PRIA Logo™
LouisianaHB 1022026 Regular SessionHouse

CRIME: Creates the crime of second degree cruelty to the elderly and persons with infirmities (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

Sponsored By: Jeffrey "Jeff" Wiley (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Judiciary CAdministration of Criminal Justice

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Expanded murder rules for accused offenders

Louisiana expands the circumstances that support first-degree murder charges. These include an active lawful no-contact order, violations of specified bail, probation or parole restrictions, and prohibited firearm possession during firearm use. Another added circumstance requires a victim in a public place and intent to kill or cause great bodily harm. The offender must also knowingly risk death or great bodily harm to three or more people. Pointing and firing a gun at someone creates a presumption of that intent in first-degree murder cases. The same rule applies to second-degree murder cases based on intent, and defendants can challenge the presumption.

New penalties for serious elder abuse

Louisiana creates second-degree cruelty for intentional or criminally negligent mistreatment or neglect that causes serious bodily injury. It covers people age 60 or older and adults with disabilities or infirmities, including those in residential care. Anyone can commit the crime, including family caregivers and care facilities temporarily or permanently responsible for care. The offense is a crime of violence and carries up to 40 years in prison at hard labor. Recognized spiritual healing instead of medical treatment does not, by itself, establish mistreatment or neglect; an affirmative defense applies. A killing during this crime, or an attempt, can support first-degree murder charges with intent to kill or cause great bodily harm. It can support second-degree murder charges without that intent.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jeffrey "Jeff" Wiley

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Gerald "Beau" Beaullieu IV

    Republican • House

  • Beth Anne Billings

    Republican • House

  • Chad Michael Boyer

    Republican • House

  • Roy Daryl Adams

    Democratic • House

  • Doyle Boudreaux

    Republican • House

  • Emily Chenevert

    Republican • House

  • Jacob Braud

    Republican • House

  • Ken Brass

    Democratic • House

  • Kim Carver

    Republican • House

  • Michael Robert Bayham Jr.

    Republican • House

  • R. Dewith Carrier

    Republican • House

  • Reese "Skip" Broussard

    Republican • House

  • Rhonda Gaye Butler

    Republican • House

  • Ryan Bourriaque

    Republican • House

  • Stephanie H. Berault

    Republican • House

  • Tehmi Jahi Chassion

    Democratic • House

  • Tony Bacala

    Republican • House

  • Vincent E. Cox III

    Republican • House

  • Wilford Carter Sr.

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 225 • No: 10

House vote • 5/11/2026

Read by title, roll called, yeas 83, nays 10, Senate amendments concurred in.

Yes: 83 • No: 10

Senate vote • 5/5/2026

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 35 • No: 0

House vote • 3/30/2026

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 95, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 95 • No: 0

House vote • 3/24/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 120.

    5/15/2026House

  2. Effective date: 08/01/2026.

    5/15/2026House

  3. Sent to the Governor for executive approval.

    5/13/2026House

  4. Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/12/2026House

  5. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/12/2026Senate

  6. Read by title, roll called, yeas 83, nays 10, Senate amendments concurred in.

    5/11/2026House

  7. Scheduled for concurrence on 05/11/2026.

    5/7/2026House

  8. Received from the Senate with amendments.

    5/6/2026House

  9. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    5/5/2026Senate

  10. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.

    4/27/2026Senate

  11. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    4/22/2026Senate

  12. Reported favorably.

    4/21/2026Senate

  13. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.

    3/31/2026Senate

  14. Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 95, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

    3/30/2026House

  15. Received in the Senate. Rules suspended. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

    3/30/2026Senate

  16. Scheduled for floor debate on 03/30/2026.

    3/26/2026House

  17. Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.

    3/25/2026House

  18. Reported with amendments (12-0).

    3/24/2026House

  19. Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

    3/9/2026House

  20. First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/13/2026.

    2/13/2026House

  21. Prefiled.

    2/9/2026House

  22. Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

    2/9/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation