Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 320: LAW ENFORCEMENT: Provides relative to DNA detection of sexual and violent offenses. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE See Note)

SB 320 requires Louisiana law enforcement agencies to track and resolve DNA matches from unsolved sexual assault and violent crime cases within 90 days of notification. It creates a central statewide system managed by the state police to monitor "outstanding" DNA matches (cases where agencies haven't acted on the lead within 90 days) and mandates all relevant agencies - including police departments, district attorneys, and crime labs - to report data to this system by January 2027. The law also requires annual public reports detailing statewide and regional statistics on outstanding matches and resolutions. This directly affects law enforcement agencies handling criminal investigations involving DNA evidence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates timely resolution of DNA leads in sexual assault/violent crime cases, creating a statewide tracking system to advance case resolution and improve criminal justice outcomes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Violent Crime

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 274: HIGHER EDUCATION: Provides relative to initial eligibility requirements for the M.J. Foster Promise Program (OR INCREASE SD EX See Note)

HB 274 amends Louisiana's M.J. Foster Promise Program eligibility rules to allow students with certain criminal convictions to qualify for financial aid. It removes disqualification for 12 specific non-violent offenses (like second-degree battery, simple robbery, and aggravated arson) that were previously listed as disqualifying crimes. Previously, any conviction for a "crime of violence" barred applicants, but this bill creates exceptions for these 12 offenses under R.S. 13:5401(B)(1)(f). The change directly affects students enrolled in two-year public colleges or qualifying programs who were previously ineligible due to these specific convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves disqualification for 12 non-violent offenses from financial aid eligibility, promoting rehabilitation access and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves barriers to higher education financial aid by allowing students with certain non-violent convictions to qualify, expanding educational access under the M.J. Foster Promise Program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · Louisiana · House May 19, 2026

HB 517: JUVENILE PROCEDURE: Provides for the right to a jury trial for certain juvenile offenders

HB 517 would change Louisiana juvenile court procedures by granting juveniles the right to a jury trial if charged with specific serious offenses. It directly affects minors facing felony-level delinquency charges classified as either "crimes of violence" (per R.S. 14:2(B)) or "sex offenses" (per R.S. 15:541) in juvenile court. The bill modifies existing law to extend this constitutional right - previously unavailable in juvenile proceedings - to these particular cases, while maintaining jury trials as optional for other juvenile matters. The legislation aims to align juvenile court processes with constitutional protections for defendants facing the most severe charges.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends constitutional jury trial rights to juveniles facing serious offenses, strengthening defendant protections in juvenile justice proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 371: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Creates a public registry for repeat domestic violence offenders. (8/1/26) (EG INCREASE SG EX See Note)

SB 371 creates a public registry for Louisiana residents with two or more convictions for specific domestic violence offenses (like aggravated battery, stalking, or rape) when the victim was a household member, family member, or dating partner. Offenders must register in person with their parish sheriff and notify law enforcement within 14 days of release or probation, incurring a $150 fee to cover registry costs. The registry excludes individuals already required to register as sex offenders or child predators under other laws. It applies to second or subsequent convictions occurring on or after August 1, 2027, for offenses listed in the bill, including equivalent out-of-state crimes. The law aims to enhance public safety by tracking repeat offenders through mandatory registration and notification.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates public registry for repeat domestic violence offenders to enhance public safety and prevent recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 741: HOUSING: Provides relative to housing for victims of human trafficking

HB 741 requires Louisiana local housing authorities to give priority for housing vouchers to human trafficking survivors. It mandates verification of survivor status through healthcare professionals, law enforcement reports, protective orders, or other official sources. The bill also prohibits public disclosure of addresses linked to these vouchers to protect survivors' privacy. This policy directly affects trafficking survivors seeking stable housing and housing authorities administering voucher programs. The law aims to provide immediate housing support while safeguarding survivors' safety through confidential address handling.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides housing priority for trafficking survivors with privacy protections, directly supporting victim reintegration and safety within criminal justice reform frameworks.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrioritizes housing vouchers for trafficking survivors, advancing affordable housing access and protecting privacy for vulnerable tenants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Homelessness Tenant Rights

