HB 137 — CRIMINAL/SENTENCING: Changes sentencing guidelines for posting or calling in threats to schools (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

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HB NO.

137 ENROLLED (iii) Participation in the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program as provided in R.S.

E.(1) In addition to the dispositions provided in ParagraphParagraphD Dofof this Article, the court shall conduct a hearing in accordance with Code of Criminal Procedure Article 875.1 to make a determination regarding the financial ability of the child's parent, legal guardian, or other person who is financiallyresponsiblefinancially responsible for the care of the child to reimburse the responding agency, local municipality, sheriff's department, or any other governmental agency or political subdivision for all incurred costs pertaining to the response, prosecution, or any other activities that result from a violation of R.S.

Juveniles confined in secureplacement for ananadjudicationassetforth adjudicationassetforth in Paragraph C of this Article shall be eligible for modification after serving twenty-four months of the disposition or if the disposition is less than thirty-six months, one-half of the disposition.

A motion for modification of a disposition shall be filed pursuant to Article910 etseq.andacontradictoryhearingshall besetnosoonerthanthirtydays Pagefrom 5the date of 8notice CODING:to the district attorney.

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HLS 26RS-144 ENGROSSED HB NO.

137 from the date of notice to the district attorney.

(2) The child meets one of the following work or self-improvementcriteria:self-improvement criteria:

(a)Page Has5 attainedof a6 highCODING: school diploma or equivalent.

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HB NO.

137 ENROLLED (a) Has attained a high school diploma or equivalent.

At least six months prior to the release of the child, the department shall prepare an individualized and thorough transitional plan that identifies the techniques, programs, personnel, and facilities thatwillthat beusedtowill assistbe theusedto childassist inthechildin achieving a successful return to his family and the community.

PageSPEAKER 6OF ofTHE 8HOUSE CODING:OF REPRESENTATIVES PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA APPROVED:

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HLS 26RS-144 ENGROSSED HB NO.

137 DIGEST ThedigestprintedbelowwaspreparedbyHouseLegislative Services.

It constitutes nopart of the legislative instrument.

The keyword, one-liner, abstract, 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)] HB 137 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Mike Johnson Abstract:

Increases penalties for terrorizing and menacing when the target is a school.

Present law provides that the crime of terrorizing is the intentional communication that a crime of violence is occurring or imminent with the intent to cause the general public to be in sustained fear for their safety.

Provides a penalty of $15,000 or up to 15 years of imprisonment, or both.

Proposed law increases the penalty for terrorizing a school.

Provides a penalty of $15,000 or five to 15 years of imprisonment without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence, or both.

Present law provides that the crime of menacing is similar to the crime of terrorizing but with a lesser standard of intent.

Provides a penaltyof $1,000 or imprisonment of up to two years, or both.

Proposed law retains present law.

Proposed law increases the penaltyfor menacing a school.

Provides a penaltyof $1,000 or two to five years of imprisonment, or both.

Present law (R.S.

14:92.2) provides a list of crimes which serve as predicate crimes for improper supervision of a minor by a parent or legal custodian.

Proposed law retains present law and adds terrorizing or menacing a school provided in present law (R.S.

14:40.1) and communicating false information of a planned bombing on school property provided in present law (R.S.

14:54.6) as predicate crimes.

Present law (R.S.

15:951) creates the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program.

Proposedlawgenerallyretainspresentlawbut lowerstheageofparticipantsin theprogram from at least 16 years old to at least 14 years old.

Proposed law requires the La.

Dept.

of Education to develop and provide information to schools to inform students and their parents of the expected consequencesfor terrorizing or menacing a school.

Present law (R.S.

17:3996) provides a list of laws from which charter schools are not exempt.

Proposed law retains present law and adds the requirement for charter schools to inform students and parents of the consequences of terrorizing and menacing a school.

Present law provides for disposition after adjudication of certain felony-grade delinquent acts by a juvenile.

Proposed law retains present law.

Proposed law provides that after adjudication for violation of terrorizing or menacing provided in present law (R.S.

14:40.1) or communicating false information of a planned Page 7 of 8 CODING:

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HLS 26RS-144 ENGROSSED HB NO.

137 bombing on school property provided in present law (R.S.

14:54.6), the court shall order a child to undergo a mental examination, up to 12 months probation or up to six months commitmentinajuveniledetentionfacility,and/orparticipationintheBackonTrackYouth Pilot Program.

Proposed law provides that after adjudication for these crimes by a juvenile, the parent or legal guardian is subject to a civil fine of up to $5,000.

Proposed law provides that after a second or subsequent adjudication for these crimes, the court shall order a mental examination, up to 18 months probation or up to nine months commitment, and/or participation in the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program.

Proposed law provides that after a second or subsequent adjudication, the child's parent or legal guardian is subject to a civil fine between $5,000 and $10,000.

Proposed law provides that in addition to these penalties, if the court finds that the parents arefinanciallyable, theyshall reimburse the government agencies and political subdivision forincurredcostspertainingtotheresponse,prosecution,andotheractivitiesresultingfrom the violation.

(Amends R.S.

14:40.1(A)(1), R.S.

15:951(E), and Ch.C.

Art.

897.1(D)-(G);

Adds R.S.

14:40.1(A)(3)and(B)(3)and92.2(A)(2)(g)and(h),R.S.

17:416.20.1 and3996(B)(92),and Ch.C.

Art.

897.1(H) and (I)) Summary of Amendments Adopted by House The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice to the original bill:

1.

Increase the penalty provided in proposed law for the offense of terrorizing directed at a school propertyfrom with or without hard labor to at hard labor for not less than five nor more than 15 years.

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