new criminal offense in Louisiana for obstructing freedom of worship at churches or other places of worship. It prohibits specific actions including using force to intimidate attendees, damaging church property, blocking lawful access to the building, or engaging in disruptive activities during scheduled worship services. Violations carry fines up to $25,000 and imprisonment up to 18 months for repeat offenses, with enhanced penalties if bodily injury occurs. The law directly affects individuals who interfere with religious gatherings on private religious property, aiming to protect the orderly conduct of worship as defined by the bill.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offense for obstructing worship, expanding criminalization per indicators.90% confidence

passed · Louisiana · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 313: CLERKS OF COURT: Prohibits clerks of court's vendors from charging additional electronic filing fees in criminal and traffic actions. (8/1/26)

SB 313 prohibits Louisiana county clerks of court from charging additional fees for electronic filings in criminal cases, including related service fees. This directly affects criminal defendants, their attorneys, and court staff who use electronic filing systems for criminal matters. The bill amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to ensure no extra charges are assessed beyond standard filing costs for electronic submissions in criminal cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves financial barriers for electronic filings in criminal cases, improving access to court processes and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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signed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 152: CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: Adds certain substances to the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 152 adds 13 specific synthetic opioids, including various fentanyl analogs like N-Pyrrolidino metonitazene and Beta-Methylacetyl fentanyl, to Louisiana's Schedule I controlled substances list. This means these substances are now classified as illegal without a prescription, making possession or distribution a criminal offense under state law. The bill directly affects individuals who use or distribute these drugs, as they will face the same legal penalties as other Schedule I substances. The change updates Louisiana's controlled substances law to address emerging synthetic drugs identified through chemical names.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds synthetic opioids to Schedule I, expanding criminalization of possession/distribution without reform measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 68: CRIME: Provides relative to conduct that constitutes disturbing the peace (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 68 adds a specific offense to Louisiana's disturbing the peace law, prohibiting the interruption of worship services or religious ceremonies at churches or other places of worship. The bill defines this conduct as disturbing the peace, with penalties including fines up to $500, imprisonment up to six months, or both, and requires at least 15 days of the sentence to be served without probation. This law directly affects individuals who disrupt religious gatherings, making such interruptions a criminal offense. The bill does not change existing penalties for other disturbing the peace violations but specifically targets disruptions at religious sites.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds new criminal offense for disrupting religious services with mandatory penalties, expanding criminalization and increasing sentences beyond standard disturbing the peace.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 46: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Creates the crime of unlawful operation of a group home. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 46 creates a new criminal offense for operating an unlicensed group home in Louisiana. It directly affects individuals or entities managing homes that house two or more non-related people needing daily living assistance, without proper state or local licensing. The bill defines key terms (like "operator" and "unlicensed group home") and sets tiered penalties: fines up to $1,000 or 6 months in jail for basic violations; up to $10,000 or 10 years in prison (with 1 year mandatory) for conditions causing harm; and 5-40 years in prison (with 3 years mandatory) if conditions contribute to a resident's death. These penalties are triggered by specific evidence of control, such as power of attorney over residents' assets or handling their government benefits.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense with mandatory prison time, expanding criminalization of unlicensed group home operations without reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 264: DWI: Provides relative to operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OR NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 264, "Jada's Law," requires police or jail staff to confirm a person arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) is medically sober and has a blood alcohol level at or below the legal limit before releasing them from custody. It mandates securing the arrestee's vehicle (e.g., towing or holding keys) until release and requires notifying rental car companies if the vehicle is rented. The law applies directly to individuals arrested for DWI, law enforcement agencies, and rental dealers. It adds specific procedures for safe release, including requiring a sober licensed driver, rideshare, or public transit for transportation, but does not affect bail eligibility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires sobriety confirmation before DWI release, reducing immediate recidivism risk and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates sobriety checks for DWI arrests to enhance road safety, directly aligning with transportation safety standards in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Policing Public Transit

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