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HB 656

CORRECTIONS: Creates a pilot program that provides certain DPS&C programming and services to inmates (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Bayham and 18 co-sponsors

Louisiana HB 656 would create a DPS&C pilot program to provide selected in-prison rehabilitation and related services to inmates to assess feasibility and outcomes.

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 656

Summary of HB 656 (Louisiana, 2026 Session)

Quick overview

HB 656 proposes the creation of a pilot program within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) to provide selected programming and services to inmates. The bill aims to expand access to rehabilitation and related supports within correctional facilities, subject to funding considerations indicated by the fiscal note reference.

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a pilot program to deliver DPS&C programming and services to inmates.
  • The program is designed to explore the feasibility, effectiveness, and outcomes of offering structured in-prison interventions aimed at rehabilitation, reentry preparation, or related goals.
  • The bill references accompanying fiscal notes (GF EX) to address funding considerations, implying scrutiny of the program’s cost and budgeting implications.

Key provisions (as indicated by the bill summary)

  • Creation of a pilot program within DPS&C focused on inmate access to certain programming and services.
  • The scope likely includes specific DPS&C offerings (which may include educational, vocational, counseling, reentry planning, or other rehabilitative services). The precise list of services is not enumerated in the summary provided but would be defined in the bill’s text.
  • Implementation details would be developed through an operational framework for the pilot period, including eligibility, delivery methods, and performance metrics (typical components of a DPS&C programming pilot).
  • Fiscal considerations are acknowledged via the “GF EX” notation in the fiscal note, indicating anticipated funding requirements and potential constraints or needs for general fund-expenditure authorization.

Who is affected

  • Inmates within the Louisiana DPS&C system who are eligible to participate in the pilot program.
  • DPS&C facilities and staff responsible for delivering the pilot programming.
  • The state’s budget and fiscal officers, due to the associated financing described in the fiscal note.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Prefiled for the 2026 session.
  • Appeared on the Interim Calendar on February 27, 2026.
  • Reported favorably from committee with a 9-0 vote on April 28, 2026, indicating strong legislative support at the committee level.
  • As a pilot program, it will likely include a defined duration (e.g., a set number of years) and an evaluation plan to assess outcomes and determine potential expansion or permanency, with subsequent legislative consideration based on results.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • If successful, the pilot could expand access to rehabilitative programming within prisons, potentially improving outcomes related to recidivism, skill-building, and post-release success.
  • Fiscal impact will hinge on the size of the pilot, services included, staffing needs, and ongoing funding availability.
  • Implementation details, including criteria for inmate participation, program components, and evaluation metrics, will be crucial for understanding effectiveness and scalability.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize specific provisions once the bill’s full text is available, or add a section on anticipated fiscal figures and implementation milestones from the fiscal note.

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

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