Criminal Justice

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1106: CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to the custodial interrogation of children

This bill establishes that children aged 15 and younger cannot waive their right to have an attorney present during custodial interrogations, meaning law enforcement must ensure an attorney is available before questioning these minors. It makes any statements made by children during such interrogations inadmissible in court unless their counsel was present at the time. The law also reinforces existing protections by clarifying that confessions from children must be voluntary and not obtained through coercion or improper inducements. These changes directly impact police procedures and the admissibility of evidence in cases involving minors.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens protections for minors during interrogations, enhancing due process and reducing wrongful convictions, which aligns with criminal justice reform and protecting civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement Tags Children

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signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 422: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Provides for unsupervised probation in certain circumstances for fourth offense operating while impaired. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

This bill modifies Louisiana's penalties for a fourth offense of driving while impaired by allowing courts to order unsupervised probation in certain cases. It requires offenders to complete treatment programs, drug division probation, or supervised probation after release from incarceration, with the probation period lasting until the original sentence ends or for twenty years, whichever is longer. Additionally, the bill authorizes prosecutors to request the seizure and auction of vehicles used during the offense. These changes directly affect repeat offenders charged with operating a vehicle while impaired and aim to balance rehabilitation with accountability through structured probation requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows unsupervised probation for certain OWI cases requiring treatment programs, indicating rehabilitation focus and potential recidivism reduction.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

passed · Louisiana · House May 19, 2026

HB 985: SEX OFFENSE/REGISTRY: Provides relative to identification procedures for sex offenders (EG1 +$200,000 SG EX See Note)

This bill requires sex offenders in Louisiana to carry identification documents that clearly mark them as such, including QR codes and orange "sex offender" text on both driver's licenses and special identification cards. The law mandates that these individuals renew their identification annually at a motor vehicle office, where they must verify their registration information including address and employer details before receiving a new card or license. Anyone who intentionally fails to comply with these requirements faces fines of up to $500 or up to six months in jail, and the provisions apply to all registered sex offenders regardless of when their conviction occurred.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes additional restrictions on sex offenders by requiring identification with visible markings and annual verification, limiting their privacy and mobility rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 1064: COURTS: Provides relative to a domestic violence intervention court pilot program in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

This bill establishes a two-year pilot program for a Domestic Violence Intervention Court within the Nineteenth Judicial District Court in Louisiana. The program targets defendants convicted of domestic abuse-related offenses who are assessed as at-risk of reoffending, offering them voluntary participation in a specialized court track that combines judicial supervision with treatment and accountability measures. Key provisions include mandatory batterer intervention programming using evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy, regular court appearances, compliance with individualized case plans, and access to services such as mental health screening, substance abuse referrals, and victim safety planning. The court will operate with a coordinated team including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation officers, and victim advocates, while collecting data on recidivism and program outcomes to evaluate effectiveness for potential statewide expansion.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes domestic violence intervention court pilot program focusing on rehabilitation, treatment, and accountability for defendants, reducing recidivism risk through specialized court track.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Probation & Parole

passed · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HB 1009: CRIME: Provides relative to reckless operation of a vehicle (EG SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

This bill proposes to update Louisiana's laws regarding reckless operation of a vehicle by clarifying what behaviors constitute the offense. It directly affects drivers and operators of motor vehicles, aircraft, vessels, and other conveyances by defining specific actions as reckless. The key provision expands the definition to include operating any vehicle in a criminally negligent or reckless manner, as well as driving a motor vehicle at or above 100 miles per hour. These changes aim to provide clearer legal standards for prosecutors and courts when handling cases involving dangerous vehicle operation. The bill would apply to anyone operating a vehicle in violation of these new or clarified standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands reckless driving definition to include higher speeds and criminal negligence, strengthening law enforcement tools and public safety protections.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens transportation safety by clarifying and expanding reckless operation definitions, including high-speed driving, enhancing public safety standards.85% confidence

