Criminal Justice (Corrections)

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 156: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Increases the maximum period of imprisonment for negligent homicide. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 156 increases the maximum prison sentence for negligent homicide from 10 to 15 years in certain cases. It specifically raises the maximum to 15 years for killing a child under 10, and to 40 years for offenders over 17 who cause the death of someone under 17 through intentional or negligent mistreatment. The bill also requires courts to explain in writing why they don't sentence offenders to prison when alcohol contributed to a vehicle-related death. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of negligent homicide, particularly in cases involving minors or alcohol-related incidents.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases maximum prison terms for negligent homicide, including longer sentences for child-related deaths and alcohol-related vehicular deaths, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 186: CRIME/THEFT: Creates the crime of theft of funds from the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 186 creates a new criminal offense for stealing funds from Louisiana's LA GATOR Scholarship Program, directly affecting administrators or officials who handle these scholarship funds. It sets tiered penalties based on the amount stolen: up to 20 years in prison for $25,000+ theft, up to 10 years for $5,000-$25,000, and lesser terms for smaller amounts. The bill also requires offenders to pay full restitution to victims of the theft. This law specifically targets misuse of scholarship funds, not general theft.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense with tiered prison terms for scholarship fund theft, expanding criminalization in sentencing without reform context.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects scholarship funds from theft, ensuring integrity of educational funding mechanisms and safeguarding student access to financial aid.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights Student Financial Aid

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 160: DOMESTIC ABUSE: Increases the penalties for certain domestic violence offenses that involve strangulation (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

HB 160 increases penalties for domestic violence offenses involving strangulation in Louisiana. It specifically targets offenders convicted under two existing statutes: battery of a dating partner (R.S. 14:34.9) and domestic abuse battery (R.S. 14:35.3). The bill adds a mandatory prison term of 3 to 10 years at hard labor in addition to any other penalties when strangulation is involved in these offenses. This change directly affects individuals convicted of domestic violence crimes where strangulation occurred, without creating new offenses or altering the definition of domestic violence.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory prison terms (3-10 years) for domestic violence strangulation, aligning with 'oppose' indicator of harsher sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence

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

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signed · Louisiana · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 51: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Creates the crime of fraudulent representation of military service or awards. (8/1/26)

SB 51 creates a new criminal offense for falsely claiming military service or awards to gain benefits. It directly affects individuals who lie about receiving military honors (like medals or service records) to obtain economic advantages, veteran benefits, or privileges. The bill establishes tiered penalties: up to $1,000 or 6 months in jail for basic false claims, up to $5,000 or 1 year for falsely claiming major awards (e.g., Medal of Honor), and up to $10,000, 5 years in prison, or restitution for fraud that secures benefits reserved for veterans or their families. Definitions clarify that "award" includes medals, ribbons, and official service records maintained by military or state forces.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense with tiered penalties, expanding criminalization of false military service claims rather than reforming justice system.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill prevents fraud in veteran benefits, protecting legitimate recipients and system integrity by penalizing false claims of military service.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights Memorials & Recognition

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 158: PROBATION: Provides relative to technical violations of probation (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 158 modifies Louisiana's probation rules to address "technical violations" (like missing check-ins or failing drug tests) for certain defendants. It allows judges to impose up to 180 days in jail without reducing the overall probation sentence for individuals on probation for non-violent offenses (excluding crimes of violence or sex offenses). This applies only to violations not involving new criminal conduct, not to serious breaches. The bill does not change sentencing for new crimes but adds a specific penalty for administrative probation breaches. The measure is currently pending in committee review.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAllows 180-day jail for technical probation violations without reducing probation, increasing punitive measures for minor breaches - opposes reform efforts to reduce unnecessary incarceration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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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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 · 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 Mar 9, 2026

HB 333: CORRECTIONS/PRISONERS: Provides relative to the housing of inmates committed to the custody of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (OR NO IMPACT See Note)

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.)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts inmate housing locations within 30 miles, overriding prior transfer practices, limiting department flexibility.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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