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 96 Engrossed 2023 Regular Session Thomas
Abstract: Provides relative to penalties for negligent homicide.
Present law (R.S. 14:32) provides for the crime of negligent homicide.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law (R.S. 14:32(C)(1)) provides that whoever commits the crime of negligent homicide shall
be imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than five years, fined not more than $5,000,
or both.
Proposed law amends present law to change the maximum term of imprisonment from five years to
20 years.
Present law (R.S. 14:32(C)(2)(a)) provides that if the victim killed was under the age of 10 years,
the offender shall be imprisoned at hard labor, without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension
of sentence, for not less than two nor more than five years.
Proposed law amends present law to change the maximum term of imprisonment from five years to
20 years.
Present law (R.S. 14:32(C)(3)) provides that if the victim was killed by a dog or other animal, the
owner of the dog or other animal shall be imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than
five years or fined not more than $5,000, or both.
Proposed law amends present law to change the maximum term of imprisonment from five years to
20 years.
(Amends R.S. 14:32(C)(1), (2)(a), and (3))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal
Justice to the original bill:
1. Make technical changes. 2. Remove the proposed law definition of "firearm" from the present law list of definitions.
3. Remove proposed law provisions relative to the penalty for the killing of a human being
that is proximately or caused directly by the discharge of a firearm.
4. Remove present law provisions relative to responsive verdicts.