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LAJ summary of selected bills and effective dates
2025 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature
LAJ staff compiled this summary of selected bills enacted during the 2025 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Resources used include legislative instruments found on the website of the Louisiana Legislature, digests, and summaries prepared by legislative staff and House Legislative Services.
During the session, you were provided with updates on bills specifically targetting your clients. This is a broader listing of bills enacted.
To access all legislative instruments, go to www.legis.la.gov. Texts of acts and legislative history, including archived Internet broadcasts of committee and floor action, are also available on that website.
Art. 3, Sect. 19 of the Louisiana Constitution specifies that the effective date of an act of the regular session shall be August 1 of the calendar year in which the session was held, unless the instrument itself specifies a different effective date. You should see the act for any specific language concerning proposed prospective or retroactive application. If no such language exists, courts will perform retroactivity analysis under Civil Code art. 6 and R.S. 1:2.
Please forward corrections, comments, questions, or other concerns to Tom Wright, 225-242-4837 or twright@lafj.org.
2025 Regular Session: Convened April 14. Adjourned June 12. Odd-numbered years are limited “fiscal” sessions. Legislators could file unlimited fiscal bills, unlimited local bills, and only five general bills. Instruments filed:: 944 bills (696 House/248 Senate), 24 constitutional amendments, 751 resolutions and study requests.
Quick links
Civil lawsuits
Immunity
Governmental immunity
Fortified homes — income tax, registry
Insurance
Insurance companies
Law institute
Practice and procedure
Children
Law enforcement
Ambulance services
Public officials
Traffic violations
New crimes
Criminal justice
Sex offenses
Sentencing
Post-conviction
Constitutional amendments
Modified comparative fault. 51% bar to recovery. A person 51% or more at fault is not entitled to any damages for injury, death, or loss. A person less than 51% at fault receives damages in proportion to their comparative fault. Requires that the jury must be instructed on the effect of their findings where the issue of comparative fault is submitted to the jury. (Amends C.C. art. 2323(A); adds C.C. art. 2323(D)) HB 431 Chenevert. Act 15. Effective January 1, 2026
Housley presumption repeal. For a personal injury claim not raised under workers’ compensation law, a lack of medical history for an illness, injury, or condition does not create a legal presumption that the accident or event on trial caused the illness, injury, or condition. Legislatively overrules Housley v. Cerise, 579 So. 2d 973 (La. 1991). Prospective only. (Adds C.E. art. 306.1) HB 450 Melerine. Act 18. Effective May 28, 2025
Collateral source. Recoverable medical expenses are based on amounts actually paid or owed to the medical provider, rather than the amount a provider originally billed. ◆ Provides that in a trial to recover past medical expenses provided by a health-insurance issuer or Medicare to a contracted medical provider, the trier of fact shall be informed of the amounts billed and the amounts actually paid for medical expenses incurred by the claimant. ◆ Limits the recovery of past medical expenses to the amounts paid to a medical provider and the amounts remaining owed to a medical provider, including medical expenses secured by a contractual or statutory privilege, lien, or guarantee. ◆ Provides that in cases where the claimant’s attorney has entered into a pre-negotiated agreement with a medical provider of the claimant in which the medical provider agreed to accept as full compensation an amount less than the amount billed, the claimant’s recovery is limited to the amount actually paid pursuant to the agreement and any applicable cost-sharing amounts paid or owed by the claimant. ◆ Does not apply to medical malpractice cases brought pursuant to Medical Malpractice and Malpractice Liability for State Services. ◆ Does not apply to first-party automobile liability insurance providing for medical payments coverage. ◆ Prospective only. Does not apply to causes of action filed prior to effective date of January 1, 2026. (Amends R.S. 9:2800.27) SB 231 Reese. Act 466. Effective January 1, 2026
