Criminal Justice (Victims' Rights)

HB 330 amends Louisiana law to strengthen penalties for damaging graves and religious institutions. It increases fines for grave desecration to up to $500,000 or six months in jail (plus mandatory restitution), and for religious building vandalism, fines range from $500 to $5,000 based on damage costs (with imprisonment up to two years for $500+ damage). The bill directly affects individuals who intentionally damage graves or religious structures, requiring courts to order offenders to pay for the damage sustained. These provisions apply to all such offenses, with enhanced penalties specifically for religious sites.

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.

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.