COURTS: Requests a study to make recommendations regarding behavioral health courts

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chasity Martinez and 1 co-sponsor

Louisiana studies whether behavioral health courts effectively reduce criminal justice involvement for mentally ill individuals, considering homelessness and costs in three parishe

Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.

What the bill is

Type: House Concurrent Resolution (HCR)

Bill number: HCR 64

Session: 2026

Jurisdiction: Louisiana

Primary sponsor: Representative Moore (co-sponsor: Pat Moore)

Purpose: Urges a study by the Louisiana Supreme Court Drug and Specialty Court program on how behavioral health courts relate to mental health, homelessness, and the criminal justice system, and to report findings and recommendations.

Main purpose and intent

The resolution seeks to understand whether behavioral health courts (a specialized court approach for individuals with mental health needs) are effective as alternatives to the traditional criminal justice system.

It emphasizes connections among mental health issues, homelessness, and involvement with the criminal justice system.

It aims to inform policy by assessing effectiveness, impact, and costs of behavioral health courts in three Louisiana parishes (Calcasieu, Rapides, and St. Tammany).

Key provisions and changes ( substantive content)

Directs the Louisiana Supreme Court Drug and Specialty Court program to study:

The connection between mental health issues, homelessness, and the criminal justice system.
The effectiveness of behavioral health courts as alternatives to the traditional judicial system.

Responsibilities of the study:

Survey or invite academia or policy institutes to provide input on how they can assist with the study.
Focus on the behavioral health courts operating in Calcasieu Parish, Rapides Parish, and St. Tammany Parish.
Assess effectiveness, impact, and operational costs of these courts.

Reporting requirements:

The program must report its findings and recommendations to the House and Senate committees on health and welfare.
Deadline for report: no later than February 1, 2027.
The program should provide one print copy and one electronic copy to the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library (as per existing statute requirements).

Collaboration and information sharing:

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections and the Louisiana Department of Health shall provide necessary information to produce the report.

Who or what would be affected

Behavioral health courts in Louisiana, specifically in:

Calcasieu Parish
Rapides Parish
St. Tammany Parish

State agencies involved in public safety, corrections, and health (LADOC, DPIC, LDH) in terms of information sharing for the study.

Legislative committees on health and welfare that will receive the study findings and recommendations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Initiation: The resolution directs a study, not new law or funding allocations.

Timeline: The final report is due to the House and Senate health and welfare committees by February 1, 2027.

Reporting format: One print copy and one electronic copy to the Legislative Research Library; distribution to the judicial administrator of the Louisiana Supreme Court Drug and Specialty Court program.

Possible engagement: The program may survey or invite universities or policy institutes to contribute ideas and analysis.

Potential impact and considerations

If the study finds strong positive impact, it could bolster support for expanding behavioral health courts or increasing funding and resources for such programs.

If findings indicate high costs or limited effectiveness, lawmakers may consider reforms, replication barriers, or alternative interventions for people with mental illness who come into contact with the criminal justice system.

The focus on homelessness highlights potential needs for integrated services and interagency collaboration beyond the courts.

Bill