The original instrument was prepared by Margaret M. Corley. The following digest,
which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by
Christine Arbo Peck.
DIGEST
SB 407 Reengrossed 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 provides that an offender who is incarcerated is eligible for consideration to participate
in the program if certain conditions are met.
Proposed law retains present law conditions and adds the requirement that the offender has
completed a mentor training program as deemed appropriate by the Department of Public Safety and
Corrections and the consent of the sentencing judge and the district attorney of the jurisdiction of
the conviction.
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), (12), and (G))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary B to the original bill
1. Adds requirement that the sentencing judge and the district attorney of the
jurisdiction of the conviction consent to the offender participating in the program.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Makes technical changes.