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)]
HCR 27 Reengrossed 2018 Regular Session Smith
Creates the Louisiana Women's Incarceration Task Force to study, evaluate, analyze, and undertake
a comprehensive review of the state's criminal justice system as it relates to women. The
information gathered shall be used to develop policy recommendations for the legislature to:
(1)Develop practices and processes that avoid placing additional trauma or harm upon women
as they navigate the criminal justice system.
(2)Reduce both the correctional population and recidivism of women.
(3)Develop a group of practices and processes throughout the criminal justice system that allow
people to navigate these systems with affirmation of their self-determined gender identity.
(4)Address the holistic health of women to include access to hormone therapy, prenatal care,
reproductive health, access to other medicine to maintain health, consistent health screenings,
mental health access, and access to substance use and recovery resources.
(5)Increase and evaluate programming available to women during and after incarceration with
the intention of self-determined development.
(6)Increase and ensure the availability of gender responsive resources to support the dignity and
quality of life of all women.
(7)Reinvest savings into strategies shown to decrease recidivism, including improved reentry
outcomes, diversion programs, and employment pipelines.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal
Justice to the original bill:
1. Make changes to the composition of the task force.
2. Provide that the secretary, instead of the assistant secretary, of the Dept. of Public Safety
and Corrections, or his designee, shall serve as chair of the task force.
3. Provide that the work of the task force shall begin on August 1, 2018, and shall end on August 1, 2019, with the option of extending.