SB 156 — CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Increases the maximum period of imprisonment for negligent homicide. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SLS 26RS-478 REENGROSSED Regular Session ENROLLED SENATE BILL NO.

156 BY SENATOR KLEINPETER CRIME/PUNISHMENT.AN ACT To amend and reenact R.S.

Increases the maximum period of imprisonment for negligent homicide.

(8/1/26) AN ACT To amend and reenact R.S.

Negligent homicide * * * C.(1)(a)ExceptasprovidedforinParagraph(2)ofthisSubsection,whoeverC.(1)(a)Exceptasprovidedforin Paragraph(2)ofthisSubsection,whoever commits the crime of negligent homicide shall be imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than ten years, fined not more than five thousand dollars, or imprisoned,imprisoned,withorwithouthardlabor,fornotmorethanfifteenyears,orboth. with or without labor, for not more than fifteen years, or both.

Page(i)Thefatalitywascausedbyaperson 1engaged ofin 3theoperationof,orin Coding:actual physical control of, any motor vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, or other means of conveyance;

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-478 REENGROSSED SB NO.

156 (i)Thefatalitywas caused by aperson engagedintheoperationof,orin actual physical control of, any motor vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, or other means of conveyance;

(2)(a) If the victim killed was under the age of ten thirteen years, the offender shall be imprisoned at hard labor, without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence, for not less than two years nor more than ten fifteentwenty years.

(b) If the court does not order the offender to a term of imprisonment when the following two factors are established, the court shall state, both orally and in writing at the time of sentencing, the reasons for not sentencing the offender to a termPage 1 of imprisonment:2 Coding:

(i) The fatality was caused by a person engaged in the operation of, or in actual physical control of, any motor vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, or other means of conveyance;

and (ii) The offender's blood alcohol concentration contributed to the fatality.

If thevictimwas under theage of thirteen years and the fatality was the resultofcriminallynegligentmistreatment,abuse,orneglect,theoffendershall be imprisoned at hard labor for not less than two years nor more than twenty years.

* * * The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the legislative instrument, were prepared bySenate Legislative Services.

The keyword, summary, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent.

[R.S.

1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] DIGEST SB 156 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Kleinpeter Present law provides that whoever commits the crime of negligent homicide will be sentenced as follows:

(1) When the victim was 10 years of age or older, the offender may be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for 10 years, or both.

(2) When the victim was less than 10 years of age, the offender will be imprisoned at hard labor, without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence, for not less than two years nor more than 10 years.

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SLS 26RS-478 REENGROSSED SB NO.

156 ProposedENROLLED lawterm increases the maximum period of imprisonmentimprisonment: from 10 years to 15 years regardless of the victim's age and otherwise retains present law.

Proposedlawprovidesthatanoffenderwillbeimprisonedathardlaborfornotlessthantwo(i) yearsThe norfatality morewas thancaused 20by yearsa if:person engaged in the operation of, or in actual physical control of, anymotor vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, or other means of conveyance;

(1)and (ii) The victimoffender's wasblood lessalcohol thanconcentration 13contributed yearsto ofthe age.fatality.

(2)* The* death* wasPRESIDENT theOF resultTHE ofSENATE criminallynegligentSPEAKER mistreatment,OF abuse,THE orHOUSE neglect.OF REPRESENTATIVES GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA APPROVED:

EffectivePage August2 1,of 2026.2 Coding:

(Amends 14:32(C)(1) and (2)) Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary C to the original bill 1.

Delete proposed law provision relative to the offender's age.

2.

Reduce the minimum age of the victim for the proposed law enhanced penalty from 17 to 13.

3.

Delete the element of intentional mistreatment, abuse, or neglect from proposed law.

4.

Reduce the proposed law maximum periodofincarcerationfrom40yearsto years.

Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill 1.

Make technical changes.

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