[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6224137,"mediaKeyId","3554444-77cb053164ca15263c03eb88da82685e","parentId",3554444,"title","Louisiana committee adopts bill criminalizing intentional infection of incurable STIs; advocates and public health experts urge caution","audioSeconds",4496,"startMs",123000,"endMs",4619000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3554444-77cb053164ca15263c03eb88da82685e&start=123&end=4619","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3554444-77cb053164ca15263c03eb88da82685e/thumbnail_123000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6224137/Louisiana/Louisiana-committee-adopts-bill-criminalizing-intentional-infection-of-incurable-STIs-advocates-and-public-health-experts-urge-caution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224137-86352a391f23dce4e32ecfd3ef04dd3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135135&Signature=Ardv4~qMnISMyppI1WoM~zp0eaZ0qDcnHt2arj0fH1uyHEJ8Qp8lQfwYnuV28Nq9LPiG2I~O~OATrg3U~EuU1dm56m63Niq3n86Vw3AomX0ODj-Lw0jNOkLU20sYP8z7CTT7BgOtPbDRKTLmIWGScJ6-inhx0-WDfqArS2KMTqmzEkbYO-nVMDiFbOX-3tfrFOiJjzFQl-KoQTKLH0DJxWP~PumKUB9EmyMtgX6KAoDgkHfwe5GCkKhgXXp1QOpYnlPbeuYvUj-8Yk4jmu12tghiwhsvLa3SyYO68EQEc1hLfRqH2wX8h8m-IlaM17bhqX9SVROUDA8OzvOx8xj~Hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-05-28T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Mandie Moore advanced HB 76 through the House Criminal Justice Committee on a 7–5 vote, asking members to criminalize knowingly and intentionally infecting another person with an incurable sexually transmitted infection (STI).

“It is someone who knowingly and intentionally infected someone with these incurable diseases,” Representative Mandie Moore said when describing the amendment she offered to replace the word “exposed” with “infected.” The committee adopted the amendment and later voted to report the bill as amended.

The bill’s author and supporters said the statute is meant to target people who deliberately withhold a diagnosis and then transmit an incurable infection, not to punish accidental or unknown transmission. Moore told the committee she considered existing statutes, including second‑degree battery and HIV specific statutes, and sought narrow language to address intentional acts and to provide “justice” for victims.

Opponents — including criminal defense attorneys, public‑health advocates and physicians — urged the committee to slow the bill’s progress or to craft narrower definitions before it advanced. Megan Garvey of the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers said, “I think this bill is problematic,” pointing to evidentiary, privacy and constitutional concerns such as how prosecutors would prove who infected whom and how intent would be established.

Public‑health witnesses warned that treating multiple infections the same way would have disparate effects. Lauren Jewett, an educator, testified that codifying broad criminal penalties for several different incurable infections could “further stigmatize people who live with and responsibly manage incurable SCIs like HSV and HPV” and could discourage testing. Physician Isolde Butler testified about diagnostic limits for herpes and HPV and said routine STI screening generally does not detect those infections for most people.

Several committee members pressed the author on penalties and scope. Representative Knox asked about statutory penalties in the bill — “fine not more than $1,000 and imprisonment not more than 6 months” — and whether those would remain; Moore said the bill follows penalties comparable to existing second‑degree battery/HIV statutes. Knox and others said the listed penalties felt low for what they described as serious harms, but did not propose a specific change on the floor.

Survivors and advocates offered contrasting testimony. Millicent Foster, who said she has lived with HIV for 23 years and had been undetectable for most of that time, told the committee that despite disclosing her status she had been threatened with prosecution and said criminalization could harm people who disclose. Victims who spoke urged stronger protections and quicker pathways for prosecution in clearly intentional cases.

Committee action and next steps: the committee reconsidered and withdrew an earlier amendment set, adopted a committee amendment that replaces “exposure” with “infection,” and then voted to report HB 76 as amended. The committee recorded the motion to report the bill as amended; the clerk announced “Let HB 76 be reported as amended.” The measure will move to the House calendar with the adopted amendment in place.

The record shows sustained disagreement about definitions of intent, diagnostic capability to prove directionality, and the public‑health consequences of criminalizing broad classes of STIs. Several witnesses and members urged additional drafting work, clearer definitions of “intentional,” and care to avoid chilling testing and treatment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Criminal Justice May 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Mandie Moore asked the House Criminal Justice Committee to report HB 76 — a bill that would criminalize intentionally infecting another person with an incurable sexually transmitted infection — and the committee adopted an amendment changing “exposed” to “infected” before voting to report the bill as amended.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature LA, Louisiana","taxId",78558,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6224123,"House committee rejects bill criminalizing intentional release of self‑spreading pathogens after scientific and civil‑liberties concerns",1536,11139000,12675000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3554444-77cb053164ca15263c03eb88da82685e&start=11139&end=12675","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3554444-77cb053164ca15263c03eb88da82685e/thumbnail_11139000.jpg","/articles/6224123/Louisiana/House-committee-rejects-bill-criminalizing-intentional-release-of-selfspreading-pathogens-after-scientific-and-civilliberties-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224123-83fdc7af870cfcfead98720cf208cd37/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135135&Signature=iINRkmKyXXFZFKZQZIWtUxw37ba-7a75pRVsIskO-IC4vsbZRtrjl2mq6k7f5wEFsT61UzmLppaGn5K5c-OTAAGL63JLx6oZJfOR5t1C-duc~x9t-odeSLFjgP8eeJLoXxycJ5nTzxWnc3imXvs0aQsvI4nzn3XuxRCQftIBSCCUmwr7tlejaZ1N5pEnvB2gTCPHSoUZWyHDJa-uxruKmAJVyxn8mHmq8Fw6dPCfFGI6kIoIRQKX93INP45GbRC8-pTJimkBVvvjgHqYtdWp1gu0dUxlynRe5x0dLJMT5~XNUHlYY6zYVGlqFBCvbRhGA7NxBzVswz2SqDkDgl6l5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Amadei brought HB 419 to the committee seeking a narrowly tailored statute to criminalize intentionally releasing engineered, self‑spreading pathogens — a category the bill described as viruses or bacteria designed to self‑disseminate and self‑replicate.

