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LouisianaHB 10642026 Regular SessionHouse

COURTS: Provides relative to a domestic violence intervention court pilot program in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

Sponsored By: Barbara Reich Freiberg (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Judiciary BJudiciary

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More support for domestic violence victims

The Nineteenth Judicial District Court's two-year pilot prioritizes victim safety and offers voluntary services to victims connected to the program. Victims do not have to participate, and these services add to—not replace—their existing legal rights. Participating victims receive an advocate before the defendant enters, plus notices about court proceedings and the defendant's compliance. The advocate helps with services and representation, and attends proceedings when the victim cannot. Services include safety planning, community referrals, shelter information, and trauma-informed support. Restitution and permission to request GPS monitoring of the defendant are available when applicable.

Domestic abuse defendants get supervised treatment

The law creates a two-year Domestic Violence Intervention Court pilot in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court. It serves people convicted of domestic abuse-related offenses who are assessed as at risk of reoffending using validated tools. Joining is voluntary, and the presiding judge makes the final eligibility decision. Defendants can consult a lawyer before pleading guilty and being sentenced to the program. Participation becomes an added probation condition: participants must attend regularly, follow individual case plans, and face graduated sanctions and rewards. Services include evidence-based domestic abuse treatment using cognitive behavioral therapy and the STOP mindfulness and behavior-change technique. Participants also get clinical assessments, treatment plans, substance use and mental health screening and referrals, and case management. The program provides job-readiness help and housing and transportation assistance. A coordinated team includes the judge, prosecutor, public defender, probation officer, clinical provider, coordinator, case manager, and victim advocate. The court tracks repeat offenses, completion, protective-order compliance, and victim safety; an independent evaluator conducts annual and final participant evaluations. The court reports to the legislature and Louisiana Supreme Court when the pilot ends, with results informing possible statewide expansion. The pilot ends after two years unless lawmakers extend it.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Barbara Reich Freiberg

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Aimee Adatto Freeman

    Democratic • House

  • C. Denise Marcelle

    Democratic • House

  • Joy Walters

    Democratic • House

  • Kyle M. Green Jr.

    Democratic • House

  • Tehmi Jahi Chassion

    Democratic • House

  • Terry Landry Jr.

    Democratic • House

  • Vanessa Caston LaFleur

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 138 • No: 11

Senate vote • 5/27/2026

Read by title, passed by a vote of 33 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 5/6/2026

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 88, nays 11. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 88 • No: 11

House vote • 4/29/2026

Reported favorably

Yes: 17 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 696.

    6/1/2026House

  2. Effective date: 08/01/2026.

    6/1/2026House

  3. Sent to the Governor for executive approval.

    5/29/2026House

  4. Received from the Senate without amendments.

    5/28/2026House

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

    5/28/2026House

  6. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/28/2026Senate

  7. Read by title, passed by a vote of 33 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    5/27/2026Senate

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

    5/26/2026Senate

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

    5/25/2026Senate

  10. Reported favorably.

    5/21/2026Senate

  11. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary B.

    5/11/2026Senate

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

    5/7/2026Senate

  13. Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 88, nays 11. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

    5/6/2026House

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

    5/5/2026House

  15. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/06/2026.

    5/5/2026House

  16. Reported favorably (17-0).

    4/29/2026House

  17. Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    3/31/2026House

  18. Read by title. Lies over under the rules.

    3/30/2026House

Bill Text

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