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SB 345

JUVENILE JUSTICE: Requires the office of juvenile justice to submit an annual report to the legislature. (8/1/26)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Regina Barrow and 2 co-sponsors

Requires OJJ to publish a public annual report detailing prevention, diversion, custody education/health services, demographics, complaints, investigations, and lawsuits.

Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 495.
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Bill Summary · SB 345

Bill Summary: SB 345 (Louisiana, 2026)

Title

Juvenile Justice — Requires the office of juvenile justice to submit an annual report to the legislature.

  • Adds R.S. 15:933.2
  • Effective date: August 1, 2026

Purpose and Intent

SB 345 requires the Secretary of the Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) to produce and submit an annual, public-facing report detailing programs, operations, and outcomes related to juvenile justice in Louisiana. The bill aims to improve legislative oversight, transparency, and accountability by providing comprehensive data about prevention, diversion, custody-related services, and legal processes involving juveniles.

Key Provisions

Annual Report

  • The Secretary of the Office of Juvenile Justice must submit a report on or before February 1 of each year.
  • Recipients of the report:
    • Senate Committee on Judiciary B
    • House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice
    • David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library

Required Contents (minimum elements)

  1. Prevention and Intervention Programs

    • Information on programs available to juveniles, including school-based and community-based initiatives.

  2. Diversion Programs

    • Details on development and the expansion of eligibility for diversion programs.

  3. Custodial Services — Education and Health Access

    • For juveniles in OJJ custody:
      • Educational resources
      • Physical and mental health resources
      • Assessments and treatment

  4. Custodial Population Demographics

    • Number of juveniles in OJJ custody
    • Breakdown by age and by facility

  5. Complaints

    • Number of complaints received from juveniles or their families
    • Breakdown by type of complaint and facility

  6. Investigations

    • Number of investigations conducted in response to reported complaints
    • Status of investigations (e.g., ongoing, resolved) and facility-specific data

  7. Lawsuits

    • Number of lawsuits involving juveniles in custody
    • Case numbers and current status

Stakeholders Affected

  • OJJ: Responsible for compiling and submitting the annual report; will need to gather data across programs, facilities, and complaints.
  • Legislature: Receives annual reports for oversight and policymaking.
  • Judicial Committees (Senate Judiciary B and House Administration of Criminal Justice): Primary recipients; may use information for hearings, budget discussions, and policy reviews.
  • Juveniles in Custody and Families: Indirectly impacted by increased transparency into education, health services, and complaint/investigation processes.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Start date: August 1, 2026 (effective date).
  • Annual reporting deadline: February 1 each year thereafter.
  • Reports must be distributed to the specified legislative committees and the Legislative Research Library.

Additional Notes

  • The Senate Committee on Judiciary B’s amendments add the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice as an additional recipient of the annual report.
  • The bill emphasizes data-driven oversight, with explicit categories for program availability, custodial conditions, and administrative processes (complaints, investigations, lawsuits).

Bottom Line

SB 345 establishes a formal requirement for the Louisiana OJJ to publish a comprehensive annual report starting in 2026, detailing prevention and intervention efforts, diversion programs, educational and health resources for youths in custody, and multiple metrics related to complaints, investigations, and lawsuits. The goal is to enhance transparency, accountability, and informed policymaking regarding juvenile justice.

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

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