The House Criminal Justice Committee of the Louisiana Legislature convened on May 28, 2025, to discuss several significant legislative proposals, primarily focusing on juvenile justice reforms. The meeting commenced with a motion by Representative Wally to report Senate Bill 135 favorably, which was approved without objections.

The committee then turned its attention to Senate Bill 165, introduced by Chairman Greg Miller. This bill aims to govern the juvenile justice district and includes the addition of Lafourche Parish to the existing juvenile justice framework. The proposal seeks to establish a multi-parish approach to juvenile pre-adjudication detention, modeled after successful initiatives in the Florida parishes.

Senator Onyebel highlighted the importance of collaboration among parishes, emphasizing that the addition of Lafourche would strengthen efforts to address juvenile justice issues. The bill also addresses governance changes, including adjustments to board appointments to ensure effective management without increasing the board's size.

During discussions, concerns were raised regarding Lafourche Parish's existing juvenile justice program and the potential impact of the new governance structure. Representative Fontenot proposed several amendments aimed at ensuring local representation on the board and protecting Lafourche residents from potential tax increases related to the new facility. He emphasized the need for community input before any tax levies could be enacted.

The committee debated the implications of these amendments, particularly one that would restrict the ability of Lafourche Parish to levy new taxes for the facility. After thorough discussion, the committee adopted a set of amendments while excluding the controversial tax amendment, which was later brought back for a separate vote.

Ultimately, the committee voted to report Senate Bill 165 as amended, with a commitment from Chairman Miller to continue addressing concerns raised by committee members. The meeting concluded with a call for ongoing collaboration to ensure the legislation meets the needs of all involved parties.