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 144 Original 2023 Regular Session Thomas
Abstract: Requires persons 21 years of age or older convicted of the offense of production or
manufacturing of methamphetamine to register with local law enforcement agencies.
Proposed law provides that persons who commit the offense of production or manufacturing of
methamphetamine, even after being released from incarceration or commitment, are of paramount
public interest.
Proposed law requires a person 21 years of age or older residing in the state who has been convicted
of the offense of production or manufacturing of methamphetamine as provided by present law (R.S.
40:967) to register with the sheriff of the person's residence, or residences, if there is more than one,
and with the chief of police if the address of any of the person's residences is located in an
incorporated area which has a police department.
Proposed law provides for the following definitions:
(1)"Conviction" means any disposition of charges adverse to the defendant, including a plea of
guilty, deferred adjudication, adjudication withheld for the perpetration or attempted
perpetration of or conspiracy to commit an offense involving the production or
manufacturing of methamphetamine. "Conviction" shall not include a decision not to
prosecute, a dismissal, or an acquittal, except when the acquittal is due to a finding of not
guilty by reason of insanity and the person was committed.
(2)"Disposition" means the formal conclusion of a criminal proceeding at whatever stage it
occurs in the criminal justice system.
(3)"Residence" means a dwelling where an offender regularly resides, regardless of the number
of days or nights spent there. For offenders who lack a fixed abode or dwelling, "residence"
shall include the area or place where the offender habitually lives, including but not limited
to a rural area with no residence or a shelter.
Proposed law provides that persons required to register pursuant to proposed law shall appear in
person at the appropriate law enforcement agency within 30 business days of establishing a new or
additional physical residential address or of changes in information previously provided when any
of the following occur:
(1)The offender changes his place of residence or establishes a new or additional residence. (2)The offender has vacated his current address of registration with the intent not to return.
(3)The offender has been absent from his current address of registration for more than 90
consecutive days or an aggregate of 90 days or more per calendar year and is physically
present at another address during that same time period.
(4)The offender has a change in name.
Proposed law provides that any person who fails to register, periodically renew and update
registration, provide proof of residence or notification of change of address or other registration
information, as required by proposed law, and a person who knowingly provides false information
to the appropriate law enforcement agency, shall be fined not more than $1,000, imprisoned for not
more than six months, or both.
Proposed law requires persons to register as long as they are under an order of imprisonment for a
first, second, or third offense and for the duration of the lifetime of the offender for a fourth or
subsequent offense, unless the underlying conviction is reversed, set aside, or vacated.
Proposed law does not apply to any person who obtained an expungement pursuant to present law.
(Adds R.S. 15:563-563.5)