Criminal Justice (Human Trafficking) in Louisiana

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 523: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Provides relative to defendants who are victims of domestic abuse, human trafficking, or sexual assault. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

SB 523 is a procedural amendment that modifies an existing law regarding defendants who are victims of domestic abuse, human trafficking, or sexual assault. The specific change expands the scope of the current provision to include two additional subparts, thereby broadening the legal protections available to these individuals. This bill does not introduce new policies or create new programs but rather adjusts the text of an already enacted statute to ensure it covers a wider range of related legal situations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Violent Crime

passed both · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SCR 30: CONGRESS: Memorializes the United States Congress to compel the Department of Justice to release all unclassified documents, videos, images and materials related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

This Louisiana Senate concurrent resolution asks the U.S. Congress to ensure that all individuals linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case are fully investigated, prosecuted, and held accountable for alleged crimes such as child sex trafficking and bribery. The bill specifically targets high-profile figures mentioned in recently released documents, including Ghislaine Maxwell, and calls for their names to be disclosed and legal actions to be taken through every available process. It does not create new laws or penalties but serves as a formal request to the federal government to pursue these cases aggressively. The measure is intended to address public concerns about accountability following the initial release of unclassified files related to Epstein and Maxwell.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

in committee · Louisiana · House May 26, 2026

HB 998: CRIMINAL/VICTIMS: Provides relative to the examination and medical care of victims of human trafficking-related offenses and domestic violence offenses involving strangulation (EG INCREASE SD EX See Note)

This bill expands Louisiana's existing forensic medical examination requirements to include victims of human trafficking and domestic violence involving strangulation, alongside current protections for sexual assault victims. It mandates that healthcare providers offer these specialized examinations to survivors, which include physical trauma assessments, patient interviews documenting abuse history and strangulation incidents, and collection of forensic evidence such as biological specimens and photographic documentation. The legislation also requires that examinations occur in private spaces with access to victim advocates, and it updates statutory definitions to clarify which offenses qualify for these protections. Healthcare facilities must follow specific procedures for treating survivors, including mandatory reporting for minors and provisions for emergency medical care and evidence preservation.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Violent Crime

passed · Louisiana · House Mar 19, 2026

HR 31: COMMENDATIONS: Commends Chief Judge Ree Casey Jones and Caddo Juvenile Court on the achievements of S.T.A.R. Court, Louisiana's first specialized court against human trafficking

This bill is a commendation resolution that recognizes Chief Judge Ree Casey Jones and the Caddo Juvenile Court for their work on S.T.A.R. Court, Louisiana's first specialized court focused on human trafficking. The resolution highlights the development of a multi-disciplinary team that creates trauma-informed service plans for at-risk youth and trafficking victims, and notes that this model has been replicated across other parishes in the state. It formally expresses appreciation for the efforts to support and protect at-risk youth through specialized treatment and recovery programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Judges

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 991: CRIMINAL/SENTENCING: Provides relative to sentencing guidelines

This bill updates Louisiana's sentencing guidelines to include a new factor that courts must consider when deciding whether to grant probation or suspend a sentence. It allows judges to weigh a defendant's history of being a victim of domestic abuse, human trafficking, child trafficking, or sexual assault if there is a clear connection between that victimization and the current crime. When a court finds this connection exists, it must also order a presentence investigation before making sentencing decisions. The bill also adds a general provision for courts to consider any other relevant mitigating circumstances in their sentencing determinations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Probation & Parole Sentencing

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 Justice ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Homelessness Tenant Rights

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 Justice

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 83: SCHOOLS: Provides for training to prevent human trafficking at public elementary and secondary schools and provides for victims' services. (gov sig) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 83 requires Louisiana public school boards to adopt human trafficking prevention policies starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Each school must designate at least one employee (a counselor, mental health professional, or administrator) to complete annual training on identifying trafficking indicators, reporting requirements, and victim resources, with the state providing training options. The bill also expands victim services by directing the Department of Children and Family Services to develop coordinated care plans for child and youth trafficking victims, including access to health, housing, and legal support. Charter schools are specifically exempt from most public school mandates but must comply with this training requirement (R.S. 3996(B)(92)). Annual reports on victim services and trafficking investigations will be submitted to the governor’s office and legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 94: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Provides for bail conditions for defendants charged with certain domestic offenses. (8/1/26)

SB 94 changes Louisiana's bail rules for defendants charged with specific domestic violence, stalking, sex offenses, or human trafficking cases. If a court determines a defendant poses a threat to a victim, it must require no contact with the victim’s home, school, workplace, or any communication (including electronic). For human trafficking cases, the bill also restricts certain employment (like ride-sharing, childcare, or door-to-door sales) as a bail condition. The law applies directly to defendants facing these offenses and aims to prioritize victim safety through concrete bail restrictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Human Trafficking

died · Louisiana · House Mar 16, 2026

HCR 1: CONGRESS: Memorializes the La. congressional delegation to investigate the individuals implicated in the Epstein files and ensure they are prosecuted and held responsible through every available legal process

HCR 1 is a concurrent resolution asking Louisiana's U.S. congressional delegation to investigate and pursue prosecution of individuals named in the Epstein files, including those allegedly involved in child sex trafficking, blackmail, and bribery. It references the Epstein Files Transparency Act (2025), which mandated public disclosure of unclassified DOJ documents revealing high-profile connections to Epstein's network. The resolution requests that Louisiana's representatives ensure all implicated individuals face full legal accountability through available processes. This is a non-binding request to federal lawmakers, not a new law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

All criminal justice bills