Louisiana Family Forum Recommendations on the
Criminal Justice Reinvestment Bills
After much deliberation, the Criminal Justice Reinvestment Legislative Package is now focused on nonviolent
offenders. Friendly amendments have been accepted and the package is now in line with LFF’s position
from the beginning. The bills focus on nonviolent offenders and promote re-entry and rehabilitation
opportunities. These Criminal Justice issues are complex, so technical amendments are likely needed as each
measure advances through the legislative process. After a year of challenging work on criminal justice reform,
it’s encouraging to say that agreement in principle has been reached on these bills. These proposals will provide
substantial savings to Louisiana taxpayers. LFF strongly supports reinvestment into re-entry, rehabilitation, and
victim programs.
LFF Supports:
Streamlines victim notification process.
View HB116
HB 680 Marino (D-Gretna)
Pause Child Support Duties
While Incarcerated
Judges directed to consider incarceration when setting the
amount of child support.
View HB680
HB 681 Moreno (D-New Orleans)
Expand SNAP Benefits
Eliminates restrictions on SNAP benefits within first year of
release for drug convictions.
View HB681
HB 519 Emerson (R-Lafayette)
Earn Occupational License
Provides opportunity for qualified former inmates re-entering
society to obtain full occupational licenses.
View HB519
HB 116 Dwight (R-Lake Charles)
Victim Notification
HB 489 Leger (D-New Orleans)
Reinvest Correctional Savings
Collects data to monitor reform outcomes/Reinvests millions into View HB489
research-based programs that reduce recidivism and support
victims – (Amend to reinvest additional savings to include
victims’ reconciliation and restitution).
HB 249 Magee (R-Houma)
Criminal Justice Obligations
Costs and Fees – Would consider ability to pay criminal justice
obligations and modify penalties for non-payment.
View HB249
LFF Supports As Amended:
SB 220 Alario (R-Westwego
Re-work Felony Class System
Sentencing revisions. The focus is on nonviolent offenses.
Penalties are modified according to the severity of the crime.
Minimum and maximum sentences lowered for a list of
nonviolent, non-sex based offenders.
SB 221 Alario (R-Westwego)
Habitual Offender Penalties
Prospectively amends sentencing enhancements based
on previous offenses. Judges will have discretion to avoid
excessive sentences. Law will focus on more serious crimes
by reducing the time that must pass before an offense can be
“cleansed” from a person’s record.
The focus is on nonviolent offenders. Parole is not guaranteed,
simply reviewable. This bill does the following: strengthens
probation and parole supervision to reduce recidivism;
streamlines the parole board’s caseload; creates incentives
to encourage positive behavior and rehabilitation; expands
eligibility for alternatives to incarceration; and increases the
availability of drug court and or substance abuse treatment.
SB 139 Martiny (R-Metairie)
Probation & Parole Revisions
SB 16 Claitor (R-Baton Rouge)
Juvenile Life Without Parole
Provides juveniles convicted of 2nd degree murder an
opportunity for parole consideration after serving 25 years in
prison. A life sentence without parole still applies to 1st degree
murder.
View SB220
View SB221
View SB139
View SB16