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)]
Katrina Jackson HB No. 679
Abstract: Provides relative to the policies, duties, powers, and reports of the Louisiana
Sentencing Commission.
Present law provides for the creation of the La. Sentencing Commission with the purpose of
assisting the legislature and the judiciary in formulating consistent and uniform sentencing
policies, and further provides that the commission shall annually review the state's sentencing
structure and recommend changes as appropriate.
Present law requires the La. Sentencing Commission to make biannual recommendations for
amendments to state law that will maximize uniformity, certainty, consistency, and adequacy of
the sentencing structure.
Proposed law retains present law and requires the La. Sentencing Commission to monitor
compliance with sentencing standards set forth in present law, assess their impact on the
correctional resources of the state, and determine if the sentencing practices further these
standards. Proposed law further provides that any recommendations that are based upon the La.
Sentencing Commission's findings pursuant to proposed law may be included in the biannual
issuance of recommendations required by present law.
(Amends R.S. 15:321(A), (B), (C), (D), and (E))