Video & Transcript : 'forensic expert' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session - part 2 May 19th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I know we've had people that are, you know, working in forensics or other groups, but we'll figure that
- We also expanded the option to look at at other adjacent law enforcement positions, like forensic scientists
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- At the very least, this task force should include more people from the defense bar and experts on racial
- At the very least, this task force should include more people from the defense bar and experts on racial
- I'm a forensic nurse and a mandated reporter, and have been for the last 20 years.
- Warburton, on the Care Act Working Group, advises jail inmate health experts to file CARE petitions for
- Warburton on the Care Act Working Group advises jail inmate health experts to file care petitions for
Committee:
House Public Safety
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on HF2432 5/16/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, forensic exam rate increase from $136 per hour to $165.
- Uh<00:13:28.959><c> forensic</c><00:13:29.440><c> exam</c><00:13:29.839><c> rate</c><00:13:30.320><c>
- increase</c><00:13:31.120><c> from</c> Uh forensic exam rate increase from Uh forensic exam rate increase
- It provides a pay rate increase for forensic psychological examiners, an important step in addressing
- It provides a pay rate increase for<00:30:31.840><c> forensic</c><00:30:32.559><c> psychological</c><
Summary:
The conference committee met late on Friday evening to discuss the Public Safety and Judiciary budget agreement, beginning with a brief exchange among members about concerns that the executive branch had been delaying the committee’s work by waiting to approve legislative decisions. Members emphasized that the legislature should retain its independence while still allowing normal collaboration with the governor’s office. The committee then moved through several outstanding policy items and adopted them without opposition, including the A38 amendment addressing data-sharing concerns involving disability-related information, a study of firefighting services by the state fire marshal, and an A46 amendment governing access to unredacted portable recording system data in collision investigations, with guardrails on disclosure and use.
The committee next reviewed the spreadsheet and budget targets. Fiscal staff explained the judiciary side of the agreement, including funding for court operating costs, a one-time Justice Partner Access Program appropriation, forensic exam rate increases, guardian ad litem funding, public defense, human rights, the competency attainment board, the cannabis expungement board, and fee increases for civil filings and motions. On the public safety side, staff described the target as well as the discretionary items funded, including nonprofit security grants, BCA staffing changes, fire marshal initiatives, a 10-year arson statute of limitations, prosecutor training grants, legal representation for children, E911 funding for critical infrastructure, Philando Castile Training Fund support, corrections-related savings from the Stillwater phased closure and sentence-to-serve elimination, a mandatory minimums task force, a victims of crime account transfer, a decommissioning study, in-service use-of-force training, and extensions of several expiring appropriations. The committee also noted a correction to a spreadsheet label related to the Stillwater closure item.
After the spreadsheet walkthrough, the committee took testimony from Chief Justice Natalie Hudson and State Court Administrator Jeff Shorban on behalf of the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Hudson thanked the committee for its work and said the agreement covers some unavoidable costs, including insurance, lease expenses, forensic examiner pay, and the new access system, but argued it does not adequately address the judiciary’s most urgent problem: staffing and judicial compensation. She said court employees are leaving for better-paying jobs, judicial salaries are frozen for two years, and applicant pools for judgeships have declined, especially in greater Minnesota. She also said the judicial branch was not meaningfully consulted on the budget target and urged lawmakers to recognize the courts as a constitutional obligation rather than a discretionary program.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 3/20/25
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The governor's budget recommendations would add two attorneys general and one forensic accountant to
- The forensic accountant would assist us with the complicated nature of the evolving fraud schemes that
- 09:09.240><c> to</c><00:09:09.440><c> that</c><00:09:09.600><c> unit</c><00:09:10.240><c> the</c> forensic
- accountant to that unit the forensic accountant to that unit the forensic<00:09:10.800><c> accountant
- accountant would assist us with forensic accountant would assist us with the<00:09:12.240><c> complicated
Committee:
House State Government Finance and Policy
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- That was his own defense expert that examined him.
- And at that time, he had three experts that came in on his behalf.
- That was his own defense expert that examined him.
- And at that time, he had three experts that came in on his behalf.
- It is simply the best guess according to these experts in academia.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary C
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 137, which would strengthen penalties for knowingly making threats against schools, school activities, students, or school employees. The author said the bill responds to repeated false threats that disrupt schools, frighten families, and divert law enforcement, and it adds education and parental acknowledgment requirements. Members discussed possible juvenile consequences such as public service or physical work at schools, and the bill drew support from law enforcement, district attorneys, and Catholic bishops. It was reported favorably without objection.
House Bill 321 followed, addressing Louisiana’s Safe Harbor law by expressly exempting minors from prostitution offenses and treating them as trafficking victims rather than offenders. The author, clergy, trafficking advocates, and a survivor testified that children involved in commercial sex are typically coerced, groomed, or controlled by traffickers, often family members or caregivers, and should receive protection and services instead of arrest. Witnesses described statewide advocacy and crisis-response services created in 2022, and committee members asked about prosecution of perpetrators and the prevalence of trafficking in rural areas. The bill was reported favorably without objection.
The committee then approved House Bill 1246, a response to a fatal drunk-driving crash involving Jada Bright, which would allow law enforcement to keep intoxicated offenders in jail if they are not safe to release. An amendment was adopted to clean up the language, and the bill was reported favorably. House Bill 1104, creating a misdemeanor for possession of motor vehicle key-programming or emulating devices used to steal cars, also passed favorably with support from prosecutors and police. House Bill 552, a cleanup measure replacing references to intoxication with impairment in prior drug-related statutes, was reported favorably as well.
Finally, the committee took up House Bill 310, which would require random reassignment when a defendant waives a jury trial in districts with more than two judges, unless the prosecutor agrees otherwise. Supporters said it would prevent judge shopping and address concerns about unusually high acquittal rates before particular judges, while opponents argued it raises due process concerns and effectively lets prosecutors choose the judge. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably. The last major item was House Bill 1107, dealing with post-conviction death penalty cases involving claims of intellectual disability; the bill would set a 75 IQ threshold and create procedures for Atkins claims. Supporters said it would bring finality to long-pending capital cases and follow U.S. Supreme Court guidance, while opponents argued it would be unconstitutional under Atkins, Moore, and Hall because intellectual disability cannot be reduced to a single number. After extensive testimony and debate over amendments, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- In many cases, it's experts appointed by the court.
- That was his own defense expert that examined him.
- And at that time, he had three experts that came in on his behalf.
- That was his own defense expert that examined him.
- And at that time, he had three experts that came in on his behalf.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary C
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- [snorts] The DRRA in consultation with the DOE commissioner may require a financial or forensic audit
- 49.840><c> or</c> commissioner may require a financial or commissioner may require a financial or forensic
- </c> forensic audit to be done. forensic audit to be done.
- Authorizing the Department of Revenue to order a forensic audit, with consultation from the department
- We do get a lot of requests to do a forensic audit.
Committee:
Senate Education Finance
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/18/2026 - House Transportation & Infrastructure
Transcript Highlights:
- The Department of Forensics Study gets public safety forensics fund gets money from this.
- So, you know... ...the public safety forensics fund gets money from this.
Summary:
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee heard several transportation-related measures, with SB 1010 and SB 1552 held at the outset. SB 1024, dealing with licensing and registration rules for roadable aircraft, was discussed briefly; members raised questions about vehicle license tax revenue and the sponsor was absent, but the bill was still advanced on a do pass recommendation by a 3-2 vote. SB 1205, which creates statewide rules for motor vehicle booting on private property, received testimony from industry and Sen. Kavanagh in support and was approved 5-0. SB 1366, creating a study committee on public property towing and impound practices, also passed 5-0 after supporters described it as a bipartisan, data-gathering measure.
The committee then took up SB 1624 on photo enforcement violations. The bill would cap civil penalties at $75 and limit the use of photo enforcement violations for license, insurance, and court-record purposes, while an amendment added a class three misdemeanor for excessive speed and directed $15 of the penalty to the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund. The measure drew extensive debate, with supporters arguing it would simplify enforcement and keep penalties manageable, and opponents including insurers and local governments warning it would mask risk, reduce revenue for state and local funds, and interfere with school-zone safety. After adopting the amendment, the committee advanced the bill 4-2.