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 373: SHERIFFS: Provides relative to state inmates housed in a parish jail or institution and establishes criteria for additional per diem funding. (gov sig)

SB 373 requires Louisiana's Department of Public Safety and Corrections to pay parish sheriffs or jail operators a daily fee (currently $25.39) for housing state inmates in local jails when state facilities are unavailable or court orders delay transfer. It also establishes a new Transitional Workforce and Vocational Training Pilot Program within the department, providing job training in high-demand trades to inmates held in parish custody. The bill sets criteria for future funding increases tied to jail safety, sanitation, facility upgrades, and reporting requirements. This directly affects parish sheriffs (who receive payments) and inmates held in local jails instead of state facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state funding for inmate housing per diem and establishes criteria for new program funding, directly allocating budget resources to public safety services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes vocational training for inmates in parish custody, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes vocational training for inmates in parish custody, directly advancing workforce development and employment standards through job training in high-demand trades.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Workforce Development

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 321: HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Provides relative to victims of human trafficking and prostitution offenses (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 321 creates legal protections for victims of human trafficking who committed prostitution-related offenses. It establishes an affirmative defense allowing victims (both minors and adults) to avoid prosecution for crimes like prostitution (R.S. 14:82) or solicitation (R.S. 14:83) if those acts resulted directly from trafficking. The bill also presumes children engaged in prostitution are trafficking victims, exempting them from prosecution and requiring referral to specialized services for sexually exploited children. Adults determined to be trafficking victims must be notified about available support services, while children automatically qualify for existing victim assistance programs under Louisiana law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates legal protections for trafficking victims, removing prosecution for prostitution offenses resulting from trafficking, reducing criminalization of victims.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 884: CRIMINAL/VICTIMS: Provides relative to survivors of sexually-oriented criminal offenses

HB 884 creates a Louisiana Sexual Assault Oversight Commission within the Department of Justice, requiring it to include a member with expertise in forensic medical exams for sexual assault victims. The bill mandates the Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory to report by March 1, 2015, on untested sexual assault kits and agencies failing to submit required reports, while defining key terms like "forensic medical examination." It also requires all licensed hospitals and healthcare providers to inform sexual assault survivors about treatment options and follow specific care procedures. This bill directly affects sexual assault survivors, healthcare providers, and criminal justice agencies by improving oversight, reporting transparency, and access to care for victims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Sexual Assault Oversight Commission, mandates untested kit reporting, and requires healthcare compliance to improve victim support and system accountability in criminal justice.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires healthcare providers to conduct forensic medical exams for sexual assault victims, ensuring medical care access and protecting patient rights in victim treatment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Victims' Rights Violent Crime

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 305: CRIME/SEX OFFENSES: Provides relative to child sexual abuse materials (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 305 requires law enforcement agencies to share seized child sexual abuse materials with Louisiana's Attorney General's Internet Crimes division. This division must then forward the materials and related case information to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's Child Victim Identification Program. The bill mandates that law enforcement submit specific victim details (including biographical information) to the Attorney General's Exploited Children's Identification database when victims are identified and reside in Louisiana. These requirements apply to all cases involving identified victims of child sexual abuse materials, with no legal consequences for non-compliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates law enforcement sharing child exploitation evidence with specialized units to enhance victim protection and investigative efficiency in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 394: PARDON/PAROLE: Provides relative to conditional parole (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 394 proposes changes to Louisiana's parole process for inmates requiring rehabilitative programs before release. It creates "conditional parole" allowing prisoners to be released pending completion of specific reentry programs - such as regional reentry initiatives or workforce development programs at Louisiana State Penitentiary or the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women - within a 24-month window. If approved, prisoners must complete the program and then appear before the parole board for a final release decision. The bill directly affects inmates in Louisiana state prisons who need such programs to ensure public safety and successful reintegration. The bill is currently pending in the Legislature's Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice (prefiled February 2026).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates conditional parole requiring completion of reentry programs, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole