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 726 Engrossed 2022 Regular Session Lyons
Abstract: Provides relative to the financial obligations of criminal offenders.
Present law provides that the purpose of imposing financial obligations on an offender who is
convicted of a criminal offense is to hold the offender accountable for his action, to compensate
victims for any actual pecuniary loss or costs incurred in connection with a criminal prosecution, to
defray the cost of court operations, and to provide services to offenders and victims.
Present law further provides that these financial obligations should not create a barrier to the
offender's successful rehabilitation and reentry into society, that financial obligations that cause
undue hardship on the offender should be waived, modified, or forgiven, and that creating a payment
plan for the offender that is based upon the ability to pay, results in financial obligations that the
offender is able to comply with and often results in more money collected.
Present law provides a definition for "financial obligations".
Present law provides that prior to ordering the imposition or enforcement of any financial
obligations, the court shall determine whether payment in full of the aggregate amount of all the
financial obligations to be imposed upon the defendant would cause substantial financial hardship
to the defendant or his dependents.
Proposed law retains present law and provides that a defendant shall not be incarcerated for his
inability to meet his financial obligations if those financial obligations would cause substantial
financial hardship to the defendant or his dependants. Provides that proposed law shall apply to
defendants convicted of traffic offenses, misdemeanor offenses, or felonies under applicable law.
(Adds C.Cr.P. Art. 875.1(H))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal
Justice to the original bill:
1. Specify the types of offenses to which proposed law is applicable.