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SB 371

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Creates a public registry for repeat domestic violence offenders. (8/1/26) (EG INCREASE SG EX See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Abraham

Louisiana would create a public Habitual Domestic Violence Offender Registry for third-or-more offenses, requiring offender registration and 10-year public data access online.

Read by title. Committee amendments read and adopted; ordered engrossed and recommitted to the Committee on Finance.
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Bill Summary · SB 371

Summary of SB 371 (Louisiana) – 2026 Regular Session

Purpose and Intent

SB 371 proposes the creation of a public registry, the Habitual Domestic Violence Offender Registry, to track individuals who commit multiple domestic violence offenses against family members, household members, or dating partners. The registry would be operated by the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information (the bureau). The bill originally targeted second or subsequent offenses beginning August 1, 2027, with subsequent amendments changing applicability to third or subsequent offenses and adding an effective start date of August 1, 2026. The registry would be publicly accessible, subject to confidentiality protections for certain data.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Definitions (Chapter 3-H, new R.S. 15:564–564.5):

    • Introduces terms such as bureau, conviction, dating partner, domestic abuse victim, family member, household member, habitual domestic violence offender, online identifier, out-of-state offender, residence, and social networking website.
    • Establishes that offenders listed in the registry are those who have second or subsequent convictions for listed offenses when the victim is a family member, household member, or dating partner.

  • Registration Requirements (R.S. 15:564.1):

    • Offenders with a second or subsequent qualifying conviction (post-August 1, 2027; subject to amendments for 2nd vs 3rd offense) must register as habitual domestic violence offenders.
    • Court-ordered notification: Courts must inform the offender within 3 days of release or as a condition of probation/parole.
    • Court-imposed fine: A $150 fine payable to the clerk of court to defray registration costs, remitted to the bureau within seven days.

  • Registration Process (D- §564.1 & §564.1(D–E)):

    • In-person registration with the parish sheriff; notification to applicable law enforcement (city police or campus police) within 14 days.
    • Within 3 business days of release, the offender must provide comprehensive registration data (names/aliases, addresses, employer/school, proof of residence, convictions, case details, photos, contact numbers, vehicle information, online identifiers, etc.).
    • Information entered into the public registry by the local law enforcement agency.

  • Duration and Duties (§564.2 & §564.3):

    • Registration must be maintained for 10 years from initial registration, unless convictions are reversed or vacated.
    • The bureau will maintain the registry, accept electronic submissions, and provide public access via the internet with search capabilities, while excluding sensitive data (e.g., social security numbers, victims’ names, certain contact details).
    • The bureau may share or search certain data with social networking sites to identify or monitor registered users, subject to privacy safeguards.

  • Public Registry Access and Protections (§564.3):

    • Public access is allowed with special exemptions for sensitive information.
    • The registry can facilitate targeted searches by telephone numbers, emails, or online identifiers to determine linkage to offenders, without disclosing offender identities in search results.

  • Information Sharing and Access (Subsection D):

    • The bureau will maintain an internet site with a disclaimer about accuracy and safety guidance for victims.

  • Penalties for Noncompliance (§564.4):

    • Offenders failing to register or providing false/outdated information, failing to notify authorities, or failing to notify certain departments face penalties up to $1,000 fine and/or up to 1 year imprisonment (probation revocation possible).
    • Affiants who provide false residence information carry penalties up to $500 fine and/or up to 6 months imprisonment.

  • Funding and Effective Date (§564.5):

    • Implementation is subject to legislative appropriations.
    • Effective date stated as August 1, 2026 (with provisions for the administrative enactment).

Who Is Affected

  • Adult residents of Louisiana who receive second or subsequent qualifying domestic violence convictions against family, household members, or dating partners.
  • Offenders released from incarceration or placed on probation/parole under the specified conditions.
  • Local law enforcement (parish sheriffs, city/campus police) responsible for registration and notification duties.
  • The Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information, which would administer the registry and public-access portal.
  • Offenders’ gun safety and privacy considerations are addressed through confidentiality provisions for certain data elements.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill contains phased implementation tied to offense timing (notably August 1, 2027, for second-offender registrations in initial draft; amended to third-offender applicability in Committee amendments).
  • Public registry creation and maintenance would be funded by appropriations.
  • The registry would be publicly accessible online, with exemptions for sensitive data and provisions allowing controlled search capabilities.

Note: The final text includes amendments that shift applicability from second-and-subsequent offenses to third-and-subsequent offenses and remove some offense-specific registration requirements.

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

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