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HB 1109

VETERANS: Provides relative to the Post-Conviction Veterans Mentor Program (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Raymond Crews

Establishes a post-conviction Veterans Mentor Program to rehabilitate incarcerated veterans, with a three-year pilot, oversight, and mandated reporting.

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
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Bill Summary · HB 1109

Summary: HB 1109 (Louisiana, 2026) — Post-Conviction Veterans Mentor Program

Prepared as a clear, nonpartisan overview of the bill’s purpose, key provisions, affected parties, and timelines.

1) Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes and expands the Post-Conviction Veterans Mentor Program, a rehabilitative initiative aimed at incarcerated veterans to reduce recidivism and promote public safety.
  • Authorizes a pilot program to study effectiveness, with formal reporting and potential revisions based on findings.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

Establishment and Administration

  • The Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C), with assistance from the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA), is empowered to establish and implement the Post-Conviction Veterans Mentor Program.
  • DPS&C and LDVA must adopt regulations and guidelines necessary for administration, implementation, and funding, subject to available resources.
  • Creation of a Veterans Oversight Committee to provide guidance and supervision of the program.

Definitions

  • Adds clarifications for who qualifies as a veteran and defines a “Veterans transitional work facility,” aligning its status with existing work-release and rehabilitation facilities.

Eligibility and Participation (Post-Conviction Veterans Mentor Program)

  • Offenders incarcerated may be considered for the program if they meet comprehensive eligibility criteria (with several conditions detailed in the bill).
  • Important eligibility changes (new or clarified criteria):
    • Offenders convicted of violent crimes or sex offenses may be eligible.
    • Minimum age eligibility lowered from 40 to 30 years old.
    • For life-sentenced offenders: joint consent required from the convicting district attorney for participation.
  • Mandatory prerequisites for participation:
    • Completion of required programming, absence of major disciplinary offenses in the prior 36 months, completion of minimum prerelease programming (if available), attainment of a high school equivalency, and a “low risk” designation from a validated risk assessment (waivers possible with warden’s written reasons).
  • Parole and pardon considerations:
    • After three successful years in the Veterans Transitional Work Program, eligible offenders may receive a parole hearing. For life sentences: after five successful years, a pardon hearing is possible. If a sentence is subsequently reduced to a fixed term, parole eligibility follows standard rules.
    • If parole is granted and later revoked, the offender is not eligible to participate in the program again.
  • Program participation requirements:
    • Ongoing participation in programming approved by the Veterans Oversight Committee, DPS&C, and LDVA.
    • Electronic monitoring may be required.
  • Liability and discipline:
    • Offenders bear liability for their actions; the department provides indemnity for actions tied to program participation, within legal bounds.
    • Violations may lead to disciplinary sanctions, including removal from the program.

Mentorship, Jobs, and Facilities

  • During participation, offenders may serve as mentors in Veterans Court probation programs or related transitional work settings, and may participate in a business industry vocational program with court approval.
  • Veterans Transitional Work Facilities:
    • These facilities support mentors and veterans with rehabilitation potential and may be used to provide services to participants and host jurisdictions (parish jails).

Pilot Program and Reporting

  • Authorized to create a pilot program to evaluate effectiveness, with a minimum duration of three years.
  • Semiannual reporting requirements to the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs:
    • Reports due February 15 and July 15 of each year the pilot operates.
    • Required data: number of veteran offenders participating, disciplinary offenses, corrective measures, total class participation hours, participating jurisdictions, and other relevant information.
  • Post-pilot: A full synopsis and potential legislative or regulatory revisions to be provided to the House Special Committee.

3) Who Is Affected

  • Incarcerated veterans eligible for the program and those who meet updated eligibility criteria.
  • DPS&C (administrator) and LDVA (partner) responsible for program operations and guidance.
  • Veterans Oversight Committee (new) providing governance.
  • District Attorneys (life-sentence consent for participation) and parole/pardon authorities.
  • Veterans Court probation programs and parish jails hosting transitional work facilities.

4) Timelines and Process

  • Pilot program: To run for at least three years.
  • Semiannual reporting: Begins during pilot operation, due February 15 and July 15 in each year of operation.
  • Post-pilot determinations: DPS&C and LDVA must provide a full synopsis to the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs to consider revisions.
  • Implementation: Regulations and guidelines to be developed and adopted prior to or in conjunction with program rollout, subject to funding availability.

5) Fiscal and Procedural Notes

  • Implementation contingent on available funds (internal or external).
  • Repeals and amendments to existing statutes are included to align with the new program structure (specific sections listed in the bill).

If you’d like, I can provide a section-by-section redline-style comparison or a plain-language FAQ for community stakeholders.

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

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