[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6269692,"mediaKeyId","3040851-7f86de9ddffb4d20c0ddcf103cf76aa5","parentId",3040851,"title","Committee approves Landry-backed bill to create victim‑notification system tied to statewide records projects","audioSeconds",1018,"startMs",5653000,"endMs",6671000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040851-7f86de9ddffb4d20c0ddcf103cf76aa5&start=5653&end=6671","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040851-7f86de9ddffb4d20c0ddcf103cf76aa5/thumbnail_5653000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6269692/Louisiana/Committee-approves-Landry-backed-bill-to-create-victimnotification-system-tied-to-statewide-records-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269692-146f54eced520f226a54013dc799b8db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162746&Signature=OPXCT4W6mrasUNcGZBnaYv3ED2HNHN6LS6m-fBqN8pAn~LoxsZF5g7SUnyXiPOX5~rvTuc7RYHDj2768XxR4EcfVgEl5czQbzXXuE-TAUFFBiwvRqVp~2cuF3dSAMs7ojnHo4SVDWuHuP6dNDJxFdv8lKuweYmuyONYhd30cXlxAJm4KQisgUHND5Z2P6To30VcRks21qVASS~CYeg7Q8fnd0P8UQ4HYRbqqpAmEGVmXgorrxpzenPWuSbSQc6fLvCSJ3h0tnk6kyrabHyYxgyop~mZ4fsqN0WaMU2DbgDab75PHiBOCPVDhIgmZxWv8WUvymVuglA7mjKYoxsz1bA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-04-16T00:00:00Z","article","The House Committee on Criminal Justice on April 16 reported House Bill 479 favorably, a measure to improve victim and witness notification by building a centralized electronic notification system.

Representative Jeff Landry introduced HB 479 as a straightforward victims’ rights and notification bill designed to inform victims and witnesses of case events such as releases, court dates and case dispositions. Landry said the goal is to use existing technology and system connections so victims can receive timely updates and access victim‑services resources in a centralized location.

Christopher Walters, deputy executive counsel for Governor Jeff Landry, told the committee the governor’s office supports the bill and described efforts to use ICGIS projects and other interagency connections to create a comprehensive victim‑services system that follows a case from initial incident through prosecution and any period of incarceration and release.

Committee members asked technical questions about how data would be entered and updated and how confidentiality would be protected. Walters said law enforcement could enter victim contact information at the scene or victims could register themselves through a secure portal or QR code; he said existing clerk-of-court tools (eclerksla.com) provide a model for automated notification when docket activity is entered.

Jill Dennis of the Louisiana Victim Action Network spoke in support and urged the committee to pass the bill so victims receive timely information about court dates, releases or other events. Supporters including district attorneys and law-enforcement groups filed cards in support; one red card in opposition was filed but did not present testimony.

Vice Chair Vanessa LaFleur moved favorably; no objections were recorded and the committee reported the bill favorably. Landry said he expects minor technical cleanup amendments and plans to offer them on the floor.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Criminal Justice Apr 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 479, a measure to create a centralized victim‑notification system that builds on statewide records projects, was reported favorably by the House Committee on Criminal Justice.","taxTitle","Administration of Criminal Justice, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Louisiana","taxId",20598,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6269697,"Committee advances bill to add juvenile records to statewide criminal‑justice management system; opponents warn confidentiality risks",1116,2263000,3379000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040851-7f86de9ddffb4d20c0ddcf103cf76aa5&start=2263&end=3379","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040851-7f86de9ddffb4d20c0ddcf103cf76aa5/thumbnail_2263000.jpg","/articles/6269697/Louisiana/Committee-advances-bill-to-add-juvenile-records-to-statewide-criminaljustice-management-system-opponents-warn-confidentiality-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269697-4be3b00643469e3dfbbaa490959a8676/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162746&Signature=LwzFoMZHsD8QBWTg41kSKA~e6T7jR9t8kdMqMNVIbcKL4TyidcKm9Q5QIxP1~WPIk1kF9EweKzmC5Fhi~gsbmXZ72nFScmur1sCQRrT1Clsj6idDEyPhBqBin63FegOwgg1au~AerRm-L3k8Y1XvIYyKnDSqwJvMLEsYQIaXihUc~hp0t7DaSWHM6-a0Dx005SwbLS-FTXbniXbrwHfZ1dzXkuEBZa05FkAwm5Gphzo6fuaBMU5L-0XlK83dbN7gn3PPDR4z0hqJa-EhjL8rDZQr-29o8~nLUiYZM7RvoxLCpONhac~54DYSmiyiE-M3xbI1Ji--KGWHN-xKWkFs~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Criminal Justice reported House Bill 445 favorably on April 16 after an extended public comment period in which advocates, defense attorneys and civil-rights groups strongly opposed the measure.

