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Judiciary B advances background‑check and gaming measures, including expungement‑access changes
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Summary
The committee moved four bills favorable (SB 288, SB 339, SB 325, SB 141). SB 288 (criminal‑history statutes/expungement access) was amended to restore fingerprinting language and drew a late opposition from the Justice & Accountability Center urging clearer limits on access to expunged records.
Senate Judiciary B moved several bills March 24 aimed at criminal‑history record procedures and gaming‑related background checks, adopting amendments where necessary and reporting each measure favorable with no recorded objections.
SB 288, carried for the Louisiana State Police, updates criminal‑history statutes and clarifies which entities may receive criminal history information. State Police witnesses said the bill is largely cleanup language to keep the state’s access and operations aligned with current needs. Committee staff offered and the committee adopted an amendment (Amendment 11 81) reinstating language that applicants shall be fingerprinted or submit fingerprints to the state police bureau, clarifying who is responsible for the fingerprint based checks. Senator McMath moved SB 288 favorable and the motion carried with no objection.
Representatives of the Justice and Accountability Center later testified in opposition to SB 288 as amended. Taryn Branson, the center’s advocacy director, told the committee that current Louisiana law already excludes violent offenses and crimes against children from expungement and that SB 288 introduces "vague standards" that could allow access to expunged records without clear limits or oversight. "When rules are unclear, the system becomes unpredictable for courts, for employers and for people trying to simply move forward," Branson said; she asked for narrow definitions, strong oversight and consultation prior to floor consideration.
SB 339 was presented as a technical fix to align Louisiana statutes with FBI Criminal Justice Information Services standards to preserve federal access for gaming and related agencies during a grace period that expires March 1, 2027. Major Adam Albright and other State Police representatives said the bill does not change who must be fingerprinted but cleans statutory language; Senator McMath moved it favorable and the committee had no objection.
SB 325 would give the Gaming Control Board rule‑making authority to protect college and professional athletes from online harassment tied to betting activity. The sponsor cited NCAA and media data on abusive messages to athletes. The committee moved SB 325 favorable without objection.
Senate Bill 141 transfers oversight of the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board to the Louisiana Supreme Court from the governor’s office. Senator McMath presented the bill, Senator Talbot asked for background on the commission and the committee reported the bill favorably with no objections.
All four bills were advanced out of committee; where staff or members pledged further consultation (notably SB 288), sponsors said they would work with stakeholders before floor consideration.
