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LouisianaSB 932026 Regular SessionSenate

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Establishes minimum bond amounts for certain offenses. (8/1/26)

Sponsored By: Beth Mizell (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Administration of Criminal JusticeJudiciary C

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6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 2 mixed.

Convicted defendants face tighter bail limits

Beginning August 1, 2026, bail after conviction is barred when proof shows substantial flight risk or imminent danger. A court finding that the person is likely to commit more crimes counts as evidence of danger. Courts presume danger and substantial flight risk after sex or violent convictions punishable by at least 25 years. The presumption also covers the law's combined maximum-sentence rules involving sex or violent offenses and habitual-offender charges. Defendants can present evidence to challenge the presumption.

Defendants face limits on repeat bail

Beginning August 1, 2026, repeat bail is barred in listed serious cases after a missed appearance with an outstanding warrant. The bar also applies when the earlier bail bond was revoked or forfeited. Covered charges include violent crimes carrying mandatory minimum prison terms, drug manufacture or possession with intent to distribute, firearm offenses, and sex offenses. The law also provides for new bonds after revocation or adjustment, including higher bail backed by a commercial surety.

Higher bail floors for child-abuse materials

Beginning August 1, 2026, Louisiana sets minimum bail of $50,000 for possessing child sexual abuse materials. The minimum for producing those materials is $100,000. These floors apply even in courts without bail schedules, and courts cannot reduce bail below a legal minimum. Courts can otherwise raise or lower bail for good cause, with a new bond replacing the earlier bond's liability. The minimum amounts are not necessarily what defendants pay out of pocket.

New felony arrests trigger bail loss

Beginning August 1, 2026, defendants on bail for violent, sex, or firearm offenses lose bail after an unrelated felony arrest. The new felony must be outside the same event or criminal episode. The court revokes bail pending a hearing, which either the state or defendant can request. Either party can ask a higher court to review the hearing decision. Before booking, arresting agencies must check for bail in these cases and give courts that information and updated criminal histories.

Courts weigh more information for bail

Beginning August 1, 2026, courts setting bail must weigh offense seriousness, violence, sex offenses, drugs, weapons, and likely further crimes. Courts must also consider available resources to enforce safety and court-appearance conditions, and the form of bail. Courts may request records of pending juvenile cases and juvenile acts already decided by a court. Juvenile courts must email the records within 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. The requesting court must issue an order protecting the records from people outside the relevant proceedings.

Victims gain protection through bail restrictions

Beginning August 1, 2026, courts must impose no-contact bail rules on defendants accused of violent crimes. These rules protect victims, their households, schools, and workplaces, and bar communication with victims and their immediate families. Communication requires a request from the victim or family member and a court order allowing it. Defendants already equipped with location-monitoring devices must follow applicable geographic restrictions, monitoring rules, and enforcement requirements.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Beth Mizell

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • John C. "Jay" Morris

    Republican • Senate

  • Mark Abraham

    Republican • Senate

  • Regina Barrow

    Democratic • Senate

  • Valarie Hodges

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 146 • No: 0

House vote • 5/11/2026

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 96, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 96 • No: 0

House vote • 4/29/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/30/2026

Read by title, passed by a vote of 38 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 38 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 354.

    5/22/2026Senate

  2. Effective date 8/1/2026.

    5/22/2026Senate

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

    5/20/2026Senate

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

    5/19/2026Senate

  5. Signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/19/2026House

  6. Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 96, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

    5/11/2026House

  7. Received from the House with amendments.

    5/11/2026Senate

  8. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/11/2026.

    5/7/2026House

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

    5/6/2026House

  10. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

    5/5/2026House

  11. Reported with amendments (12-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    4/29/2026House

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

    4/1/2026House

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

    3/31/2026House

  14. Read by title, passed by a vote of 38 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    3/30/2026Senate

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

    3/25/2026Senate

  16. Reported favorably.

    3/24/2026Senate

  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.

    2/20/2026Senate

Bill Text

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