HLS 10RS-1980 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE BILL NO. 1264
BY REPRESENTATIVE LAFONTA
CRIME: Creates the crime of criminal damage to historic buildings and landmarks by
defacing with graffiti
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 14:56.5, relative to damage to property; to create the crime of criminal2
damage to historic buildings and landmarks by defacing with graffiti; to provide for3
penalties; to provide for definitions; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 14:56.5 is hereby enacted to read as follows: 6
ยง56.5. Criminal damage to historic buildings or landmarks by defacing with graffiti7
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally deface with graffiti any8
historic building or landmark, whether publicly or privately owned, without the9
consent of the owner.10
B. As used in this Section, the following terms shall have the following11
meanings:12
(1) "Deface" or "defacing" is the damaging of any historic building or13
landmark by means of painting, marking, scratching, drawing, or etching with14
graffiti.15
(2) "Graffiti" includes but is not limited to any sign, inscription, design,16
drawing, diagram, etching, sketch, symbol, lettering, name, or marking placed upon17
any historic building or landmark in such a manner and in such a location as to18
deface the property and be visible to the general public.19 HLS 10RS-1980 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1264
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
(3) "Historic building or landmark" means any building or landmark1
specifically designated as historically significant by the state historic preservation2
office, historic preservation district commission, landmarks commission, the3
planning or zoning commission of a governing authority, or by official action of a4
local political subdivision.5
C. Whoever commits the crime of criminal damage to historic buildings or6
landmarks by defacing with graffiti shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars7
and shall be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than two years. At8
least one year of the sentence imposed shall be served without benefit of parole,9
probation, or suspension of sentence.10
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
LaFonta HB No. 1264
Abstract: Creates the crime of criminal damage to historic buildings and landmarks by
defacing with graffiti.
Proposed law creates the crime of criminal damage to historic buildings or landmarks by
defacing with graffiti.
Proposed law defines "deface", "defacing", "graffiti", and "historic building or landmark".
Proposed law provides penalties including a fine of not more than $1,000 and imprisonment
with or without hard labor for not more than two years. At least one year of the sentence
imposed shall be served without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension.
(Adds R.S. 14:56.5)