Louisiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana HR322: CRIME/HOMICIDE: Creates the Task Force on Sentencing for Second Degree Murder
Status: Passed both chambers, June 1, 2026
What the bill says
A resolution To create the Task Force on Sentencing for Second Degree Murder to determine the best changes to sentencing for second degree murder.
From the introduced text:
A RESOLUTION To create the Task Force on Sentencing for Second Degree Murder to determine the best changes to sentencing for second degree murder. WHEREAS, second degree murder in Louisiana under R.S. 14:30.1 includes a homicide committed with the specific intent to kill or inflict great bodily harm and a homicide committed without intent during the perpetration or attempted perpetration of certain enumerated felonies, commonly referred to as the "felony murder" doctrine; and WHEREAS, pursuant to R.S. 14:30.1(B), a conviction for second degree murder carries a mandatory, non-discretionary penalty of life imprisonment at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence; and WHEREAS, in many other jurisdictions across the United States, a homicide committed with specific intent or under the felony murder doctrine is classified as first degree murder, whereas second degree murder frequently encompasses lower grades of intent or lacks a mandatory sentence of life without parole eligibility; and WHEREAS, a comprehensive evaluation is necessary to determine whether Louisiana's second degree murder framework conceptually aligns with the legal definitions utilized nationally, and to understand the specific historical and legal justifications for applying a mandatory life sentence without parole eligibility to this category of offense; and WHEREAS, there is currently a lack of centralized, empirical data indicating how many second degree murder indictments and convictions within this …
Sponsors
- Bryant, Marcus (D, 96) · primary sponsor
- Knox, Alonzo (D, 93)
Latest actions
- : Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.
- : Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
- : Read by title, amended, roll called, yeas 58, nays 34. The resolution was adopted.
- : Scheduled for floor debate on 06/01/2026.
- : Read by title, passed to 3rd reading.
- : Discharged from the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
- : Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
- : Read by title. Lies over under the rules.
Votes
- House Vote on HR 322, FINAL CONSIDERATION (#1864) (June 1, 2026): 58 yea, 34 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HR322?
- HR322 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): CRIME/HOMICIDE: Creates the Task Force on Sentencing for Second Degree Murder.
- What does HR322 do?
- In its own words: A resolution To create the Task Force on Sentencing for Second Degree Murder to determine the best changes to sentencing for second degree murder.
- What is the status of HR322?
- Passed both chambers as of June 1, 2026. Latest action: Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House. (June 3, 2026).
- Who sponsored HR322?
- Bryant, Marcus (D, 96), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HR322?
- On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=HR322
Source: official Louisiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.