No pay, no play. Uninsured motor vehicle owners are limited from recovering the first $100,000 of bodily injury and property damages. Further, if the uninsured motor vehicle owner or operator institutes an action to recover damages in any amount, regardless of whether that owner or operator is at fault, and that owner or operator is awarded $100,000 or less, then the owner or operator shall be assessed and held liable to pay all court costs incurred by all parties to the action. (Amends R.S. 32:866(A)(1), (C), and (F)) HB 434 Dewitt. Act 16. Effective August 1, 2025
Unauthorized alien. Prohibits an award of general damages and past and future wages for unauthorized aliens in an automobile accident. An un-authorized alien is allowed to recover for other special damages and their own uninsured motorist coverage. (Adds C.C. art. 2315.12) HB 436 Firment. Act 17. Effective August 1, 2025
Medical malpractice. Expands the definition of health care and malpractice in the Medical Malpractice Act to include administrative, custodial staff, and those in a managerial capacity. (Amends R.S. 40:1151.1(6) and 1231.1(A)(9), (10), and (13)) SB 134 Pressly. Act 342. Effective August 1, 2025
Two-year prescription. Extends the filing deadline for wrongful death and survival actions to one year from the death of the deceased or two years from the day that injury or damage is sustained, whichever is longer. Specifies that the prescriptive period for medical malpractice survival actions is governed by R.S. 9:5628. Further specifies that medical malpractice wrongful death actions prescribe one year from the date of death. (Amends C.C. arts. 2315.1(A) and 2315.2(B); adds C.C. arts. 2315.1(F) and 2315.2(F)) HB 291 Galle. Act 176. Effective August 1, 2025
Gypsum. Exempts gypsum suppliers and agricultural producers or landowners that utilize gypsum from civil liability arising out of the gypsum utilization when following all laws, rules, regulations, and specifications. (Adds R.S. 3:1424) SB 32 Allain. Act 94. Effective August 1, 2025
Donated medical supplies. Limits liability for nonprofit organization that gratuitously donates medical equipment or supplies in proper working condition at time of donation and not subject to product recall, unless the damage or injury was caused by gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. (Adds R.S. 9:2793.13) HB 16 Schlegel. Act 234. Effective August 1, 2025
Ivermectin. Immunity for pharmacist acting in good faith and with reasonable care dispensing Ivermectin to a person 18 or older pursuant to a standing order issued by a health-care professional with authority to write prescriptions. (Adds R.S. 37:1218.3) SB 19 Fesi. Act 464. Effective June 20, 2025
Guns and ammo, losing plaintiff pays. Expands limitation of liability for manufacturers and sellers of firearms to include ammunition and to protect distributors. Provides that a losing plaintiff is liable for all of the defendant’s attorney fees, costs, and compensation for loss of income and expenses incurred as a result of the action. (Amends R.S. 9:2800.60 and R.S. 40:1799) HB 289 Carrier. Act 175. Effective August 1, 2025
False imprisonment. Limits liability of public entities for false imprisonment of an offender sentenced to a term of imprisonment. Requires offender challenging the computation or calculation of the offender’s sentence, release date, good time date, or parole date to pursue that claim through the Corrections Administrative Remedy Procedure, including judicial review in the 19th JDC. Prospective only. (Adds R.S. 9:2800.30) SB 39 Morris. Act 317. Effective August 1, 2025
School employee bill of rights. Establishes the school employee bill of rights for school employees in city, parish, or other local public schools, and is a compilation of numerous provisions including the following: ◆ A school employee has the right to work free from the fear of frivolous lawsuits, including the right to qualified immunity, to a legal defense, and to indemnification by the employing school board, pursuant to R.S. 17:416.4, 416.11, and 439, for actions taken in performance of duties of the school employees’ employment. ◆ To perform noncomplex medical procedures only if all the requirements in R.S. 17:436 have been met and documented. ◆ To administer medication only if all the requirements in R.S. 17:436.1 have been met and documented. (Amends R.S. 17:416(A)(1)(b)(i) and 416.8(A)(1)(a); adds R.S. 17:416.8 (A)(1)(a)(x) and 416.18.1) SB 178 Jenkins. Act 439. Effective June 20, 2025
Fortified homes — income tax, registry
