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LouisianaSB 462026 Regular SessionSenate

CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Creates the crime of unlawful operation of a group home. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

Sponsored By: Mike Reese (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Administration of Criminal JusticeJudiciary C

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Criminal penalties for unlicensed group-home operators

Beginning August 1, 2026, Louisiana makes operating an unlicensed group home a crime for any person or entity. An operator is someone who owns or manages the home. The rule covers homes without a state or local license or permit that house at least two unrelated residents. Residents must receive help with daily living, and the operator must control residents or their assets. Unrelated means not related by blood, marriage, or adoption. Control is established when an operator or affiliate holds power of attorney over a resident’s assets or receives government benefits for them. Acting as a resident’s responsible representative or representative payee also establishes control. Affiliates include people or entities contracted with, employed by, or working with the operator. HUD rental payments and lease security deposits do not count as assets. When conditions would not cause unjustifiable pain or suffering, penalties are up to $1,000, six months in jail, or both. When conditions likely cause or actually cause unjustifiable pain, malnourishment, or suffering, penalties rise. They reach $10,000, 10 years in prison with or without hard labor, or both. At least one year must be served without parole, probation, or a suspended sentence. If conditions contribute to a resident’s death, the penalty is five to 40 years in prison at hard labor. At least three years must be served without probation or a suspended sentence. This law creates criminal penalties, not a new licensing system.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mike Reese

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Alonzo L. Knox

    Democratic • House

  • Blake Miguez

    Republican • Senate

  • Caleb Kleinpeter

    Republican • Senate

  • Heather Cloud

    Republican • Senate

  • John C. "Jay" Morris

    Republican • Senate

  • Mark Abraham

    Republican • Senate

  • Regina Barrow

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 145 • No: 0

House vote • 5/7/2026

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

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote • 4/28/2026

Reported favorably

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/17/2026

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 201.

    5/14/2026Senate

  2. Effective date 8/1/2026.

    5/14/2026Senate

  3. Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate.

    5/13/2026Senate

  4. Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/12/2026Senate

  5. Signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/12/2026House

  6. Received from the House without amendments.

    5/11/2026Senate

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

    5/7/2026House

  8. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/07/2026.

    5/6/2026House

  9. Read by title, passed to 3rd reading.

    5/5/2026House

  10. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

    4/29/2026House

  11. Reported favorably (11-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    4/28/2026House

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

    3/23/2026House

  13. Received in the House from the Senate, read by title, lies over under the rules.

    3/18/2026House

  14. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    3/17/2026Senate

  15. Read by title. Ordered engrossed and passed to third reading and final passage.

    3/11/2026Senate

  16. Reported favorably.

    3/10/2026Senate

  17. Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.

    3/9/2026Senate

  18. Prefiled and under the rules provisionally referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.

    2/12/2026Senate

Bill Text

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