Creates a public registry for repeat domestic violence offenders. (8/1/26)

SB 90 Original 2026 Regular Session Abraham

Proposed law creates the Habitual Domestic Violence Offender Registry within the La. Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information for offenders who, after August 1, 2027, receive a second or subsequent conviction for certain violations of present law when the victim is a family member, household member, or dating partner.

Proposed law provides definitions for "bureau", "conviction", "dating partner", "domestic abuse victim", "family member", "household member", "habitual domestic violence offender", "online offender", "out-of-state offender", "postsecondary educational institution", "residence", "school", and "social networking website".

Proposed law provides an exception to the provisions of proposed law for offenders who are required to register as a sex offender, child predator, or child abuser pursuant to present law.

Proposed law provides that the court will provide written notice to a habitual domestic violence offender that he is required within three days to register upon his release from incarceration or as a condition of his probation or parole. Proposed law also provides that the court will impose, in addition to any other penalty, a $150 registration fee that the offender will pay to the clerk of court, and that the clerk will remit the fee to the bureau within seven days of receipt.

Proposed law provides that an offender who is required to register will provide certain information to the sheriff's department in any parish in which he resides. Proposed law also provides that this information will include proof that the offender resides at the address he claims and that, if an offender is unable to provide proof of his address, he may submit an affidavit from an adult resident living at the same address attesting that the offender resides at the same address as the affiant.

Proposed law provides that the law enforcement agency that receives registration information will immediately enter it into the Habitual Domestic Violence Offender Registry.

Proposed law provides that a registered habitual domestic violence offender will notify certain local and campus police departments that he is registered as a habitual domestic violence offender within 14 days of registration.

Proposed law provides that an offender's name will stay on the registry for 10 years from the date of initial registration unless the underlying convictions are reversed, set aside, or vacated. Proposed law also provides that an offender must keep his registration information current.

Proposed law provides that the bureau will have certain duties related to the creation, operation, and maintenance of the Habitual Domestic Violence Offender Registry that include but are not limited to:

(1) Maintaining a central publicly accessible registry subject to certain confidentiality provisions for specified information.

(2) Receiving information regarding out-of-state offenders who establish a residence in La. and are convicted of offenses in other states that would require registration had the convictions been obtained in La.

(3) Promulgating rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act to implement proposed law.

(4) Implementing certain information-sharing capabilities with social networking websites for the purpose of identifying or monitoring registered users.

Proposed law creates the crime of failure to register and notify as a habitual domestic violence offender and provides that it is a violation for:

(1) A habitual domestic violence offender to: (a) Fail to register as ordered by the court. (b) Knowingly provide false or outdated registration information. (c) Fail to notify, within 14 days, any law enforcement officer, office, or agency required to receive registration information of changes or updates to registration information. (d) Fail to provide notice of registration to a local or campus police department, as applicable, within 14 days.

(2) A person who certifies by affidavit the address of an offender to a law enforcement agency to fail to send written notice to the same law enforcement agency notifying it, within the designated time period, that: (a) The offender no longer resides at the address provided in the affidavit any time the offender is absent from the residence for a period of 30 days. The notification must be sent within three days of the end of the 30-day period. (b) Either the offender or the affiant vacates the residence with the intent to establish a new residence at another location. This notification must be sent within three days of the offender or the affiant vacating the residence with the requisite intent.

Proposed law provides that an offender who fails to register as required by proposed law will be fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than one year, or both, and will have any outstanding probation revoked.

Proposed law provides that an affiant who violates proposed law will be fined not more than $500, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

Proposed law provides that the implementation of proposed law will be subject to the appropriation of necessary funds by the legislature.

Effective August 1, 2026.

(Adds R.S. 15:564-564.5)