ENROLLED
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 142
BY REPRESENTATIVE LOPINTO
A RESOLUTION
To direct the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to study and make
recommendations relative to the different forms of execution and the methods of
execution to determine the best practices for administering the death penalty in the
most humane manner.
WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has ruled that capital punishment is
not a per se violation of the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution; and
WHEREAS, as a matter of public policy, the Louisiana Legislature has determined
that a sentence of death is appropriate for certain offenses, including first degree murder and
treason; and
WHEREAS, prior to 1991, the only method of execution which was authorized by
law was by electrocution; and
WHEREAS, since 1991, the only method of execution which is authorized by law
is by lethal injection; and
WHEREAS, the ability to obtain the drugs necessary to execute a sentence of death
by lethal injection has become difficult in recent years; and
WHEREAS, the ability to execute a sentence of death is therefore controlled by the
availability of those drugs; and
WHEREAS, investigating other methods of execution is necessary to address this
issue; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to study the best practices in the administration of the
death penalty. ENROLLEDHR NO. 142
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby direct the Department of Public Safety and Corrections
to study different methods of execution to determine the best practices for administering the
death penalty in the most humane manner.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this study shall include recommendations for the
procedures and protocols for the administration of the death penalty.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Public Safety and Corrections
shall issue a written report to the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal
Justice detailing their findings no later than January 1, 2015.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES