Provides relative to disclosure of juror information (EG SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

House Bill 55 creates a new criminal statute prohibiting the disclosure of juror identifying information while establishing a limited exception for court-authorized disclosures. The bill enacts Code of Criminal Procedure Article 794.1, which makes it unlawful for any person having access to or knowledge of a juror's identity, name, address, telephone number, email address, image, or likeness to publicly disclose such information regarding current or former grand or petit jurors. The statute allows disclosure only when a court finds good cause following a motion by any person, and the court may limit disclosure or impose protective measures to shield juror identity. The bill also amends the Public Records Law by adding Article 794.1 to the list of statutory exceptions to public records requirements in R.S. 44:4.1(B)(39), thereby classifying juror information as a category exempt from public disclosure absent court authorization.

The practical effect of this legislation applies broadly to anyone with access to juror information, including court personnel, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, law enforcement officials, and any other individual who may possess identifying details about jurors. Jurors themselves are afforded protection against unwanted disclosure of their personal information, which may reduce concerns about harassment, intimidation, or safety threats that could otherwise affect their willingness to serve or their impartiality on future juries. The statute creates a criminal penalty of up to one thousand dollars in fines, six months imprisonment, or both for intentional violations, making unauthorized disclosure a criminal offense rather than merely a regulatory violation.

Article 794.1 operates within Louisiana's existing criminal procedure framework governing jury administration and the state's public records exemptions structure. The statute interacts with other Code of Criminal Procedure articles concerning jury selection and jury management, as indicated by the cross-references to Articles 103, 234, 877, and 894. By incorporating the new article into R.S. 44:4.1(B)(39), the legislation places juror information protection within the established public records exemption regime, ensuring that juror data held by government entities cannot be released under public records requests except through the court's good cause determination process. This aligns with constitutional principles protecting the integrity of judicial proceedings while maintaining a safety valve through judicial discretion.