Criminal Justice (Courts)

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 552: DWI: Provides relative to driving while intoxicated (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 552 amends Louisiana's DWI laws to explicitly include "impaired" driving alongside "intoxicated" driving, expanding the scope of the offense to cover impairment from alcohol or drugs. It clarifies that city and municipal courts can handle first and second DWI offenses (with penalties matching state law), but third or subsequent offenses must be tried in district court with a jury. The bill also requires courts to assess additional costs when alcohol was a factor in any offense, and makes intoxilyzer test results automatically admissible as evidence in DWI cases. These changes directly affect drivers facing DWI charges, local courts handling such cases, and prosecutors presenting evidence.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding 'impaired' driving to DWI offenses, broadening prosecution scope beyond intoxication alone.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

signed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 131: CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to post-conviction relief

HB 131 modifies Louisiana's post-conviction relief process by adding two new restrictions on appeals. It denies relief if a petitioner knew about a claim but failed to raise it during trial (Article 930.4(B)) or raised it in trial but didn’t pursue it on appeal (Article 930.4(C)). The bill also changes custody rules: if relief is granted, the person cannot be released on bail until Louisiana’s Supreme Court finishes reviewing the case (Article 930.5(C)). This directly affects individuals convicted of crimes seeking to overturn their convictions through post-conviction appeals. The law aims to reduce repetitive or incomplete appeals while clarifying custody procedures during appeals.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts post-conviction appeals by denying relief for procedural failures, limiting defendant rights and opposing reform efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 784: SEX OFFENSE/REGISTRY: Provides relative to sex offender registration and notification requirements

HB 784 updates Louisiana's sex offender registration laws by expanding the definition of "sex offense" to include specific crimes like human trafficking (R.S. 14:46.2), certain deepfake violations (R.S. 14:73.13), and offenses against minors such as child pornography (R.S. 14:81.1) and molestation (R.S. 14:81.2). It requires individuals convicted of these offenses to register with law enforcement within three business days of establishing Louisiana residency. The bill also clarifies registration requirements for offenders convicted under other jurisdictions' laws and updates court notification forms. This affects anyone convicted of the specified offenses who must comply with Louisiana's registration system.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands sex offense definitions and tightens registration deadlines, increasing criminalization and restrictions on offenders.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

signed · Louisiana · House May 14, 2026

HB 336: CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to post-conviction relief

HB 336 establishes new rules for inmates seeking post-conviction relief after federal habeas corpus proceedings are stayed to allow exhaustion of state remedies. It requires petitioners to submit unexhausted claims to Louisiana state district courts within 30 days, proving they had good cause for not raising the claim earlier, that the claim isn't frivolous, and they avoided delaying tactics. Applications failing to meet these requirements face automatic dismissal. The bill mandates expedited review by state courts and prioritized handling by the Louisiana Supreme Court for these claims.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts post-conviction relief by mandating strict requirements (good cause, non-frivolous claims) and automatic dismissal for non-compliance, limiting defendant rights in criminal justice process.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 231: DOMESTIC ABUSE: Adds intentional evasion of service of process for certain court orders as conduct that constitutes a violation of a protective order

HB 231 creates a new criminal offense for intentionally avoiding service of specific court orders, directly affecting individuals who evade legal notices related to protective orders, custody cases, or other civil/criminal proceedings. The bill makes it a violation to deliberately skip being served with orders issued under laws covering domestic violence (R.S. 9:361 et seq.), child custody (R.S. 28:53.2), or certain civil/criminal court processes (e.g., Code of Civil Procedure Articles 3601 or 3607.1). Key provisions define which orders trigger this crime and establish criminal penalties for intentional evasion, rather than focusing on the underlying order's content. This policy change adds a criminal consequence for avoiding court-ordered notices, targeting a specific behavior without altering the substantive requirements of the covered orders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for evading court orders, expanding criminalization without reform measures or defendant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 106: PUBLIC RECORDS: Provides that certain photographs, audio or video recordings, digital images regarding a crime scene or used in a criminal prosecution are not public records available for release or to be copied except by clerk of court or a court order. (8/1/26)

SB 106 makes certain crime scene photographs, videos (including body camera footage), audio recordings, and digital images confidential under Louisiana law. It directly affects law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, coroners, and other public bodies that collect or maintain such evidence used in criminal cases. The bill prohibits these materials from being released as public records, except when a court specifically orders disclosure. This change applies to all media depicting crime scenes, evidence, or victims' bodies that may be used in criminal proceedings, regardless of who created or holds the material. The law ensures these sensitive materials remain confidential without a judicial order.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts public access to crime scene evidence, weakening law enforcement oversight and transparency in criminal cases.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts public access to digital crime scene evidence, enhancing data privacy protections for sensitive digital records.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing Tags Government Transparency

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 133: CRIME/BATTERY: Provides relative to certain battery offenses against school employees (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

This Louisiana bill creates a specific offense for battery against school teachers, defined as battery committed when the perpetrator knows the victim is a teacher or targets them due to their job. It sets harsher penalties for non-student offenders (up to 5 years in jail or $5,000 fine) versus students (up to 1.5 years jail with 72 hours mandatory for minor cases, or up to 1 year for injuries requiring medical care). Juvenile offenders under 17 are handled under the Children's Code, requiring court-approved counseling (costs borne by the family) and secure detention for teens 14+ who commit this crime. The law applies to all school teachers during work duties and modifies juvenile court procedures for such offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates specific offense with harsher penalties for battery against teachers, expanding criminalization and increasing sentences beyond standard battery charges.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects teachers from assault with enhanced penalties, directly supporting educator safety in schools per bill's explicit focus on teacher-targeted battery offenses.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases penalties for battery against teachers (workplace safety), protecting workers from assault in professional environment per job targeting.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Juvenile Justice School Safety Teachers

passed · Louisiana · House May 7, 2026

HB 276: BAIL: Authorizes a court to conduct a contradictory bail hearing prior to setting bail for a person in custody who is charged with certain sexually based offenses against a child under the age of eighteen

HB 276 establishes a statewide minimum bail amount of $50,000 for individuals arrested in Louisiana for specific sexual offenses against minors under 18 years old. It directly affects defendants charged with offenses like rape (first, second, or third degree), sexual battery, child sexual abuse materials, or molestation of a juvenile. The bill mandates that district courts set this minimum bail amount for listed offenses, though courts may set higher amounts based on factors in Article 316. This policy change standardizes initial bail requirements for these serious crimes, aiming to ensure defendants remain in custody pending trial.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates $50k minimum bail for child sexual offenses, restricting defendant release options and increasing pretrial detention without reform focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 258: JUVENILES: Provides relative to juvenile traffic violations. (2/3 - CA5s19) (8/1/26)

SB 258 changes Louisiana law to require that 17-year-olds and older be prosecuted in district court for traffic offenses, rather than juvenile court. It amends the Children's Code by redefining "delinquent act" to include traffic violations for individuals under 17, meaning traffic offenses committed by 17- to 20-year-olds will now be treated as criminal matters in adult court. The bill directly affects teens aged 17-20 who commit traffic violations, shifting their cases from juvenile proceedings to standard criminal prosecution. This change removes the previous exclusion of traffic violations from juvenile court jurisdiction for this age group. The bill is currently prefiled and awaiting committee referral.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeShifts traffic offenses for 17-20yo from juvenile to adult court, expanding criminalization of minor offenses per bill's explicit jurisdiction change.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice