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SB 320

LAW ENFORCEMENT: Provides relative to DNA detection of sexual and violent offenses. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mandie Landry and 1 co-sponsor

Louisiana creates a centralized CODIS hit tracking system, led by the State Police, to monitor unresolved DNA matches within 90 days and improve cross-jurisdictional investigation.

Effective date 8/1/2026.
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Bill Summary · SB 320

Summary of Bill SB 320 (Louisiana, 2026 Regular Session)

Title: LAW ENFORCEMENT: Provides relative to DNA detection of sexual and violent offenses. (Effective 8/1/2026)

Sponsor: Senator Mizell (Co-sponsor: Beth Mizell)

Jurisdiction: Louisiana

Status: Introduced; as of the latest action, passed Senate floor; reference to engrossed, third reading, and final passage occurred in April 2026.

Effective Date: August 1, 2026

Added Statute: Adds R.S. 15:605.1

1) Main Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a centralized system to track outstanding CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) hits related to sexual and violent offenses.
  • Improve accountability and speed in investigating leads from CODIS hits, ensuring unresolved leads do not languish and that future prosecutions or exonerations are not delayed or forgotten.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • Central Repository

    • The Louisiana State Police (LSP) shall serve as the central repository for tracking outstanding CODIS hits statewide.
    • The LSP shall create and operate a statewide outstanding CODIS hit tracking system.
    • The LSP may contract with public or private entities (including software/technology providers) to build and maintain the system.

  • Definitions (new in statute)

    • CODIS Hit: A confirmed database match that aids a criminal investigation and involves one or more unsolved cases.
    • CODIS Hit Notification: Formal communication from a CODIS-participating lab to a criminal justice agency when a DNA profile match from an unsolved case is found in CODIS.
    • CODIS Hit Resolution: Steps taken by an agency to determine the lead’s probative value and act on it (e.g., collecting/ref submission of reference DNA from the associated individual, if applicable).
    • Outstanding CODIS Hit: A CODIS hit that has been notified but not resolved within 90 days of receipt.

  • System Features and Capabilities

    • Track status of CODIS hits not resolved within 90 days.
    • Allow agencies to update and track status of outstanding hits.
    • Use electronic technology for continuous access.
    • Enable cross-jurisdictional data sharing among law enforcement agencies.

  • Implementation and Participation

    • Phased implementation permitted to accommodate regional or volume-based rollout.
    • All relevant agencies must participate and provide required information no later than January 1, 2027. This includes:
    • CODIS-participating laboratories
    • Investigating law enforcement agencies
    • District Attorneys’ offices
    • Agencies aiding in identification of missing persons and human remains

  • Reporting Requirements

    • After implementation, the LSP must submit an annual report on the statewide tracking system by July 31 each year to:
    • Senate Committee on Judiciary C
    • House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice
    • Governor
    • David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library
    • The report must be publicly posted on the LSP website and include:
    • Total number of outstanding CODIS hits statewide and by jurisdiction
    • Number of new outstanding CODIS hits added during the reporting period (statewide and by jurisdiction)
    • Total number of outstanding CODIS hits resolved (statewide and by jurisdiction)
    • For reporting purposes, an outstanding CODIS hit is assigned to the jurisdiction of both:
    • The CODIS-participating laboratory that processed the evidence
    • The criminal justice agency that submitted the evidence

  • Rules and Oversight

    • The LSP may adopt rules as necessary to implement the statute.

3) Who and What is Affected

  • Primary Responsible Entity: Louisiana State Police (LSP) as the central CODIS tracking authority.
  • Participants Required to Engage:
    • CODIS-participating laboratories
    • Investigating law enforcement agencies
    • District Attorneys’ offices
    • Agencies assisting in the identification of missing persons and human remains
  • Geographic and Functional Impact:
    • All law enforcement and related criminal justice agencies within Louisiana that handle CODIS hits, with data sharing across jurisdictions.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Implementation Timeline
    • Phased implementation permitted; full participation required by January 1, 2027.
  • Reporting Timeline
    • Annual report due by July 31 of each year after implementation.
    • Reports publicly posted on the LSP website.
  • Data and Transparency
    • Annual public reporting of statewide and jurisdictional counts of outstanding, added, and resolved CODIS hits.
    • Clear assignment of outstanding hits to the relevant jurisdictions as per statute.

5) Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Pros
    • Improves accountability and transparency in CODIS-hit investigations.
    • Helps prevent unresolved leads from being buried under caseloads.
    • Facilitates cross-jurisdictional collaboration and faster investigative progress.
  • Considerations
    • Resource needs for system development, maintenance, and training across agencies.
    • Data privacy and inter-agency data-sharing safeguards (not specified in the summary but typically a consideration in cross-jurisdictional systems).
    • Ensuring timely participation and compliance by all required agencies by the 2027 deadline.

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

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