Bill
HB 579
HB 579 strengthens survivor rights by ensuring clear notification of rights, extending sexual assault kit preservation, and broadening confidentiality protections for vulnerable vi
HB 579 (2026) — Louisiana
Summary: Sexual Assault Survivor Bill of Rights
Purpose and intent
- The bill builds on the existing Sexual Assault Survivor Bill of Rights by enhancing privacy protections and extending certain rights related to sexual assault cases and survivors.
- It aims to clarify and add specific rights for survivors, particularly regarding confidentiality, notification of rights, and access to evidence preservation.
Key provisions and changes
1) Rights related to sexual assault collection kits
- Amends current law to replace the term “unreported sexual assault collection kit” with “sexual assault collection kit.”
- Requires the kit to be preserved without charge for at least 20 years, and for a longer period if required by state law or policy.
- This preserves the survivor’s ability to access or request preservation of the kit for investigative or legal purposes.
2) Notification of rights
- Adds a specific right for sexual assault survivors to be notified of all rights contained in the Sexual Assault Survivor Bill of Rights.
- This ensures survivors are informed about the range of protections and options available to them.
3) Confidentiality and protection for vulnerable victims
- Section W (Confidentiality) expands protections for victims who are minors (under 18) and victims of sex offenses or human trafficking-related offenses.
- Public officials, agencies, law enforcement, district attorneys, clerks of court, and others shall not publicly disclose the name, address, contact information, or identity of these victims, regardless of when the offense occurred.
- The confidentiality can be waived by the victim.
- Exceptions exist: confidentiality does not apply in certain homicide-related cases or related sex offenses/human trafficking cases where the death of the victim is involved.
4) Procedural and oversight elements
- Creates a mechanism for complaints about violations of confidentiality or other rights to be submitted to specified legislative oversight committees (Senate Select Committee on Women and Children or House Select Committee on Women and Children) for review.
- Section 2 directs STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant funds to be used to update and provide information about the required notices. This must be done in consultation with sexual assault service providers and approved by the Louisiana Sexual Assault Oversight Commission.
Affected parties and impacts
- Sexual assault survivors: gain explicit right to be notified of their rights and enhanced protection regarding the preservation of their sexual assault collection kit.
- Minors and victims of sex offenses or human trafficking: receive strengthened confidentiality protections from public disclosure by public officials and agencies.
- Public agencies and officials (including law enforcement, district attorneys, clerks of court, and state departments): subject to new confidentiality obligations and notification obligations.
- Oversight bodies and funding/programs: guidance and funding adjustments to ensure compliance and information dissemination.
Timeline and procedural notes
- The amendments modify and reenact sections of R.S. 46:1844 and 1845 to implement the new rights and confidentiality provisions.
- If enacted, agencies must begin implementing the new rights and confidentiality standards, with oversight provisions for complaints.
- Section 2 directs the use of STOP grant funds for updating notices, pending approval by the Louisiana Sexual Assault Oversight Commission.
Notes
- The bill includes several House Committee amendments to refine and implement the rights, confidentiality scope, and oversight mechanisms.
- The sponsor is Rep. Vanessa LaFleur (co-sponsor), with amendments addressing specific statutory references and procedural details.
Overall, HB 579 strengthens survivor rights by ensuring clear notification of rights, extending the preservation window for sexual assault kits, and broadening confidentiality protections for vulnerable victims, while establishing oversight and funding provisions to support implementation.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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