HLS 23RS-3356 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 194
BY REPRESENTATIVES VILLIO AND CHARLES OWEN
CRIMINAL/SENTENCING: Requests the House Committee on the Administration of
Criminal Justice to study sentencing transparency
1 A RESOLUTION
2To urge and request the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice, or a
3 subcommittee thereof, to study sentencing transparency and sentence calculations
4 and to submit a report with recommendations for legislation to the Louisiana House
5 of Representatives no later than March 1, 2024.
6 WHEREAS, sentences for crimes committed in violation of Louisiana law should
7be clear and readily ascertainable to both victims, offenders, and the public; and
8 WHEREAS, Louisiana law affords an individual opportunities to reduce the time he
9serves in prison, including through calculations of "good time;" and
10 WHEREAS, calculations for these sentence reductions are not located in one
11centralized location or database, leaving victims and offenders unable to understand the
12length of the prison sentence; and
13 WHEREAS, the sentence delivered in open court frequently does not reflect the
14amount of time the offender will actually serve, causing confusion as to how much time the
15individual should remain in prison; and
16 WHEREAS, the Louisiana House of Representatives strives to ensure clarity and
17transparency in the law and in the criminal justice system; and
18 WHEREAS, further study is needed to improve sentencing transparency and to better
19protect public safety; and
Page 1 of 2 HLS 23RS-3356 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 194
1 WHEREAS, further public discussion is needed outside of the legislative session to
2ensure members of the public are able to fully ascertain the term of imprisonment at the time
3of sentencing without any misconceptions.
4 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
5Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the House Committee on
6Administration of Criminal Justice, or a subcommittee thereof, to study sentencing
7transparency and sentence calculations and to submit a report with recommendations for
8legislation to the Louisiana House of Representatives no later than March 1, 2024.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House Committee on Administration of
10Criminal Justice shall receive input and information from the following organizations:
11 (1) The Louisiana District Judges Association.
12 (2) The Louisiana District Attorneys Association.
13 (3) The Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
14 (4) The Louisiana Sheriffs' Association.
15 (5) The Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
16 (6) Any other interested stakeholders.
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that one print copy and one electronic copy of any
18report produced pursuant to this Resolution shall be submitted to the David R. Poynter
19Legislative Research Library as required by R.S. 24:772.
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)]
HR 194 Original 2023 Regular Session Villio
Requests the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice, or a subcommittee
thereof, to study sentencing transparency and sentence calculations and to submit a report
with recommendations for legislation to the La. House of Representatives no later than
March 1, 2024.
Page 2 of 2