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HB 323

CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES: Provides relative to notification and reporting procedures pertaining to inmate deaths (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Candace Newell

HB 323 creates standardized, timely reporting and transparency for inmate deaths, including notification to families, independent investigation, and annual public data reports.

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
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Bill Summary · HB 323

Summary of HB 323 (2026) – Louisiana

Purpose and Intent

HB 323 seeks to overhaul and standardize notification and reporting procedures related to inmate deaths in Louisiana correctional facilities. The bill creates a formal framework for timely notification to authorities and families, mandates comprehensive reporting, data collection, and public dissemination of annual summaries. It aims to increase transparency and accountability in how inmate deaths are handled and analyzed.

Key Provisions

  • Definitions (New Subpart A, Ch. 7, Part I, Title 15):

    • Clarifies terms such as “correctional facility,” “department” (Department of Public Safety and Corrections, DPS&C), “immediate family member,” and “supervisor.”

  • Notification Procedures (R.S. 15:716.1):

    • Upon death of an inmate, the supervisor must:
    • Immediately notify the DPS&C.
    • Immediately notify the parish coroner, documenting attempts and providing known death circumstances.
    • Notify an immediate family member no later than 12 hours after death; no notifications between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
    • Provide a written condolence letter to the family with circumstances and available information.
    • Investigate the death and pursue relevant facts for inclusion in a comprehensive report.

  • Preliminary and Comprehensive Reports:

    • A preliminary report must be issued per DPS&C critical incident requirements and shared with the immediate family at no cost.
    • A comprehensive report must be prepared within 30 days of death, submitted to the Louisiana Attorney General and the DPS&C Division of Prison Operations, and posted via a link on relevant websites.
    • The comprehensive report must include: inmate name, age, race, gender, date/time of death, facility/housing area, preliminary cause, a summary of circumstances, the investigating independent agency, and other relevant facts.

  • Prohibitions and Protections:

    • No person involved in any act connected to the death may participate in notifying or contacting the family.
    • The DPS&C must appoint an independent investigator to examine the death and pursue charges or actions as needed.
    • The Division of Prison Operations must assess systemic issues, release public recommendations, and coordinate with the Louisiana Department of Health on medical care quality related to the death.
    • Exceptions: provisions do not apply if death is due to natural causes attended by a physician or RN, or in cases of a death sentence.

  • Penalties (Subsection A):

    • Willful noncompliance can result in up to 6 months' imprisonment, a $1,000 fine, or both.

  • Natural Causes Protocol (R.S. 15:716.2):

    • If death is natural and attended by medical staff, immediate family must be notified with specifics about death time, autopsy (unless objected within 8 hours), etc.

  • Data Collection (R.S. 15:716.3):

    • LDH shall collect annual data on inmate deaths, including cause, manner, trial status, race, age, gender, length of incarceration, and facility type.

  • Public Reporting (R.S. 15:716.4):

    • DPS&C and the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association must jointly produce an annual public report analyzing aggregate, facility-specific inmate death data (counts, demographics, crime history, cause and date of death, duration of stay, etc.).
    • Supervisors must collect and submit data promptly for inclusion in the annual report.
    • Reports must be published on the DPS&C website and the respective facilities’ websites no later than December 31 each year.

  • Death Certificates (Amendment to R.S. 40:34.10):

    • Death certificates must now include whether the person died in prison or while serving a sentence, when applicable.

Who/What is Affected

  • Stakeholders: Inmates and their immediate families, correctional facility staff and administrators (supervisors/wardens), DPS&C, Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), Louisiana Attorney General, and the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association.
  • Data and Transparency: Public access to annual death data and facility-specific analyses.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Comprehensive death reports due within 30 days of death.
  • Annual public report deadline: must be published by December 31 each year.
  • Notification to families has a 12-hour window post-death, with restrictions on nighttime outreach.
  • LDH data collection and joint annual public analysis required.

Overall, HB 323 establishes structured, transparent, and timely processes for detection, notification, investigation, data collection, and public reporting on inmate deaths in Louisiana.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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