The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Margaret M. Corley.
DIGEST
SB 407 Original 2020 Regular Session Foil
Present law provides that the Legislature recognizes that there is a critical need for criminal justice
system programs to assist veterans in order to reduce the incidence of recidivism.
Proposed law authorized the secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to
establish a Post-Conviction Veterans Mentor Program for incarcerated veterans.
Present law provides that an offender who is incarcerated is eligible to participate in the program if
certain conditions are met.
Proposed law retains present law and adds the requirement that the offender has completed a mentor
training program as deemed appropriate by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
Present law provides for requirements to maintain eligibility in the program.
Proposed law changes these to additional requirements for participation in the program.
Additionally, proposed law, adds the requirement of submitting to random drug screenings and
receiving no positive results from such screenings.
Proposed law provides that liability for all activity and possible illegal activity will fall solely on the
veteran offender participating in the program. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections will
have indemnity for any and all actions taken by the offender that may be illegal, that subject the
offender to parole revocation, or that are deemed eligible to terminate the offender's participation in
the Post-Conviction Veterans Mentor Program.
Proposed law provides that the offender will serve as a mentor in the Veterans Court probation
program, upon written approval of the presiding judge.
Present law authorizes transitional facilities for incarcerated veterans who serve as mentors for the
Veterans Court probation program. Further provides for certain requirements for the facilities.
Proposed law provides that existing transitional work release program facilities, otherwise known
as work release, may be used to provide services and opportunities to the veterans participating in
the program to benefit both the veterans participating and the parish jails.
Effective August 1, 2020.
(Amends R.S. 15:1199.22, 1199.24(A)(1), (2), (7), and (8), (B), (C), (D), (E), and (F), 1199.25, and 1199.26; adds R.S. 15:1199.24(A)(11) and (G))