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LouisianaHB 7722026 Regular SessionHouse

BAIL: Provides relative to notice for warrants for arrest

Sponsored By: Chasity Martinez (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Judiciary CAdministration of Criminal Justice

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Deadlines limit claims against bail guarantors

After a missed court appearance, Louisiana prosecutors can seek bond forfeiture only after the specified 180-day surrender period passes. That period starts when the clerk signs the certificate showing warrant notice was sent; surrender or constructive surrender blocks this filing path. Prosecutors must file within five years after warrant notice is sent, and no competing time limit applies. For warrants issued before August 1, 2024, the filing deadline is August 1, 2028. Once the applicable deadline passes, the state loses its right to file and the surety’s bail obligations end.

Missed court triggers warrants and notice protections

When a properly notified Louisiana defendant misses a required court appearance, the court immediately issues an arrest warrant. The clerk must notify the prosecutor, defendant, and any personal surety. Notice to the commercial surety and bail agent must be sent electronically or by certified mail, return receipt requested. That notice must go to the provided addresses within 60 days of the missed appearance. Missing that deadline releases the commercial surety from all obligations under the bail agreement.

New contact rules for bail signers

Louisiana defendants and personal sureties—people who guarantee bail—must provide a service address, any different mailing address, and their Social Security number’s last four digits. Commercial sureties must list valid mailing and email addresses on both the power of attorney and appearance bond. Bail agents must list their mailing address on the appearance bond. Missing or invalid information alone cannot prevent or overturn a bond forfeiture judgment. A defendant and lawyer can jointly file an affidavit asking the court to approve the lawyer as the notice agent.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Chasity Martinez

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 240 • No: 0

House vote • 5/26/2026

Read by title, roll called, yeas 99, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.

Yes: 99 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/18/2026

Rules suspended. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 4/27/2026

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 97, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote • 4/14/2026

Reported favorably

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 672.

    6/2/2026House

  2. Effective date: 08/01/2026.

    6/2/2026House

  3. Sent to the Governor for executive approval.

    5/28/2026House

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

    5/27/2026House

  5. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/27/2026Senate

  6. Read by title, roll called, yeas 99, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.

    5/26/2026House

  7. Scheduled for concurrence on 05/26/2026.

    5/25/2026House

  8. Received from the Senate with amendments.

    5/19/2026House

  9. Rules suspended. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    5/18/2026Senate

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

    5/7/2026Senate

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

    5/6/2026Senate

  12. Rules suspended. Reported favorably.

    5/5/2026Senate

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

    4/29/2026Senate

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

    4/28/2026Senate

  15. Called from the calendar.

    4/27/2026House

  16. Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 97, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

    4/27/2026House

  17. Notice given.

    4/22/2026House

  18. Scheduled for floor debate on 04/27/2026.

    4/22/2026House

  19. Read by title, returned to the calendar.

    4/21/2026House

  20. Scheduled for floor debate on 04/21/2026.

    4/20/2026House

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

    4/15/2026House

  22. Reported favorably (10-0).

    4/14/2026House

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

    3/9/2026House

  24. Prefiled.

    2/27/2026House

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

    2/27/2026House

Bill Text

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