Income tax credit. Establishes an income tax credit for taxpayers who pay to have a fortified roof installed on their property. Applicable to qualifying expenses paid on or after July 1, 2025. (Adds R.S. 47:6044) SB 28 Talbot. Act 404. Effective June 20, 2025
Fortify Homes Program. Exempts grants from the Fortify Homes Program from individual income tax. (Adds R.S. 22:1483.1(F) and R.S. 47:293(9)(a)(xxvii)) SB 52 McMath. Act 32. Effective June 4, 2025
Standards compliance. Increases the maximum amount of the construction code retrofitting deduction and expands the deduction to cover costs associated with “fortified home” standards compliance. (Amends R.S. 47:293(2)(a)(i), (b), and (d); repeals R.S. 47:293(2)(c) and (e)) HB 145 Wilder. Act 473. Effective January 1, 2026
Fees and taxes. Raises fees and dedicates proceeds from these fees and certain taxes collected by the Department of Insurance to the Fortify Homes Program. (Amends R.S. 22:821(B)(2), (3)(b), (23)(a) and (b), and (24)) HB 441 Henry. Act 501. Effective January 1, 2026; (Adds R.S. 22:439(A)(1)(c), (E) and (F), and 821(C), and 831(C)) HB 329 Hebert. Act 79. Effective July 1, 2026
Roof registry. Creates the Louisiana Roof Registry, a voluntary registry that allows property owners and local governments to submit building permit information. (Adds R.S. 22:2271) HB 122 Berault. Act 62. Effective August 1, 2025
Rate regulation. Gives the commissioner of insurance the power to disapprove excessively high rates for property and casualty insurance, regardless of market competition. Requires insurer to prominently display prior premium amounts near the renewal price on a policy’s renewal paperwork. (Amends R.S. 22:881.1, 1452(C) and (6), 1454(A) and (B)(5), 1464(D), and 1465(A)(1) and (4); repeals R.S. 22:1451(D), 1452(C)(4) and (15), 1453, and 1455) HB 148 Wiley. Act 11. Effective August 1, 2025
Cancellation notice. Expands the time frame for insurers to deliver a notice of policy cancellation or nonrenewal to consumers and requires that such notice include the cause for the nonrenewal (Amends R.S. 22:41(9), 887(A) and (1)(a) and (G)(1), 1266(A)(5), (D)(1), and (E)(1), 1267(C)(2)(a) and (E)(1), and 1335(A)) HB 345 Wyble. Act 182. Effective July 1, 2026
Stated value. Creates the Stated Value Policy Act. Allows homeowners to buy coverage based on a stated value for their residential property or the property’s outstanding mortgage balance, rather than real estate market estimates. (Adds R.S. 22:1346.1-1346.6) HB 356 Braud. Act 480. Effective June 30, 2025
Commercial motor vehicles. Requires a liability premium discount for commercial motor vehicle policies that install dashboard cameras and telematics systems. Exempts surplus lines insurers. (Adds R.S. 22:1482.2) HB 549 Schamerhorn. Act 19. Effective January 1, 2026
Lapse. Protects consumers from increased premiums or surcharges for a first lapse in coverage as long as the lapse does not exceed 90 days and the consumer maintains continuous coverage for the next five consecutive years. (Amends R.S. 22:1284.1(A) and (D); repeals R.S. 22:1284.1(B)) HB 496 Hebert. Act 476. Effective January 1, 2026
Ads. Property and casualty insurers must not consider “institutional advertising expenses” when setting insurance rates. (Amends R.S. 22:1452(C) and (7) and 1454(B)(3); adds R.S. 22:1452(C)(9.1)) HB 438 Fiment. Act 85. Effective January 1, 2026
Notice. Property insurers and automobile insurers must notify the Department of Insurance of a decision to cease, pause, or resume writing policies for a particular region. (Amends R.S. 44:4.1(B)(11); adds R.S. 22:1276) SB 137 Talbot. Act 429. Effective January 1, 2026
Rate report. Insurers must provide a rate transparency report to the Department of Insurance with each rate filing and to consumers with each policy offer or renewal. (Adds R.S. 22:1464.1) SB 136 Talbot. Act 428. Effective January 1, 2027
Credit report. Requires insurers to inform consumers of how they can obtain a copy of any credit information used in the underwriting or rating process. (Amends R.S. 22:1508-1510) SB 61 Luneau. Act 465. Effective July 1, 2026
Proof of loss. Establishes a model form for proof of loss statements. Requires proof of payment of deductible to receive recoverable depreciation. (Amends R.S. 22:1892(A)(7), (B)(4), and (B)(5) and (b); adds R.S. 22:1892(A)(8) and 1892.3) HB 437 Firment. Act 500. Effective August 1, 2025
