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Bill

HB 397

CRIME: Provides relative to public safety at Mardi Gras and other parades (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sylvia Taylor

Creates a new crime to deter and punish reckless object throwing from parade floats, with penalties rising by injury severity.

Withdrawn from the files of the House.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 397

Overview

Louisiana HB 397 (2026) creates a new criminal offense: reckless throwing from a parade float. The measure aims to enhance public safety during Mardi Gras and other parades by penalizing dangerous throwing of objects from parade floats.

Main purpose and intent

  • Establishes a specific crime to deter and punish throwing objects from parade floats in a manner likely to cause injury.
  • Sets graduated penalties based on whether injury occurs and the severity of injury.

Key provisions and changes

  • New statute: R.S. 14:39.3 (Reckless throwing from parade float).
  • Prohibited conduct:
    • It is unlawful to knowingly or negligently throw an object from a parade float in a way that is foreseeable to cause injury to another person.
  • Penalties:
    • No injury: up to $500 fine.
    • Injury occurs (as defined by R.S. 14:2): up to $1,000 fine, up to 6 months imprisonment, or both.
    • Serious bodily injury occurs (as defined by R.S. 14:2): at least $2,000 fine and 1 to 3 years imprisonment, or both.
  • Exceptions:
    • The statute does not prohibit the handing, dropping, or responsible tossing of any item that is not otherwise prohibited by law.
  • Adds a new offense only for reckless throwing from a parade float; does not repeal or alter other parade-related rules beyond this new offense.

Who/what is affected

  • Individuals participating in parades who throw objects from a parade float.
  • Law enforcement and prosecutors, who would apply the new statute in cases where object throwing leads to injury or serious injury.
  • Parade organizers and float operators may face increased liability if their events involve risky activities that could lead to a violation.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Bill history indicates initial actions in 2026:
    • Referred to the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
    • Withdrawn from files on March 16, 2026 (per action history) after previously being referred.
  • Sponsor: Representative Sylvia Taylor (co-sponsor listed).
  • As introduced, the bill adds a new statute rather than amending many existing provisions, implying targeted enforcement related to parade safety.

Potential impact

  • Public safety: Provides a clear legal framework to deter dangerous tossing of objects from floats and to impose penalties proportionate to injury severity.
  • Deterrence: The escalating penalties are intended to deter risky behavior during parades.
  • Operational considerations: Float design and parade supervision may place greater emphasis on ensuring items are safely handled or discarded; potential impact on permissions and safety protocols for parade participants.

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

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