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 404 establishes a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program for incarcerated individuals in Louisiana state and local correctional facilities who have substance abuse disorders. The bill requires facilities to provide FDA-approved medications (like methadone or buprenorphine), individual treatment plans, counseling, and reentry support - including Medicaid enrollment assistance, housing/employment resources, and a one-week medication supply upon release. It mandates annual reporting on program effectiveness, including recidivism and health outcomes, and prohibits denying program access based on drug screenings or past disciplinary issues. The program directly affects all incarcerated people in Louisiana facilities with substance use disorders, aiming to improve treatment continuity and reduce relapse post-release.
HB 432 requires Louisiana's Department of Public Safety and Corrections to collect and report specific data on incarcerated individuals, including their last known residential address before imprisonment, race, ethnicity, and age. This data will adjust the state's redistricting process so that incarcerated people are counted in their pre-incarceration communities - not at correctional facilities - when drawing legislative and local government districts. The Secretary of State must publish the adjusted population data within 30 days of federal redistricting data release. This ensures district boundaries reflect actual resident populations rather than prison locations, aligning with federal census practices.
SB 347 adds "unlawful deepfake" to the definition of "power-based violence" under Louisiana's Campus Accountability and Safety Act. The bill defines a "deepfake" as manipulated audio or video falsely appearing authentic to a reasonable observer, excluding political commentary, news, satire, or clearly disclosed content. This change directly affects college and university campuses in Louisiana, expanding how institutions address certain forms of harassment. The policy amendment specifically targets deepfakes used to control or intimidate others, aligning with existing campus safety definitions without creating new criminal penalties.
HB 211 creates Louisiana's "Homelessness Court Program," establishing specialized court divisions to address homelessness through treatment and support instead of incarceration. It directly affects individuals experiencing homelessness charged with misdemeanors or felonies related to public camping or survival needs, requiring courts to screen eligible defendants for the program. Key provisions include mandatory substance abuse and mental health treatment, housing/job assistance partnerships, and a new criminal penalty for "unauthorized camping on public property" (with exceptions for shelter access). The program aims to reduce recidivism, court workloads, and prison overcrowding by integrating health care, housing, and rehabilitation services under judicial supervision.
HB 333 limits where Louisiana can house inmates by requiring the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to keep them within 30 miles of either the parish where their crime occurred or their residence. This directly affects inmates committed to state correctional facilities and the department, which must now adjust housing assignments to comply. The bill amends existing law to add this geographic restriction as a new requirement, overriding previous practices that allowed broader transfers. It does not change sentencing or release policies but mandates specific location constraints for inmate placement. (Note: The bill is currently in early legislative stages as of February 2026.)
SB 259 creates a statewide online portal in Louisiana for filing civil protective orders in domestic violence cases. It allows victims to submit petitions electronically without needing to provide an "affirmation" (a sworn statement), simplifying the process. The portal will be developed by the judicial administrator's office and directly affects individuals seeking protection from domestic abuse. This change streamlines access to legal protection while maintaining the existing legal framework for protective orders.
HB 323 requires Louisiana correctional facilities to notify an inmate's immediate family within 12 hours of death (excluding overnight hours), provide a written condolence letter, and submit a detailed report within 30 days. The report must include demographics (age, race, gender), cause of death, circumstances, and investigation details, and be made publicly available online. The Louisiana Department of Health collects annual data on inmate deaths for analysis, and the Department of Public Safety must publish a facility-level public report by December 31st. Violations of these requirements carry penalties of up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.
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.
SB 344 would make it illegal to store a firearm unsecured (not in a locked container or with a tamper-resistant trigger lock) on property under a person's control if they know or should know a minor (under 18) or a prohibited person (e.g., banned due to a crime, mental health issue, or protective order) might access it. It directly affects firearm owners on their own property, such as parents or guardians. The bill includes exceptions for firearms carried on the person, unlawful entry, or supervised hunting with permission. Violations carry fines up to $500 or 6 months in jail; if injury occurs, penalties increase to up to $1,000 or 1 year in jail. The law explicitly states it does not affect constitutional rights to keep firearms under Louisiana or U.S. Constitution.
