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)]
HB 463 Original 2016 Regular Session Billiot
Abstract: Provides relative to the eligibility requirements for the Veterans Court program.
Present law excludes a defendant from participating in the Veterans Court program if the defendant's
crime being considered before the court is a crime of violence as defined in present law or if the
defendant has a prior felony offense or other pending criminal proceedings alleging commission of
a crime of violence.
Proposed law expands participation in the Veterans Court program by excluding only those
defendants whose crime before the court is a homicide, a sex offense requiring registration, or a
crime of violence unless the entire sentence may be deferred or suspended.
Proposed law further excludes participation in the program if the defendant has prior felony
convictions for any offenses defined as a homicide in present law or other pending criminal
proceedings alleging commission of a homicide or sex offense.
Proposed law adds that a defendant may still be eligible for the Veterans Court program even if the
defendant would not otherwise be eligible for probation due to his criminal history.
(Amends R.S. 13:5366(B)(9)(a) and (b))