Public adjusters. Prohibits a public adjuster from acting as a contractor or subcontractor or providing construction, roofing, or repair services to the insured in connection with an insurance claim processed by the adjuster. Adds prohibitions regarding property insurance contracts. Prohibits persons from advertising or soliciting as insurance claims specialists or providing any insurance claim or policy interpretation related services to insureds. (Amends R.S. 22:1706(H) and R.S. 37:2159.1(3); adds R.S. 22:1706(H)(11) and R.S. 37:2159.1(7) and (8)) HB 121 Adams. Act 144. Effective August 1, 2025
Fraudulent insurance act. Adds that alteration of a repair estimate without notification to the author of the estimate, supplement, or revision is a fraudulent insurance act. (Adds R.S. 22:1923(2)(q)) SB 34 Luneau. Act 406. Effective July 1, 2026
Code of Civil Procedure. Continuous revision of the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides for ongoing revisions throughout the Code of Civil Procedure. Also changes the law in Civil Code Article 3462 so that the filing of an action in a court of competent jurisdiction will interrupt the prescriptive period even if venue is improper. More specific statutes still require an action to be filed in a court of both competent jurisdiction and proper venue in order to interrupt prescription. See Law Institute comments. (Amends C.C. art. 3462 and C.C.P. arts. 74.2(E), 371, 684, 863(F), 927(A)(5), 966(B)(5), 1201(C), 1313(A)(4), 1351, 1551, 1702(A)(5), 1811(A)(1), 1911(B), 1913(A), (C), and (D), 1914(B) and (D), 1915(A)(1), (4), and (5), (B), and (C), 1974, 2088(A)(11), 2595, 3721, 4607, 4873, and 5059; adds C.C.P. art. 1915(D); repeals C.C.P. arts. 74.2(F), 2088(A)(12), and 3784) HB 178 Johnson. Act 250. Effective August 1, 2025
Civil Code. Updates definitions of terms throughout the Civil Code. (Amends C.C. arts. 14, 159, 234, 811(B), 1805, 1899, 1900 and C.C. arts. 1978, 1979, 1981, 1985, 2021, 2035, 2315.1(E), 2315.2(E), 2321(C)(3), 2442, 2701, 2806(B) and (C), 2838, 2841, 2843, 2844(A) and (C), 3025, 3506, and 3536; adds C.C. arts. 15 and 3514; repeals C.C. art. 3343) HB 181 Wiley. Act 488. Effective August 1, 2025
Enclosed estates and utility servitudes. Updates the law dealing with enclosed estates, rights of passage, and utility servitudes within the Civil Code and R.S. 9. Removes the utility servitude from the enclosed estates articles. The utility servitude is provided for in R.S. 9:1281, et seq. (Amends C.C. arts. 689-696; adds R.S. 9:1281-1289; repeals C.C. art. 696.1) SB 35 Price. Act 27. Effective August 1, 2025
Will formalities. Provides for validity of testaments. ◆ Maintains for validity that an olographic will must be written, dated, and signed by the testator, but eliminates the requirements that the signature appear at the end of the testament and provides that the date is sufficient if indicated by the day, month, and year. ◆ Provides that the signature of the testator may appear anywhere in the testament and is sufficient if it identifies the testator. Date may appear anywhere in the testament and may be clarified by extrinsic evidence. ◆ Provides for validity that the notarial testament shall be prepared in writing, dated, executed before a notary and two witnesses, and signed by the testator, each witness, and the notary. ◆ Eliminates the requirements that the testator declare that the instrument is his testament and that the testament include an attestation clause. ◆ Repeals certain requirements for form for notarial testaments when the testator is literate and sighted but physically unable to sign, when the testator is unable to read, when the testator is deaf or deaf and blind, and for the execution of a notarial testament in braille. ◆ Provides for new self-proving requirements and provisions. ◆ Provides that this new law will apply prospectively and retroactively and shall be applied to existing and pending claims, but shall not revive prescribed claims or final and definitive judgments. (Amends C.C. arts. 1575, 1576, 1581; C.C.P. art. 2887, 2891; repeals C.C. arts. 1577-1580.1) SB 49 Miller. Act 30. Effective August 1, 2025
Successions. Provides for the continuous revision of successions. ◆ Authorizes ex parte probate if there is no objection, without any longer requiring objections to be made orally at a hearing or filed prior to the hearing. Provides that an objection to ex parte probate may be presented in an opposition and shall be filed. ◆ Includes succession proceedings in current law allowing the privilege of litigating without the prior payment of costs. Provides that when a party is permitted to proceed without the payment of costs in a succession proceeding, the payment of costs due shall be ordered to be paid from the succession assets. (Amends C.C.P. arts. 2881, 2882, 2889, 2890, 2901 and C.C.P. arts. 5181(A) and 5186) SB 67 Foil. Act 34. Effective August 1, 2025
