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Committee adopts clearer ballot language for amendment to bar post‑conviction bail for certain offenders
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Summary
The House Civil Law Committee adopted amendment language and a 6.8a report for HB 51, a constitutional amendment that would prohibit post‑conviction bail for people convicted of aggravated offenses against minors, and the measure was passed out of committee with amendments.
The House Civil Law Committee on April 7 approved ballot language and reported favorably on House Bill 51, a constitutional amendment that would prohibit post‑conviction bail for people convicted of aggravated offenses against minors.
Representative Villio, sponsor of HB 51, told the committee the amendment would revise Article I, Section 18 to bar post‑conviction bail for defendants convicted of aggravated offenses against a minor child. The committee adopted amendment set 3,001 to simplify ballot language. Ms. Nguyen read the revised ballot question, which asks voters whether they support an amendment to prohibit a defendant from being released on any post‑conviction bail if the defendant is convicted of an aggravated offense against a minor child.
Ms. Alonzo presented the committee’s draft 6.8a report noting that the committee reviews constitutional amendments to ensure ballot language is simple, unbiased and phrased as a question. The report recommended the proposed November 3, 2026 election date.
There was no objection to adoption of the amendment or to reporting the bill; the chair declared HB 51 passed with amendments out of committee. Supporters listed on the record included the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, the Louisiana Sheriffs Association and associations of chiefs of police.
The committee’s action sends the revised constitutional amendment language to the next legislative step; the measure would still appear on the ballot only if it survives subsequent floor action and voter approval.
