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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 738
BY SENATORS MORRELL, BROOME, DORSEY-COLOMB AND HEITMEIER AND
REPRESENTATIVES WESLEY BISHOP, BROSSETT, HONORE,
LEGER, MORENO AND NORTON
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 14:20.1, relative to self-defense; to require full investigation of all deaths due2
to violence or suspicious circumstances when a claim of self-defense is raised; and3
to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 14:20.1 is hereby enacted to read as follows: 6
ยง20.1. Investigation of death due to violence or suspicious circumstances when7
claim of self-defense is raised8
Whenever a death results from violence or under suspicious9
circumstances and a claim of self-defense is raised, the appropriate law10
enforcement agency and coroner shall expeditiously conduct a full investigation11
of the death. All evidence of such investigation shall be preserved.12
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not13
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature14
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If15
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become16
effective on the day following such approval.17
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
ACT No. 690