Bill
HB 124
HB 124 reshapes DVPC by adding judges with criminal/family law experience to its membership and removing the ATF representative.
HB 124 (2026, Louisiana) – Summary
Purpose
- To modify the membership composition of the Domestic Violence Prevention Commission (DVPC) and remove a current position from its membership. The bill aims to adjust who serves on the commission, potentially affecting expertise and perspectives guiding domestic violence policy in Louisiana.
Key Provisions
- Membership changes (R.S. 46:2146):
- The DVPC will continue to have nineteen members, but the specific makeup is revised.
- New proposed memberships:
- One current or former district court judge with experience in criminal law matters, selected by the president of the Louisiana District Court Judges Association.
- One current or former district court judge with experience in family law matters, selected by the president of the Louisiana District Court Judges Association.
- The bill retains the general framework that the commission is composed largely of district court judges and related officials, but expands eligibility to include judges with criminal law experience and judges with family law experience, each selected by the presidents of the Louisiana District Court Judges Association.
- Removal of a member:
- The representative from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is removed from the DVPC membership.
- Repeal:
- The bill repeals one of the existing subdivision designations (R.S. 46:2146(A)(1)(p)) as part of the broader amendment to the statute.
Administrative and procedural notes
- The amendments are described as amendments and reenactments of the current statute, with technical corrections noted in the House’s committee amendments.
- The bill’s digest indicates that the core substantive change is reconfiguring who can serve (criminal law and family law judge experience) and removing the ATF representative.
- The bill retains the general purpose of the DVPC (to address domestic violence prevention) but shifts the expertise pool toward judges with criminal and family law backgrounds.
Potential Impact
- Expertise shift: By adding judges with criminal law and family law experience as mandatory or recommended members (selected by the District Court Judges Association), the DVPC may gain greater judicial insight into criminal proceedings and family-related domestic violence matters.
- Representation change: Removing the ATF representative reduces the presence of a federal law enforcement agency perspective on the commission; the bill does not appear to replace that seat with another non-judicial stakeholder, so the overall composition becomes more judiciary-focused.
- Policy implications: With adjusted membership, recommended or mandated advisory inputs to state domestic violence policy, prevention, and coordination efforts may reflect more courtroom-centered expertise, potentially influencing recommendations, training, and program development.
Who is affected
- The DVPC’s composition and leadership decisions are directly affected.
- The Louisiana District Court Judges Association will play a key role in selecting two new members.
- The ATF representative position is eliminated, reducing federal agency involvement in DVPC activities.
Timeline and process
- The bill was passed by the House and moved through committee processes in the 2026 Regular Session, with stated amendments for technical alignment. If enacted, changes would take effect upon the statute’s effective date (not specified in the provided text).
Overall, HB 124 updates DVPC membership to emphasize criminal and family law judicial expertise while removing the ATF representative, aiming to align domestic violence prevention efforts with judicial perspectives.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