SB 1232, a technical bill concerning billboard placement near military airport and facility districts, was amended to clarify local approval and public hearing requirements and then passed unanimously. SCR 1004, the companion measure to a House resolution, would send to voters a proposal limiting photo enforcement unless a local government had a contract in place by December 31, 2026; after testimony describing it as a negotiated compromise that preserves local control, it passed 4-2. The committee also approved two memorials, SCM 1002 renaming a portion of SR 77 as the L.F. Quinn Memorial Highway and SCM 1006 renaming a portion of US 70 as the PFC Michael A. Nolene Memorial Highway, both by unanimous votes, and then adjourned.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Apr 8th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- that, well, it was a hearing, so I guess he, anyhow, he commented to the fact that they would use a forensic
- So that money, that's what it's there for, is to really offset the cost of hiring a forensic psychologist
- , which there aren't very many in North Dakota, but Forensic psychologists, which there aren't very many
Committee:
House Appropriations
Summary:
The committee began with roll call and a brief update on remaining work, then took up Senate Bill 2213, the “science of math” bill. Members clarified that the appropriation for the program was not included in the DPI budget and would remain attached to the policy bill for now. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a do pass recommendation, 21-2.
The committee next considered Senate Bills 2036 and 2037, both juvenile justice/Human Services bills involving mental health and criminal responsibility evaluations for minors. Testimony explained that the bills create new processes and require DHS to contract with specialized providers, with appropriations of $500,000 in 2036 and $300,000 in 2037. Members debated whether the funding should come from existing DHS resources or remain as separate appropriations, and whether the programs were one-time or ongoing. The committee adopted amendments on both bills and then recommended both do pass, with 2036 passing 14-6 and 2037 passing 17-4.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 2021, the Information Technology Department budget. Representative Bosch outlined major themes in the budget, including migration from PeopleSoft and the mainframe, onboarding/off-boarding automation, double-counting of IT spending, and the transition of education technology from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus. Members also discussed a study amendment related to a statewide enterprise resource planning system, and added language on grant management and compliance management. The committee adopted the amendments and gave the budget a do pass recommendation, 20-0-3.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2011, the Highway Patrol budget. Representative Pyle explained the House changes, including shifting some one-time costs to the motor carrier electronic permit fund, funding for body armor, breath tests, road course resurfacing, fleet costs, handgun replacement, and carryover authority for federal technology funds. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the budget 21-0-2. The committee then began Senate Bill 2399, a Human Services bill on Medicaid reimbursement for psychiatric residential treatment facilities, but deferred action after testimony from a facility representative and committee discussion about therapeutic leave days, reimbursement rates, and whether a cap on reimbursable days should be set in statute or rule. The chair said the committee would seek more information from DHS and take the bill up the next day.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 13, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- At a Florida Department of Children and Families state hospital, I served in a forensic admissions unit
- At a Florida Department of Children and Family State Hospital, I served in a forensic admissions unit
- They also recognize when a forensic psychiatric evaluation or complex medication regimen requires additional
Summary:
The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee heard and advanced several health care bills. HB 909, joining the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, was presented with a strike-all amendment and reported favorably as amended by a 13-0 vote. HB 911, the related public records exemption protecting certain biological information, was also adopted and reported favorably as amended by a 14-0 vote. CS for HB 597, allowing schools to procure and administer glucagon for students with diabetes under trained personnel, passed unanimously 14-0 after a technical amendment. HB 519, aligning state law with federal language on controlled substances administered by paramedics, passed as amended 14-0.
The committee then took up HB 919 on nursing education programs. Sponsor Rep. Overdorf argued the bill would create accountability for underperforming nursing schools by requiring remediation, tuition refunds in the lowest-performing programs, and public reporting of passage rates. Supporters said it would improve quality and protect students from debt without licensure success, while opponents from private nursing schools warned it could close programs and reduce nurse supply. After extensive debate, the bill was reported favorably 15-0.
HB 1553, which would require health care providers to submit identified uterine fibroid data so the Department of Health can implement the research database previously authorized by law, passed unanimously 15-0. The final bill, HB 883, would allow psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners to practice autonomously; supporters said it would expand access to mental health care, especially in rural and underserved areas, while opponents raised concerns about quality and physician oversight. After lengthy testimony and debate, the bill was reported favorably 14-3.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- And we're also going to allow the courts or qualified mental health experts to make preliminary findings
- Qualified mental health experts to make preliminary findings to facilitate such a referral.
- And currently, in felony cases, a court or a qualified mental health expert can make a preliminary finding
- Warburton of the state hospital system advises inmate health experts to file Care petitions for qualifying
- diagnosed of schizophrenia with lack of insight, health experts diagnose if a schizophrenia with lack
Committee:
Senate Public Safety
Summary:
The committee heard several bills related to public safety, juvenile justice, criminal procedure, and human trafficking. SB 1157 by Sen. Archuleta would create a framework for less restrictive juvenile placements in probation settings, with Judicial Council rules on issues such as insurance, staffing, background checks, notice to local governments, and zoning. Supporters, including county probation and local government representatives, said the bill would add needed oversight and safety standards; opponents argued it would impose rigid standards on a diverse continuum of community-based placements and that the Judicial Council was not the right body to set substantive program rules. The bill was discussed but no vote was taken at that point due to quorum issues.
SB 1012 by Sen. Smallwood-Cuevas, the Fire Camp to Career Act, would connect incarcerated fire camp participants to state-approved apprenticeships and require apprenticeship programs to consider their prior training and experience. The author and supporters from labor, fire training, and formerly incarcerated workers described it as a fair pathway to stable careers and a way to recognize skills gained in conservation camps. Committee members generally supported the concept, with one member noting that certification should still require demonstrated competence. The bill was moved forward after discussion.
SB 1306 by Sen. Cortese would align state law with federal exemptions for certain low-concentration GBL chemical mixtures used in semiconductor manufacturing and research, while leaving rules for pure GBL unchanged. Supporters said the bill would reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens and help keep semiconductor work in California; there was no opposition testimony, and members described it as a practical measure. SB 1401 by Sen. Stern would align felony incompetent-to-stand-trial procedures with existing misdemeanor rules, including timelines, information-sharing, and conservatorship referral provisions. Supporters said it would improve treatment pathways and prevent people from being released without care, while opponents warned it would expand court control, weaken confidentiality, and reduce due process protections. The committee approved SB 1401 on a do-pass motion to Appropriations.
The committee also heard SB 1027 by Sen. Strickland, which was amended to create a task force to study street prostitution, human trafficking, victim services, and related community impacts. Local officials and law enforcement supported the bill as a data-driven way to address trafficking and neighborhood harms, while some advocacy groups remained opposed to the bill as introduced and wanted to review the amendments. After discussion, the committee passed it as amended to the Governmental Organization Committee. Later, SB 1307 by Sen. Jones, dealing with fraudulent or forged real estate documents and clouded titles, was amended to focus on voiding false instruments in criminal cases; supporters said it would help victims clear title more quickly, and the bill was moved forward on a do-pass motion to the floor. The committee also heard the beginning of SB 1276 by Sen. Rubio, which would clarify that viewing live-streamed or AI-generated child sexual exploitation content is a crime; the author said it closes a loophole created by new technology, and supportive testimony began from child exploitation prosecutors and treatment specialists.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Some experts suggest that this could mean upwards of a billion dollars a year.
- Some experts suggest that this could mean upwards of a billion dollars a year.
- I'm just not an expert in that part of this.
- I'm just not an expert in that part of this.
- The experts up here would know exactly what that substance is.
Committee:
House Natural Resources
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 1115 waiver application and Section 1115 waiver application and increase<00:19:38.039><c> forensic
- </c><00:19:38.640><c> examiner</c> increase forensic examiner increase forensic examiner accessibility
- I’m no jurisprudence expert. I’m not a sheriff or anything, but I don’t know.
- I’m no jurisprudence expert. I’m not a sheriff or anything, but I don’t know.
- Particularly regarding forensics, it's an average of 289 days, and in the last quarter it was over 500
Committee:
Senate Human Services
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Community Safety Jan 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And you're going to hear from experts today, prosecutors, public defenders, who are going to advocate
- And you're going to hear from experts today, prosecutors, public defenders, who are going to advocate
- for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission's ISO/IEC 17025 standard for forensic
- We are your subject matter experts on toxicology, chemical testing, and impaired driving prosecution.
Summary:
The committee heard staff briefings and sponsor testimony on four bills. House Bill 2310 would elevate fourth-degree assault with a finding of sexual motivation to a Class C felony after two prior qualifying convictions within 10 years, with discussion focused on when sex-offender registration would apply and whether the bill would capture repeat conduct that is often pled down. The sponsor said the bill responds to a constituent’s experience and is intended to increase accountability for repeat offenders. Testimony was split: prosecutors and law enforcement supported the bill as a practical way to address repetitive sexual-motivation assaults, while defense advocates warned it would trigger major sex-offense consequences, including registration, prison time, immigration consequences, and possible sentencing disproportionality. No vote was taken and the hearing was held open.
House Bill 1239, the reentry readiness bill, would increase earned release time to up to 33.33% for eligible offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026, make certain enhancements eligible for earned release time, create a two-year peer-support pilot for incarcerated survivors of sexual violence and intimate partner violence at the Washington Corrections Center for Women, and require victim-notification materials about sentencing changes. The sponsor and supporters said it would improve reentry, reduce recidivism, and better prepare people for release, while the Sentencing Guidelines Commission said it aligns with prior recommendations for consistency in earned release. Prosecutors opposed the bill, arguing it mainly shortens sentences rather than improving reentry and could reduce accountability. The hearing remained open.
House Bill 1228 would allow blood and breath toxicology testing to be considered valid if performed by a lab certified under ISO/IEC 17025, in addition to current state toxicologist methods. The sponsor and several local officials said Washington’s toxicology backlog is causing long delays, sometimes over 300 days, which slows charging decisions and can allow repeat DUI behavior before cases are filed. Supporters said private accredited labs could provide a local option and speed results, while defense advocates asked for discovery protections if outside labs are used. County and law enforcement representatives supported the concept but cautioned against shifting costs to counties and creating unequal access based on local resources. The sponsor indicated an amendment would remove out-of-state labs and add a five-year report-back.
House Bill 2464 would require private detention facilities to report serious incidents such as abuse, neglect, deaths, suicides, injuries requiring hospitalization, and service disruptions to the Department of Health and local law enforcement within one business day, and would require annual reporting by law enforcement on calls and follow-up actions. The sponsor said the bill is aimed at transparency and ensuring that incidents in private detention facilities are not hidden. Testimony from advocates, journalists, and researchers described alleged abuse, suicides, hunger strikes, fires, and barriers to reporting at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, and said the bill would improve public access to information. Law enforcement representatives said the bill affects only two agencies and urged the committee to consider the cumulative burden of reporting mandates and the public-trust implications of involving local agencies in federal detention issues. The hearing on this bill was also held open.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services (Part I) Apr 23rd, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- There were three experts who were called, all of whom testified that had they done any due diligence.
- I know I've referred to FACN, that is the Forensic Assessment Center Network.
- Telehealth dialed a nurse practitioner into a... national head trauma expert.
- In the sense that when they come up against that, that's the first call they make is to some expert in
Bills:
SB128 , SB640 , SB672 , SB904 , SB1141 , SB1263 , SB1525 , SB1528 , SB2041 , SB2306 , SB2308 , SB2357 , SB2446 , SB2695 , SB2857 , SB2891 , SB2583
Committee:
Senate Health & Human Services
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 20, 2025 - 08:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- proceed without an Travis Creighton: attorney conducting a pre-investigation and obtaining a medical expert
- Travis Creighton: Mandatory pre-investigations by attorneys and experts, required mediation under 766.108
- systems that we have, which is the legal process where they will be Jordan Dolecy: cross examined by experts
- My family hired a private forensic pathologist, Doctor Daniel Sold, who conducted his autopsy and concluded
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 18, March 3, 2026-PM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, they're experts, as is the people on the committee, and they're not afraid of change.
- I<01:40:16.639><c> mean,</c><01:40:16.880><c> they're</c><01:40:17.280><c> experts,</c><01:40:17.920>
- <c> as</c><01:40:18.080><c> is</c><01:40:18.320><c> the</c> I mean, they're experts, as is the I mean
- , they're experts, as is the people<01:40:18.719><c> on</c><01:40:18.960><c> the</c><01:40:19.119><c>
- <04:11:53.520><c> examinations,</c> forensic examinations, forensic examinations, uh,<04:11:55.680><c
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/15/2026)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- And I'll tell you that one of my favorite experts ever, I didn't even know they existed, was a forensic
- </c> let the defense have any defense expert let the defense have any defense expert that<01:32:20.080
- But it did involve expert testimony and my meeting with experts, flying out of state to meet with experts
- But it did involve expert story.
- , flying out of state to meet experts, flying out of state to meet with<01:34:47.600><c> experts,</c>
Committee:
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Mar 31st, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- attorney to provide a copy of videotape statements of protected persons, generally children, in forensic
- Vining, the expert on the matter. Mr. Vining, good morning. Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Madam Chair.
- I'm going to speak briefly, and the real expert is Jennifer Bush.
- I'm going to speak briefly, and the real expert is Jennifer Bush.
- technical custodial treatment for probation violations from 90 days to 180 days, and I'll let the experts
Committee:
House Administration of Criminal Justice
Summary:
The committee first handled several criminal justice bills related to evidence, juror privacy, probation, and sex offender supervision. HB 95, by Rep. Lecombe, updates an older statute to allow electronic access to videotaped forensic interviews of protected persons for prosecutors, defense counsel, courts, and other authorized persons; it was reported favorably. HB 55, by Rep. Villio, prohibits public disclosure of juror identifying information such as names, addresses, and contact information; after testimony from District Attorney Tony Clayton about juror harassment and intimidation, the committee adopted a small amendment removing outdated language and reported the bill favorably with amendments. HB 125, by Rep. Horton, revises supervised release for certain sex offenders to address jurisdiction and notification issues, especially when violations occur outside Louisiana; after testimony from DOC and probation and parole officials and a witness describing victim-protection monitoring, it was reported favorably with amendments. HB 158, also by Rep. Horton, increases the maximum custodial treatment period for technical probation violations from 90 to 180 days, but witnesses raised concerns that the language was too broad and could impose extra jail time beyond treatment; the author agreed to work on clarifying language before floor debate, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 169, by Rep. Horton, makes probationers or parolees responsible for extradition costs if they are able to pay, and it was reported favorably.
The committee then considered HB 133, by Rep. Newell, which strengthens penalties and treatment requirements for battery of a school teacher and related offenses. A large amendment package was adopted to add aggravated battery and second-degree battery involving students or school employees, define terms, require counseling and evaluations in certain juvenile cases, and adjust juvenile disposition provisions. Teachers and supporters testified about assaults in schools and the need to protect educators, while district attorneys warned that some of the amended language—especially the shift to “serious bodily injury” and some definitional changes—could make prosecutions harder or create unintended constitutional issues. Rep. Newell agreed to continue working with prosecutors to tighten the language before the bill reaches the floor, and HB 133 was reported favorably as amended.
Later, the committee heard HB 821 by Rep. McFarland, which moves the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools from GOSEP to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement; the change was described as largely administrative and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also took up HB 399 by Rep. Zerang, which extends the terminally ill/incapacitated inmate release window from 60 to 120 days. Secretary Gary Westcott and DOC officials explained that the program is tightly vetted, applies to inmates who are truly at end of life, and includes victim notification and maximum supervision; supporters, including medical and faith-based witnesses, emphasized dignity, hospice care, and the practical need for more time to complete release planning. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, HB 296 by Rep. Knox repeals the inactive Reentry Advisory Council and the Offender Rehabilitation Workforce Development Act, and HB 168 by Rep. Freiburg creates a transitional reentry program for female parolees within six months of release; both were presented as public-safety and reentry measures, with strong support from reentry advocates, business groups, and faith-based organizations, and both were reported favorably.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Mar 31st, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- attorney to provide a copy of videotape statements of protected persons, generally children, in forensic
- Vining, the expert on the matter. Mr. Vining, good morning. Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Madam Chair.
- I'm going to speak briefly, and the real expert is Jennifer Bush.
- I'm going to speak briefly, and the real expert is Jennifer Bush.
- technical custodial treatment for probation violations from 90 days to 180 days, and I'll let the experts
Bills:
HB54 , HB55 , HB125 , HB133 , HB158 , HB161 , HB168 , HB169 , HB191 , HB245 , HB280 , HB296 , HB399 , HB821 , HB995
Committee:
House Administration of Criminal Justice
Keywords:
juror confidentiality, public records, criminal procedure, privacy, court disclosure, sex offender, sex offense, child predator, registry, registration, notification, supervised release, probation and parole, parole, juvenile offender, victim under 13, community notification, lifetime registration, failure to register, venue