Criminal Justice Committee advances package of bills on transfers, melatonin consent, drugs, drones and school threats

The House Criminal Justice Committee moved several criminal‑justice bills forward on March 24, reporting a package of measures to the House floor after presentations, amendments and limited recorded votes.

What passed or was reported favorably

- HB 957 (Rep. Carrier): Removes a 72‑hour court‑notification requirement for sheriff‑initiated prisoner transfers when an inmate is not under Department of Public Safety and Corrections sentence; the committee adopted an amendment to require notifying the prosecuting authority as well as the court and reported the bill favorably.

- HB 106 (Rep. Cox): Prohibits administration of nonprescription medication to children without parental consent. The committee debated an amendment to require "prior written consent." That written‑consent amendment failed on a roll call (yeas 5, nays 7). The bill, with other committee amendments (including language making the prohibition apply to “any person”), was reported favorably as amended.

- HB 111 (Rep. Mandy Landry): Adds an associate's degree to the list of educational achievements that can earn diminution of sentence credit. Department of Corrections counsel said the bill would add 90 days of credit on top of existing credits for bachelor’s and master’s degrees; the committee reported it favorably.

- HB 64 (Rep. Muscarello): Clarifies procedures for recalling warrants and requires immediate notice to law‑enforcement agencies when a magistrate recalls a warrant; the committee adopted amendments and reported the bill favorably.

- HB 53 (Rep. Fontenot): Adds certain illegal‑gambling statutes to the RICO predicate list so prosecutors can pursue enterprise‑level gambling prosecutions; the Gaming Division described recent large illegal gambling operations that motivated the change. The measure was reported favorably.

- HB 152 (Rep. Mac): Annual update to the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law to mirror federal scheduling actions; the State Police and Board of Pharmacy identified 13 opioid entries to add to Schedule I. Reported favorably.

- HB 137 (Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson): Tightens penalties for threats against schools, adds minimum sentences and creates a civil component allowing courts to assess certain false‑alarm costs against responsible parties. Committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably.

- HB 57 (Chair Villio): Clarifies that courts may consider criminal histories in temporary‑restraining‑order review and must allow response/challenge; reported favorably.

- HB 337 (Rep. Begay): Increases the number of charity bingo special sessions nonprofits may hold from two to four per year; supporters emphasized the fundraising benefit for senior services and veterans. Reported favorably.

- HB 100 (Rep. McMakin): Original felony‑speeding language was replaced by a substitute making operation at or above 100 mph constitute reckless operation (misdemeanor); substitute adopted and bill reported.

- HB 155 (Rep. McMakin): Expands prohibited areas for unmanned aircraft (drone) use on Capitol grounds; committee adopted an amendment enumerating specific buildings and curtilage and reported the bill favorably as amended.

Votes and motions at a glance

- Written‑consent amendment to HB 106: Roll call recorded yeas 5, nays 7 — amendment failed (vote recorded at committee roll call). (SEG 415–SEG 450)

- Most final dispositions were reported favorably by voice/consent or with substitute language; where recorded roll calls occurred the committee transcript shows counts or lists of voting members in the record.

Key testimony and notes

- Chief Brett Lawson (Gretna Police Department) described a Jefferson Parish case in which an unauthorized melatonin dose was administered to a 1‑year‑old, prompting HB 106. Lawson said melatonin is treated as a dietary supplement and testing would not be conclusive in that case. (Chief Brett Lawson)

- Jonathan Vining (DOC) explained HB 111’s sentence‑credit calculations and assured members programs are monitored to prevent diploma‑mill abuses.

- Dawn Hymel, Director of the Gaming Division, cited a recent state‑police investigation of an inmate‑operated illegal sports‑gambling ring as an example for HB 53.

What’s next

Most bills were reported favorably and will be scheduled for consideration by the full House. Sponsors and committee staff indicated they will continue to refine statutory language for bills where members requested clarifications (for example, HB 102’s scope and HB 106 consent language).