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passed · Louisiana · House May 7, 2026

HB 981: FUNDS/FUNDING: Establishes the Law Enforcement Retention Incentive Subfund within the Law Enforcement Recruitment Incentive Fund (RE SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

This bill extends the expiration date of Louisiana's Law Enforcement Recruitment Incentive Program from July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2029. The program provides financial incentives to encourage individuals to join law enforcement agencies in the state. Under this legislation, any remaining funds in the program's dedicated account will be moved to the state's general fund once the program ends. The change affects law enforcement recruitment efforts and the state's budget management for this specific incentive fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill extends funding for law enforcement recruitment program, maintaining financial support for public safety initiatives and preserving dedicated state funds for essential services.80% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill extends funding for law enforcement recruitment incentives, strengthening law enforcement capabilities and supporting criminal justice infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Law Enforcement

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signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 907: HEALTH CARE/PROVIDERS: Provides civil and criminal immunity for the distribution or use of Naloxone and other opioid antagonists beyond their shelf-life end date

This bill protects healthcare providers and individuals from civil and criminal liability when they distribute or use Naloxone and other opioid reversal drugs even after their labeled expiration dates have passed. It allows people acting in good faith to administer these medications to someone believed to be having an opioid overdose without fear of legal consequences, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Healthcare professionals are also shielded from disciplinary action by licensing boards for actions covered under this immunity, though federally certified facilities must still follow federal rules regarding expired medications. The law defines "shelf-life end date" based on federal labeling requirements and takes effect upon the governor's signature.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces legal barriers to opioid overdose treatment, supporting public health and reducing criminal justice involvement in overdose cases75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects healthcare providers and individuals from liability when administering Naloxone, encouraging overdose response and improving patient safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 491: PAROLE: Provides for parole eligibility (OR SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

HB 491 modifies Louisiana's parole eligibility rules for individuals serving life sentences. It requires life-sentence inmates to meet eight specific conditions to qualify for parole consideration, including serving at least 25 years, having no violent or sex offense convictions, completing mandatory programming (100+ hours), substance abuse treatment if applicable, educational/job training, a low-risk assessment, and a reentry program. The bill directly affects life-sentence inmates who meet all these criteria, regardless of whether they were convicted as juveniles or adults. It does not change sentencing but sets clear, measurable requirements for parole eligibility. The bill is currently in early legislative review stages.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates rehabilitation programs and structured criteria for parole, advancing reform to reduce recidivism and improve reentry outcomes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 622: CRIMINAL/RECORDS: Provides relative to the confidentiality of criminal history records

HB 622 modifies Louisiana law to strengthen confidentiality around criminal history records used in employment background checks. It requires employers to obtain their own criminal history checks (via state and federal systems) and prohibits sharing these records with other employers or individuals without the applicant’s written consent or a court order. Employers must destroy these records one year after an employee’s termination, except when an applicant gives written permission for a health provider to share the check. The bill also ensures compliance with federal regulations like the FBI’s criminal justice information policies, without creating new penalties or changing criminal law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens privacy protections for criminal history records in employment, preventing misuse and promoting fair hiring - aligns with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRestricts employer access to criminal records without consent, strengthening worker privacy and reducing potential discrimination in hiring processes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 530: LOCAL GOVERNMENT: (Constitutional Amendment) Provides for home rule charter or plan of government provisions affecting certain parish officials and school boards

This constitutional amendment would allow parishes operating under home rule charters to authorize local ethics entities to audit or investigate school boards and specific elected officials (including district attorneys, sheriffs, assessors, clerks of court, and coroners). Currently, home rule charters cannot include such provisions for these offices. The amendment removes this restriction while clarifying that the state legislature may still enact laws related to local ethics oversight. It directly affects parishes using home rule charters in Louisiana and changes how local governments can structure oversight of key public offices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows local ethics oversight of criminal justice officials (DA, sheriffs), enhancing accountability per indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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