CRIMINAL/VICTIMS: Extends the time for the creation of the victims' services system pursuant to Act No. 370 of the 2025 Regular Session of the Legislature

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mandie Landry

Urges extending the deadline to create the victims’ services system from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2027 to allow thorough planning and integration.

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

Overview

Bill: HR 296

Session: 2026

Jurisdiction: Louisiana

Title: CRIMINAL/VICTIMS: Extends the time for the creation of the victims' services system pursuant to Act No. 370 of the 2025 Regular Session

Type: House Resolution (non-binding procedural resolution)

Primary sponsor: Rep. Mandie Landry

Status: Read by title and lies over under the rules (as of action history)

Purpose and Intent

The resolution requests the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPSC) to extend the deadline for creating a comprehensive victims’ services system beyond July 1, 2026, as originally set by Act No. 370 (2025 Regular Session).

The underlying rationale is to ensure sufficient time for planning and implementation to develop an integrated system that provides services and information to crime victims and witnesses, while maintaining safety and well-being for victims, witnesses, and their families.

Key Provisions

Extension of deadline: If necessary, extend the creation timeline for the victims’ services system from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2027.

Continued work: Encourages DPSC to continue developing the victims’ services system beyond the original deadline, prioritizing timely progress without sacrificing effectiveness.

Coordination emphasis: Acknowledges collaboration among the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board, DPSC, and the Office of Technology Services in pursuing greater data integration and access to criminal justice information to support the system.

Who Would Be Affected

Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPSC): Primary agency tasked with developing the victims’ services system; the extension directly affects project timelines and resource planning.

Stakeholders and victims/witnesses: Indirectly affected through potential delays or adjustments to the rollout of services and information access designed to aid victims and witnesses in the criminal justice process.

Other criminal justice entities: May benefit from extended planning to improve integration and data sharing across systems.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Legislative action: HR 296 is a House Resolution urging the executive branch to extend the deadline set in Act No. 370 (2025 Regular Session).

Deadline extension: The recommended extension moves the deadline from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2027, if necessary.

Purpose of extension: To enable thorough planning, coordination, and implementation of a comprehensive victims’ services system without compromising system effectiveness.

Potential Impact

Provides flexibility to the DPSC to ensure a high-quality, integrated victims’ services system.

Signals legislative support for thoughtful implementation and data integration across criminal justice agencies.

May influence budgeting and resource allocation within DPSC to accommodate an extended development period.

Summary

HR 296 is a non-binding resolution urging the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections to extend the deadline for creating the state’s victims’ services system from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2027, if necessary. It underscores the importance of careful planning and cross-agency collaboration to deliver an effective, integrated system that serves victims and witnesses, while maintaining safety and timely access to criminal justice information.