Chairwoman Debbie Villio said the bill is not a disclosure bill and would allow creation of a juvenile component of the statewide Integrated Criminal Justice Management System (ICGIS) to make juvenile records accessible to justice-system stakeholders who need them to make decisions. Villio told the committee that a single line in law that remained after a 2017 change prompted the need for express statutory authority to gather juvenile records into an electronic system.

Opponents in a long public-comment period said the bill threatens juvenile confidentiality and could lead to juvenile information being treated as adult criminal records. Speakers included Reverend Alexis Anderson (East Baton Rouge Parish Prison Reform Coalition), Katie Hunter Lowery of the Vera Institute, Lauren Hall and Ty(e) Davis of the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights, Chandra Shea Foster of the Southern Poverty Law Center, Michael Cahoon of the Promise of Justice Initiative, Cree Matlock of the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice and others. Testimony emphasized that juvenile records can include sensitive health and education data, that many juveniles who enter the system are never adjudicated delinquent, and that making juvenile records interoperable with adult systems risks lifelong collateral consequences for young people.

Supporters and several committee members said the changes are limited to gathering records in one electronic management system and do not alter who can access juvenile records under existing law. Representative Tony Bacala, a committee member and participant on the statewide board working on the system, said the purpose is operational: to make information available to judges, prosecutors and corrections staff who need a juvenile’s history to place and treat someone appropriately.

Committee Vice Chair Vanessa LaFleur moved favorably. Representative Knox objected; the roll call recorded 9 yes and 3 no votes (Representative Knox, Representative LaFleur and Representative Walters cast recorded no votes). The committee reported the bill favorably.

Opponents urged the committee to add explicit guardrails — for example, definitions of “stakeholders,” limits on school or public access, correction procedures for data errors, and explicit separation of juvenile and adult records in the system. Supporters said Judge Scott Slagle and ICGIS staff are working on technical limits and that the system is intended to help courts and practitioners make better decisions with fuller information rather than expand public disclosure.","House Bill 445, authorizing the creation of a juvenile component within Louisiana’s Integrated Criminal Justice Management System, was reported favorably by the House Committee on Criminal Justice after extensive public testimony raising confidentiality concerns.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6269702,"Panel backs cleanup to probation revocation rules, exempts specialty courts from automatic revocation",842,1389000,2231000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040851-7f86de9ddffb4d20c0ddcf103cf76aa5&start=1389&end=2231","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040851-7f86de9ddffb4d20c0ddcf103cf76aa5/thumbnail_1389000.jpg","/articles/6269702/Louisiana/Panel-backs-cleanup-to-probation-revocation-rules-exempts-specialty-courts-from-automatic-revocation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269702-45b317099f358522cd93929ed54f6f08/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162746&Signature=T1YMsOX69VcUXqbGsQ4Ng3AF4uNjqaaqZ-lqmb3h2KK2Yo-0xNDPu59dCAXVhOe1q-Vz3o1vbTbXiG8brY5rnh2HiRa-OgrjiQRUuS~wr~prULPxfGiGLRG28mlq9Jt9IDeuBd3pu9dOg1t14~K9bXh8EWvu-0hQiXz-w4sEjxkaF0goZB9MoGjrhud8f9TSKkzo54SWiPv3ZMsDFwpdkwKiLRyIAHCEv-NVsgoR0Q8eo0k3HOuuxtL73aYrwFHx9VWXL3uNSEkFM4TwBKW5Pv5UbzdKngtFm2uZtUUomONhfV0Wtm3PHX8MBwI~dMhESfNQ7sny5~64Lt0PtnqJIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Criminal Justice reported House Bill 214 favorably on April 16 after debate over statutory cleanup to probation revocation rules.