Successions. Enforceability of penalty clauses in wills. Provides that a provision in a juridical act that purports to penalize a person for filing an action to challenge the act is unenforceable if there is a substantial likelihood that the challenge would be successful. (Adds C.C. art. 1519.1) SB 93 Lambert. Act 39. Effective August 1, 2025
Electronic filing. Attorneys must file pleadings electronically as of January 1, 2026, but adds that attorneys may also file in person in paper at the courthouse for criminal and civil filings. However, the restriction to these two methods is only on attorneys. Individuals who are not attorneys may still file by mail, fax, electronically, or in person. Adds that, notwithstanding the new law, the following original documents may be filed in paper form either in person, by U.S. mail, or by commercial courier: ◆ An original will or testament filed and retained in accordance with C.C.P. Art. 2911. ◆ An original promissory note, other instrument, or any evidence required to be in authentic form in accordance with C.C.P. Art. 2635. ◆ Motions for default judgment that do not require a hearing in open court pursuant to C.C.P. arts. 1702 and 1702.1 and supporting attached documentation. ◆ Documents that are required to be original in order to support or defend against a claim. (Amends C.C.P. art. 253(B)(2) and C.Cr.P. art. 14.1(B); adds C.C.P. art. 253(B)(3)) HB 310 Zeringue. Act 352. Effective August 1, 2025
Hammond. Increases the civil jurisdictional limit from $30,000 to $50,000 for the City Court of Hammond. (Amends C.C.P. arts. 4843(E) and (G)) SB 5 Wheat. Act 21. Effective August 1, 2025
Children & Family Services. Reorganizes the Department of Children & Family Services to focus on child welfare via oversight of child protective services, human trafficking prevention, adoption and foster care services, prevention of child abuse and neglect, and child support administration. (Amends various Ch. C. arts., C.E. art. 902(10), R.S.; repeals R.S. 36:474(A)(11) and (G) and 477(B)(2) and R.S. 46:51(2) and (14) and 233.1(A) and (B)) HB 617 Carver. Act 477. Effective date: See act.
Enacts Charlie’s Law. Enhances child welfare, especially in early learning environments, by expanding pre-K program licensing, setting minimum program safety standards, addressing liability, and clarifying mandatory reporting requirements and procedures for abuse and neglect. (Amends various R.S., Ch. C. art.; adds R.S.17:15(A)(1)(b)(i)(dd) and (2)(a)(vi), 407.41, and 3996(B)(82), Ch. C. art. 603(17)(l)-(o) and 610(I) and C.C. art. 2315.12) SB 41 Barrow. Act 409. Effective August 1, 2025
Age verification. Requires digital application stores to age-verify users. A minor’s accounts for an app store or any digital apps must connect to a parent’s account to verify consent before downloading content or making purchases. (Amends Section 2 of Act 656 of the 2024 R.S.; adds R.S. 51:1771-1775) HB 570 Carver. Act 481. Effective July 1, 2026
Kids Online Protection and Anti-Grooming Act. Establishes a duty of care for minor users (an account holder under the age of 16) of online platforms that allow user engagement and socialization. Requires platforms to take reasonable measures to prioritize the privacy of the minor’s account. Provides for a process for the attorney general to enforce the law with civil fines. (Adds R.S. 9:2717.4) HB 37 Schlegel. Act 236. Effective June 1, 2026
Tracking. Provides for the termination of manufacturer vehicle tracking in cases of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. Requires a motor vehicle manufacturer to suspend the remote access technology on a motor vehicle within two business days of a complete remote access suspension request from a survivor. Provides for the attorney general to enforce the law with civil fines. Limits vehicle manufacturer liability for any claims deriving from manufacturer's technological inability to disable the remote access technology or for any claims initiated by an abuser. (R.S. 14:323; R.S. 46:1291-1296) HB 74 Johnson. Act 225. Effective August 1, 2025
Reports. Mandates a written report when any law enforcement officer uses physical force on a member of the public. (Adds R.S. 40:2554) SB 128 Carter. Act 426. Effective August 1, 2025
Ambulance service rates. Requires local governing authorities to submit the established ground ambulance service rates provided in its geographic service area to Louisiana Department of Insurance. Requires LDI to establish and maintain a publicly accessible database for ambulance service rates on its website. Authorizes insurers to rely in good faith on the information provided in the database. (Amends R.S. 33:4791.1(C), (D), and (E); adds R.S. 33:4791.1(F)) HB 241 Illg. Act 489. Effective August 1, 2025
Notary. Increases the required bond amount that notaries public, other than licensed attorneys, must maintain from $10,000 to $50,000. (Amends R.S. 35:71(A), (B), (D)(2), and (E), 191(A)(3)(c), 192(A), 201(A)(3), 391(6), and 412(C); adds R.S. 35:192(C); repeals R.S. 39:342) HB 259 Taylor. Act 258. Effective February 1, 2026
Public records. Adds to the list of persons who may request their personal information not be published by a public body or a third party to include current or retired district attorneys, assistant district attorneys, district attorney investigators, current members of the legislature, current statewide elected officials, and current members of the public service commission as protected individuals. (Amends R.S. 44:11.2(E)(1) and (2)(c) and (H); adds R.S. 44:11.2(A)(6), (7), (8), (9) and (J); repeals R.S. 44:11.2(D)) HB 681 Bryant. Act 303. Effective February 1, 2026
Hands free. Prohibits wireless device use while driving, with specified exceptions, penalties, and enforcement provisions. Officers can only issue warnings for hands-free infractions before January 1, 2026. It is a secondary offense. Officers cannot seize or search your phone over a violation. Prohibits officers from searching or requesting to search a motor vehicle, motor vehicle operator, or passenger based solely on a secondary offense. In school and construction zones, having your phone in your hand while driving is a primary offense. The fine is $100 generally or $250 in school and construction zones. (Amends R.S. 15:571.11(A)(4); adds R.S. 32:59; repeals R.S. 32:300.5-300.8) HB 519 Glorioso. Act 288. Effective August 1, 2025
Left lane. Increases the penalty for driving too slowly in the left lane and removes the 10-miles-per-hour-or-less stipulation for the offense. (Amends R.S. 32:71(B)(2)) SB 11 Luneau. Act 24. Effective August 1, 2025
Traffic cameras. Requires local municipalities to post signs indicating presence of automated speed enforcement devices or mobile speed cameras. Limits use of automated speed enforcement devices and mobile cameras to lawfully posted school zones. Prohibits issuing criminal fines or fees by mail as a result of automated speed enforcement devices or mobile speed cameras. Adds intentional violation of prohibitions against unmanned traffic cameras or speed enforcement devices for the purpose of issuing citations by mail to the crime of malfeasance in office. (Amends R.S. 14:134(A)(2) and R.S. 32:43(A)(3), 45(A), (B)(1), and (C), 46(B), (C), and (D)(1), 47(A) and 47(A)(2) and (4), and (B), 48(B)(4)(e), and 49; adds R.S. 32:1(111), (112), and (113), 43(A)(4), 46(E), 47(A)(5), (6), (7), and (C), and 48(B)(9) and (10); repeals R.S. 32:44(B) and (C)) SB 99 Cathey. Act 107. Effective August 1, 2025
Kratom. Bans the possession or distribution of kratom. (Amends R.S. 40:964(Schedule I)(G); adds 40:966.1 and 989.2(C)(5)(m); repeals R.S. 40:989.3) SB 154 Morris. Act 41. Effective August 1, 2025
Grooming. Defines child grooming and adds grooming a child under age 17, where the offender is at least four years older than the child, as indecent behavior with juveniles. (Amends R.S. 14:81(A)(1) and (C); adds R.S. 14:81(A)(3)) SB 58 Connick. Act 97. Effective August 1, 2025
Theft. Addresses misappropriation of funds in connection with utility services payment. (Adds R.S. 14:71.5) HB 6 Jackson. Act 231. Effective August 1, 2025
Pardon. Prohibits unlawful posting of a record or recording of any testimony presented during an executive session of the Board of Pardons and Committee on Parole. (Amends R.S. 15:572.4(B)(2), 573, and 574.2(D)(9)(a), R.S. 42:17(A)(10), and R.S. 44:4.1(B)(8); adds R.S. 14:81.5.1, R.S. 15:574.4.1(A)(3) and 574.12.1, and R.S. 42:17(A)(11)) HB 49 Melerine. Act 128. Effective August 1, 2025
Hallucinogens. Bans the production, manufacture, distribution, or possession of products containing the hallucinogenic chemicals beta-phenyl-GABA, muscimol, or ibotenic acid. (Adds R.S. 40:989.5) HB 176 Firment. Act 154. Effective August 1, 2025
Drone no-fly zone. Addresses unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft system at a parade. Allows law enforcement officers to take mitigation measures against a threat posed by an unmanned aircraft system operating in a nefarious manner. (Adds R.S. 14:337(B)(5) and (6) and(G) and 337.1) HB 261 Galle. Act 170. Effective August 1, 2025
Juvenile records. Prohibits juvenile criminal conduct records from being disseminated in a criminal background check to anyone outside of the criminal justice system. Requires any access and use of juvenile criminal conduct information to include an audit trail to maintain the integrity of the records and ensure accountability. (Amends Ch.C. art. 412(M) and R.S. 15:589.1 and 579; Adds Ch.C. art. 412(P) and R.S. 12:589.1) HB 445 Villio. Act 364. Effective August 1, 2025
Victims. Creates the Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights and requires the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to create a comprehensive victims’ services system to notify victims, witnesses, and designated family members of their rights and to inform them of legal proceedings. Specifies reporting procedures of escapes from parish prison facilities and jails. (Adds R.S. 15:715 and R.S. 46:1847 and 1848) HB 479 Landry. Act 370. Effective August 1, 2025
Prostitution. Aligns penalties for various prostitution-related offenses with the present penalty for trafficking of children for sexual purposes. Requires notice of specialized services and the available treatments for sexually exploited persons be given to victims. (Amends R.S. 14:46.3(A)(1) and (D)(2), 82.2(C)(1), (4), and (5), 83(B)(1)(b), (2), and (3), 83.1(B)(2) and (3), 83.2(B)(2) and (3), 84(B)(2) and (3), 85(B)(2) and (3), 86(B)(1)(b) and (c), 89.2(B)(3)(a), 104(B)(2) and (3), 105(B)(2) and (3), and 282(B)(2) and (3), R.S. 15:539.1(A), 539.2(A), and 541(24)(a), and R.S. 46:1844(W)(2)(a); adds R.S. 14:46.3(A)(7) and 83(C)) HB 5 Jackson. Act 230. Effective August 1, 2025
Rape. Specifies an additional circumstance that constitutes second degree rape. Changes the list of applicable sex offenses that have a 30-year time limit to initiate prosecution once the underage victim turns 18. Increases the age for hearsay exceptions when the declarant is unavailable to 13. (Amends C.Cr.P. art. 571.1 and C.E. art. 804(B)(5); adds R.S. 14:42.1(A)(3)) HB 67 Horton. Act 346. Effective August 1, 2025
Sex offender. Adds loitering within 500 feet of a location that is commonly used for the pickup or drop off of children for school or a school-related activity when a child is present to the crimes of unlawful presence of a sex offender and sexually violent predator. (Amends R.S. 14:91.1(D); adds R.S. 14:91.1(A)(3) and 91.2(A)(7)) HB 111 Villio. Act 142. Effective August 1, 2025
Child porn. Audrey Wascome Act. Changes references from “pornography involving juveniles” to “child sexual abuse materials.” (Amends R.S. 14:73.8(A), (C), and (D), 81.1(A), (B)(8) and (9), (E)(1)-(4) and (5)(a) and (b), (F)(2), (3)(b) and (c), (4), and (5) and (d), 89.1(A)(2)(b)(i), 91.2(B), and 91.5(A)(1), R.S. 15:537(A), 539.1(F), 541(24)(a) and (25)(d), 543.1(18), 545.1(C), and 1352(A)(45), R.S. 17:100.7(A)(1), R.S. 46:51.2(C)(1)(a), C.Cr.P. arts. 648(B)(3)(i) and 718.1(A) and (B), Ch.C. arts. 502(3) and (4), 603(8) and (12)(l), and 610(F), and C.C. art. 2315.3; adds R.S. 14:81.1(I) and R.S. 15:541(24)(c)) HB 268 LaFleur. Act 261. Effective August 1, 2025
Murder. Enacts the Segus Jolivette Act. Adds resisting a police officer with force or violence to the list of offenses that may constitute second degree murder. Adds unlawful distribution of a controlled substance to the list of circumstances under which a person can be prosecuted for manslaughter. (Amends R.S. 14:30.1(A)(2); adds R.S. 14:31(A)(4) and (5)) HB 260 Villio. Act 169. Effective June 8, 2025
Hit and run. Establishes a two-year minimum mandatory sentence for certain hit and run driving offenses. (Amends R.S. 14:100(C)(2)) HB 35 Romero. Act 124. Effective August 1, 2025
Elders. Adds cruelty to the elderly as a predicate felony for first and second degree murder. (Amends R.S. 14:30(A)(1) and 30.1(A)(2)) HB 14 Cox. Act 343. Effective August 1, 2025
