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HB 1011

JURY DUTY: Permits jurors to donate their per diem compensation to the formal program of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Bayham and 31 co-sponsors

Allows jurors nationwide to donate all or part of per diem to CASA, with procedures, confidentiality, and funds restricted to CASA advocacy within the district.

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 1011

Summary of HB 1011 (Louisiana, 2026 Session)

Title

Jury Duty: Permits jurors to donate their per diem compensation to the formal program of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

Purpose and Intent

  • To authorize jurors serving in any judicial district court to voluntarily donate all or part of their per diem juror compensation to CASA.
  • To replace the previous pilot-program framework (limited to the 19th Judicial District Court) with a broader authorization applicable to any judicial district court.
  • To ensure donations are used exclusively to support CASA’s mission in court-related advocacy for abused and neglected children within the respective judicial district.

Key Provisions

Donations by Jurors

  • Jurors may voluntarily donate their per diem compensation to CASA.
  • The donation option must be provided to jurors during jury orientation or at another appropriate point in the juror service process.
  • The clerk of court in the applicable judicial district must establish procedures for:
    • Collection of donated per diem and timely distribution to CASA.
    • Donor acknowledgment and adherence to financial management standards.
    • A form explaining CASA’s mission and offering the voluntary, tax-deductible donation option.

Handling and Confidentiality

  • The Juror Office (the office that administers juror services) is responsible for consolidating donated per diems and sending a monthly check to CASA.
  • The Juror Office must provide CASA with the names, addresses, and donation amounts of participating jurors to enable mailed tax-deductible receipts.
  • Information provided by the Juror Office to CASA must remain confidential and not be subject to public records disclosure.

CASA Designation and Use of Funds

  • Donations must be designated for CASA’s court-related advocacy.
  • Donations are to be used exclusively to support CASA’s mission within the jurisdiction of the relevant judicial district.

Public Records Exemption

  • The information shared with CASA (names, addresses, and donation amounts) is exempt from public records requirements.

Affected Parties

  • Jurors participating in jury service in Louisiana (across all judicial districts).
  • Clerks of court in each judicial district court.
  • The Juror Office (the court system unit that manages juror information and payments).
  • The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program operating within the respective judicial districts.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The measure standardizes the donation process across all judicial districts (not just the 19th JDC).
  • It requires established procedures for collection, distribution, donor acknowledgment, and compliance with financial standards.
  • It mandates monthly disbursements from the Juror Office to CASA and the dissemination of tax-deductible receipts to donors.
  • It provides confidentiality protections for donor information and public-records exemptions for donated data.
  • The bill reframes the prior “pilot program” from the 19th JDC as a statewide authority for juror per diem donations to CASA.

Summary Focus

HB 1011 expands and formalizes a voluntary mechanism for jurors to support CASA by donating per diem compensation, with clear procedural safeguards, confidentiality protections, and a requirement that funds be used exclusively for CASA activities within the respective judicial district.

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

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