Chairwoman Debbie Villio explained HB 214 corrects a drafting oversight after a prior repeal of “street credit” and removes references that could be read to allow good‑time or street credit while a defendant is on probation. She told members the bill “mandates the revocation of a felony probation when the defendant subsequently commits and is convicted of a felony while on probation” while removing the ability to revoke felony probation for the commission of a misdemeanor.

Villio also said the bill exempts a defendant participating in a drug or specialty court from mandatory revocation of a felony probation unless the participant fails to complete the court-ordered program.

Opponents argued the measure removes judicial discretion and could lengthen effective punishment if time already served on probation is not credited when a revocation occurs. Bruce Riley of the public testified in opposition, saying removal of credit for time served could produce sentences longer than courts originally imposed and could harm people seeking help in drug-treatment courts.

Supporters from the prosecutorial and law-enforcement community — including district attorneys and the Louisiana Sheriffs Association — filed green cards and many did not wish to speak. Chair Villio said the bill is intended to reflect the committee’s original intent from last year and to allow judges discretion for technical violations while removing certain automatic-credit rules.

Representative Bakala moved to report the bill favorably. Representative Walters objected, and the committee called the roll. The chair recorded the final tally as 10 yeas and 1 nay; Representative Walters cast the lone recorded no vote. The bill will be reported to the next stage of the House process.","House Bill 214, a tidy-up measure addressing probation revocation and the statutory removal of 'street credit,' was reported favorably by the House Committee on Criminal Justice after debate about judicial discretion and drug‑court participants.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6269706,"Committee advances bill clarifying parole eligibility and 'good time' rules",643,725000,1368000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040851-7f86de9ddffb4d20c0ddcf103cf76aa5&start=725&end=1368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040851-7f86de9ddffb4d20c0ddcf103cf76aa5/thumbnail_725000.jpg","/articles/6269706/Louisiana/Committee-advances-bill-clarifying-parole-eligibility-and-good-time-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269706-2f09835ecdc25af6fe976da2a66cfc3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162746&Signature=fsVSf2LQ04n6bl3-mM5rAnX8ntOMulRAnhBdhWbLTbnwR3pzrTF5xJRGLvgOr9Yo6oh5qoKgWMBrXFBl95XqEUvmK2l9bj~81YYkyBkLqox5Co2P-2Q4yJNr15asiQUAZYRy79Lhd9R1DzOyKmnJuGOu8VDzWslNtHaVm1ltW4Lxdwca1uvkYcPhucuSOOzwzCTd9J9QCSlSgZWD1rCBfLzYsCPHJbfG-sl3qMuu22xISccMpEKUicz-Dg8z6-WVdALTeQGuMZ3ooEcKrRCQRXCvQb6xw6Q~B-rDDhGyivefDpNKsWdzDFPkPAdsGcZ5GDgNJz0sfMJqgqtahnSlOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Criminal Justice on April 16 reported House Bill 208 favorably. Chairwoman Debbie Villio said the bill provides cleanup language to clarify how recently enacted parole reforms apply to various groups of offenders.

Villio told the committee HB 208 “is simply a clean up bill from the crime session parole bill” and outlined three targeted clarifications: the application of “good time” only for offenses committed on or after Aug. 1, 2024; how split sentences should be served when good-time and probationary periods both apply; and that parole eligibility for those already in custody before Aug. 1, 2024 requires 36 consecutive months free of major disciplinary offenses, to conform with Act 11 (Senate Bill 5 from the 2024 crime session).

Representative Walters asked why the period had changed from 12 months to 36 months; Villio replied that Act 11 set the 36-month standard and the bill merely aligns statutory language for consistency. Villio and probation-and-parole staff worked on the language, she said, and emphasized the changes are clarifying rather than substantive.

Members from prosecutors and law-enforcement associations registered support, including the Louisiana Sheriffs Association and the District Attorneys Association. Opponents who filed red cards included Alex Moody of LIFT Louisiana and Peyton Rose Michel; Chiko Yancey spoke in opposition at the hearing, arguing the 36-month requirement would increase prison costs and objecting to added time before parole eligibility.

Rep. Wharton moved favorably; the committee reported the bill out with no recorded objections. Villio said the bill is prospective and not retroactive.