Monitoring services. Revises electronic monitoring services, including: ◆ increasing penalties against providers who fail to timely report; ◆ allowing a waiver of monitoring costs in juvenile matters or at the request of the responsible entity; ◆ establishing fines and penalties for those who violate electronic monitoring conditions; ◆ allowing the issuance of an arrest warrant upon a finding of noncompliance; ◆ terminating participation in monitoring after a third noncompliance and ordering those monitored into state custody or pre-trial facilities. (Amends R.S. 15:571.36(C)(1), (C)(2), and (C)(4) and 571.36(D); adds R.S. 15:571.36(A)(12), 571.37, and 571.38) SB 95 Cloud. Act 416. Effective August 1, 2025
Procedure. Revises post-conviction relief procedures, including deadlines for courts handling post-conviction applications, and restricts shell petitions. (Amends C.Cr.P. arts. 926(B) and (E), 926.2(A) and (B)(2) and (3), 927, 930(A) and (C), 930.2, 930.4, (A), and (D)-(G), 930.5, 930.6(B), 930.8(A) and (2)-(4) and (B)-(E) and R.S. 15:178; adds C.Cr.P. arts. 924(5) and (6), 926(F) and (G), 926.4, 927.1, 930.4(H), 930.8(F), 930.11, and R.S. 15:169(C); repeals C.Cr.P. Arts. 928, 930.6(C), and 930.10) HB 675 Glorioso. Act 393. Effective August 1, 2025
Probation violation. Includes prohibited acts involving drug paraphernalia as a technical violation of probation and includes a felony conviction as grounds for mandatory probation revocation. (Amends C.Cr.P. arts. 900(A)(6)(e)(i)(bb) and 901(A); adds C.Cr.P. art. 901(D)) HB 214 Villio. Act 72. Effective August 1, 2025
Post-sentence data. Requires all post-sentence statements be submitted to Department of Public Safety & Corrections and all criminal justice data be submitted through the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System. (Amends C.Cr.P. art. 892(C); adds R.S. 15:1228.10) HB 23 Muscarello. Act 46. Effective August 1, 2025
Parole eligibility. Revises parole and diminution of sentence eligibility. ◆ Requires no major disciplinary offense for 36 months prior to parole consideration. ◆ Prohibits diminution of sentence earned by a habitual or sex offender. ◆ Specifies probationary period for offenders with a split sentence. ◆ Specifies procedures should an offender be convicted of an offense while on unsupervised parole. ◆ Creates the Deportation Eligibility Hearing Committee within the Board of Pardons. (Amends R.S. 15:529.2(B)(3), 571.3.1(F), 574.4(A)(4)(b), (B)(2)(a)(iii),(b)(iii), (c)(iii), and (d)(iii), (D)(1)(b), (E)(1)(b), (F)(1)(b), (G)(1)(b), and (J)(1)(b), 574.6, 574.9 and (H)(1)(a)(i), and 1199.24(A)(5); adds R.S. 15:571.3(C), 571.3.1(I), 574.9(H)(1)(a)(i)(dd), 574.71, and 574.72; repeals R.S. 15:574.9(F)) HB 208 Villio. Act 158. Effective June 8, 2025
Capital cases. Changes certain procedures relative to capital cases: ◆ Permits the presence of a spiritual advisor if requested by the convict at an execution. ◆ Allows the Department of Public Safety & Corrections secretary to determine the other witnesses present. ◆ Changes the earliest time an execution can occur. (Amends R.S. 15:567(B) and (C) and 570(A)(5) and (6) and (D); repeals R.S. 15:569.1) HB 394 Muscarello. Act 193. Effective June 8, 2025
Constitutional amendments
April 18, 2026
Judges. Increases the mandatory retirement age of judges to 75 from 70. (Amends Const. Art. V, § 23(B)) HB 63 Green. Act 219.
Tax. Authorizes a parish to exempt business inventory from ad valorem taxes or to reduce the percentage of fair market value applicable to business inventory. (Amends Const. Art. VII, §§ 10.15(F)(1) and 18(A) and (B); adds Const. Art. VII, §§ 20.1, 20.2, and 21(P)) HB 366 Deshotel. Act 221.
Teachers. Repeals the Louisiana Education Quality Trust Fund, the Louisiana Quality Education Support Fund, and the Education Excellence Fund within the Millennium Trust. Monies from the repealed funds will combine with the state general fund to pay down the unfunded accrued liability of the Teachers’ Retirement System. (Amends Art. VII, § 10.8(A)(1), (2), and (4), (B), and (C)(1); adds Art. VII, § 10.17; Repeals Art. VII, §§ 10(F)(4)(d), 10.1, 10.8(A)(3) and (C)(3), and 10.16(A)(9)) HB 473 Emerson. Act 222.
Civil service. Allows the legislature to remove or add officers, positions, and employees to the unclassified civil service. (Amends Const. Art. X, Sec. 2(B)) SB 8 Morris. Act 223.
Schools. Grants the St. George Community School System in East Baton Rouge Parish the same authority given to parishes for operating a school system. (Amends Const. Art. VIII, § 13(D)(1)) SB 25 Edmonds. Act 218.
November 3, 2026
Tax. Increases the income threshold for purposes of qualifying for the special property tax assessment level from $100,000 to $150,000 to be adjusted annually for inflation. (Amends Const. Art. VII, § 18(G)(1)(a)(ii)) HB 300 Mack. Act 220.
