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Bill

SR 177

LAW ENFORCEMENT: Requests the Louisiana Commission of Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice to study and make recommendations regarding lethal assessment protocols for peace officers.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Beth Mizell

Louisiana would study whether statewide lethal assessment protocols for peace officers are feasible and beneficial, including standards, training, and data practices.

Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate and sent to the Secretary of State by the Secretary of the Senate on 6/2/2026.
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Bill Summary · SR 177

Overview

Senate Resolution 177 (SR 177) from the 2026 Regular Session in Louisiana requests the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Criminal Justice (the Commission) to study and make recommendations regarding the development, adoption, and implementation of lethal assessment protocols for peace officers in Louisiana. The resolution speaks to evaluating whether statewide standards should be adopted to help peace officers assess imminent danger in high-risk encounters.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes a formal study to determine the feasibility, benefits, and potential implementation of lethal assessment protocols for peace officers.
  • Aims to improve officer decision-making, enhance victim safety, and potentially reduce fatal encounters during critical incidents (e.g., domestic violence, mental health crises, escalating threats).
  • Seeks to determine whether uniform statewide standards, training requirements, and data practices are appropriate for Louisiana.

Key Provisions / What the Study Would Consider

The resolution directs the Commission to include, at minimum, the following in its study:

  1. Review of Existing Models

    • Domestic violence lethality assessments.
    • Crisis-intervention frameworks.
    • Threat-assessment tools used in other states.

  2. Training Needs

    • Curriculum development.
    • Certification processes.
    • Continuing education for officers.

  3. Data Collection and Privacy

    • Reporting requirements.
    • Privacy considerations.
    • How data would integrate with existing criminal justice databases.

  4. Stakeholder Consultation

    • Engage sheriffs, police chiefs, district attorneys.
    • Involve victim-advocacy organizations and mental-health professionals.

  5. Statutory/Regulatory Changes

    • Identify changes needed to implement statewide standards if pursued.

  6. Reporting

    • A written report detailing findings and recommendations to the Senate Committee on Judiciary B.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Peace officers and the agencies that employ them (sheriffs’ offices, city police departments, and other law enforcement agencies).
  • The Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Criminal Justice, which would conduct the study.
  • Stakeholders in the criminal justice and victim-services communities, including prosecutors and mental-health professionals.
  • The general public, insofar as the potential adoption of statewide protocols could impact encounters with the police and related safety and privacy considerations.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • The Commission is tasked with completing the study and submitting a written report to the Senate Committee on Judiciary B.
  • Deadline for the report: no later than February 1, 2027.
  • The resolution authorizes transmission of a copy to the chairman of the Commission.

Practical Considerations and Potential Impacts

  • If the study recommends statewide lethal assessment protocols, Louisiana may consider adopting uniform standards, training, and data collection practices for officer safety and civilian protection.
  • Possible changes could involve legislative or regulatory amendments to codify standards, training curricula, and data-sharing protocols.
  • The focus remains on feasibility and non-binding guidance unless further legislative action is taken to implement standards.

Note: As a Senate resolution, SR 177 directs study and reporting rather than creating immediate law or imposing new requirements, though its findings could inform future legislation or policy adoption.

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

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