Key clarifications in committee discussion included (1) good-time entitlement applies to offenders whose offenses occurred on or after Aug. 1, 2024; (2) for split sentences the probationary period must be served before the unsupervised portion of any good-time release; and (3) for those eligible for parole under Act 11, an offender must be free of major disciplinary offenses for 36 months to be eligible for parole; committee members said the bill is intended to remove ambiguity in the statutes but not to change the substance of Act 11.","House Bill 208, offered by Chairwoman Debbie Villio, cleared committee after discussion clarifying that certain changes from the 2024 crime session are intended as non-retroactive, and that disciplinary-free time for parole eligibility is 36 months consistent with Act 11.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6269711,"Louisiana committee clears bill allowing firearm enhancements in plea deals",393,257000,650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040851-7f86de9ddffb4d20c0ddcf103cf76aa5&start=257&end=650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040851-7f86de9ddffb4d20c0ddcf103cf76aa5/thumbnail_257000.jpg","/articles/6269711/Louisiana/Louisiana-committee-clears-bill-allowing-firearm-enhancements-in-plea-deals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269711-8493e56b615f275364543d6aaba02ca5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162746&Signature=T4zPlVYfLs1Sz5q0LhR5Agcak29WbCAzdNz1b4VVItrjqKEKeIPpgCr0Q9IE5Ncw3YV-ViKmH-gz6S8PF9ELTP67Wn1kdDkel6BITF1Pc~2jcR4ruf8U8wRIetM~SOGwLN79gCLfT5mRVXF2vhb1VcDsEr5wAxIoQvHOmAoVSkIK5s~7i6OrA~T2U7wlhIAYh5-5ibmglztkPqZN~BrpGFbMV~Hd~zg4o7Okl5t8ovmNor3gZZsuhYKfWGT~FTeQnw94OORAnr0b4DQtUA8JK909zCthtkxrwTPQ7LyftdjkPWvdBhScdceSwvXX06O8csAjB7woS4NQyIAlYhdU9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House lawmakers on the Committee on Criminal Justice on April 16 voted to report House Bill 79 favorably, a bill that would permit defendants and prosecutors to include firearm-enhancement penalties in plea agreements if the defendant stipulates on the record.

Representative Tony Bacala, the bill’s author, told the committee the measure “is restricted and only has to do with plea agreements between defendants, where they accept the responsibility for their actions.” He said current law requires a district attorney to file a motion for a jury or court to consider enhanced firearm penalties, which has been read to exclude those enhancements from plea bargains.

Christopher Walters, deputy executive counsel for Governor Jeff Landry, told the committee the governor’s office supports HB 79. Walters said prosecutors around the state “found it somewhat unclear” whether enhancements could be included in pleas and that the bill “will simply provide a lot more clarity” to prosecutors and defendants.

Supporters who did not speak but filed support cards included the Louisiana Sheriffs Association and the Louisiana District Attorneys Association; one opponent, Chico Yancey of VOTE, filed a red card but did not present testimony.

Committee Vice Chair Vanessa LaFleur called for a motion; Representative Jeff Wiley moved to pass the instrument favorably and the motion carried by unanimous consent with no objections recorded.

The bill would allow defendants to agree, as part of a plea, that an applicable firearm-enhancement provision applies and that the enhanced penalty be imposed under the terms of the plea. Representative Bacala explained that some firearm enhancements carry minimum terms (for example, a two-year minimum when a firearm is used in commission of a felony) and that enhanced terms currently limit eligibility for probation, parole or suspension of sentence during the enhancement period.

The committee did not record a roll-call vote and asked that the bill be placed on the next level of committee processing.","The House Committee on Criminal Justice voted to report House Bill 79 favorably after lawmakers and the governor's office said the measure would clarify that firearm-enhancement penalties may be agreed to in plea agreements when defendants stipulate to the enhancement on the record.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves Landry-backed bill to create victim‑notification system tied to statewide records projects

Committee advances bill to add juvenile records to statewide criminal‑justice management system; opponents warn confidentiality risks

Panel backs cleanup to probation revocation rules, exempts specialty courts from automatic revocation

Committee advances bill clarifying parole eligibility and 'good time' rules

Louisiana committee clears bill allowing firearm enhancements in plea deals