The bill’s sponsor said the measure would protect bodily autonomy and would not halt research or lawful use of medical products where informed consent is obtained. He described hypothetical delivery modes such as aerosolizing a self‑spreading vaccine via building HVAC systems or contaminating a water supply and said the measure targets intentional release without consent.

Supporters including Jill Hines of Health Freedom Louisiana said the law would fill a gap in state statute and guard against misuse of emerging biotechnology. Hines told the committee such pathogens “present an unprecedented bioethical and biosecurity risk” and that state law did not currently criminalize intentional release in a way that directly addresses engineered, self‑spreading agents.

Opponents raised scientific and legal objections. Zach Daniels of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association cautioned that distinguishing engineered pathogens from naturally occurring agents could be legally and scientifically fraught, and that existing statutes (battery, homicide, bioterrorism federal statutes) may already address intentional release that causes harm. Other witnesses warned the bill’s language could cast too broad a net, potentially criminalizing ordinary conduct if left imprecise.

Because committee members worried about ambiguity in technical definitions, Representative Amadei agreed to an amendment proposed in committee that replaced the word “expose” with “release” to clarify the targeted conduct. Despite that change, the committee voted on the motion to report the bill; the clerk announced the roll call and the committee vote failed, with 2 yeas and 10 nays.

Outcome: HB 419 was not reported out of committee (motion to report failed). Members who opposed asked for more drafting and clarity on definitions, interaction with federal law and how proof of a pathogen’s engineered origin would be established in court.

Next steps: the author and members signaled willingness to continue research and stakeholder consultation; the committee recorded testimony and the failed vote on the floor record.","HB 419, which would criminalize intentionally releasing engineered, self‑spreading pathogens without informed consent, failed to pass the committee after opponents cited detection, federal preemption and due‑process issues; the author agreed to an amendment changing ‘expose’ to ‘release’ but committee ultimately voted down reporting the bill.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6224128,"River Parishes juvenile justice district bill amended to add Lafourche and protections for local funding",4923,4776000,9699000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3554444-77cb053164ca15263c03eb88da82685e&start=4776&end=9699","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3554444-77cb053164ca15263c03eb88da82685e/thumbnail_4776000.jpg","/articles/6224128/Louisiana/River-Parishes-juvenile-justice-district-bill-amended-to-add-Lafourche-and-protections-for-local-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224128-680e54473c12a6d0e361e9aaffeda5cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135135&Signature=D2hFLshrgr-a5cYFLnuXTnQ8HfT585Ter28SanQuN2O~hDM6iYVq5O7~bp1oJNnMayP~176jDrByheXvQZY9xHacBGGjxcd8bzBQyGABi52etXiRAsUnkt5tofNJcaTewJj~DaM~VbC7u8ulRStjMz~128WdedUo8RhPBALCQHecG~mECtYscRiEXiGf2l-yOTuXcW6L9P4Phzhoj0qXlcJe-Ugi5cFOlWSYXm97J90uwVgt8EOtjZFbX9B07HLfehlZmMkhQoxoLZzdD4N6AdJQU4w-aBPbah4gRC1jrVqe6D1l7mWeCax2X-Yxbmv2hYQW~1e7JFyk62qH5lSmdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 165, authored by Senator Greg Miller, would expand the River Parishes juvenile justice district to include Lafourche Parish. The committee adopted a set of amendments addressing governance, funding and local representation before reporting the bill as amended.

Miller described the bill as a regional approach modeled on the Florida Parishes Juvenile Justice District, aimed at pooling resources for pre‑adjudication detention and rehabilitation services. Sheriff Craig Webber of Lafourche sought inclusion of his parish and told the committee the region had applied for a grant to construct a facility.

Representative Fontenot pressed the author on funding and local control. He said Lafourche has existing juvenile facilities and raised concerns about imposing new taxes or shifting millage without local consent. The committee adopted amendments (amendment set 3,182) that, among other things, require that one commissioner appointed by Lafourche’s sheriff or other named local authority be drawn from the Lafourche Parish Juvenile Justice Commission and clarify that the district may use existing ad valorem taxes levied and collected in Lafourche as of June 1, 2025, subject to rededication by a majority vote in Lafourche.

The amendment package also clarified employment relationships so that the district’s employees and any superintendent would be employed directly by the River Parishes Juvenile Justice Commission and adjusted election timing so district elections align with gubernatorial or congressional primary dates. Committee members discussed a cited federal grant reportedly around $36 million that Lafourche had applied for to build a regional facility; members asked the commission and local governments to avoid raising new taxes and to work with parish stakeholders on siting and operations.

Outcome: the committee adopted the amendment set and reported SB 165 as amended. Supporters said regionalization would concentrate expertise and keep youths closer to families; critics urged guarantees of local input, an explicit role for existing Lafourche juvenile authorities, and protections against unanticipated tax increases.","SB 165, expanding the River Parishes juvenile justice district and adding Lafourche Parish, was amended to include Lafourche commissioners, clarify employment of staff by the commission, and protect Lafourche taxpayers by allowing rededication of existing millage. The committee reported the bill as amended.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6224132,"Panel tightens electronic‑monitoring rules after high‑profile failures; advocates and defenders spar over due process",2995,6920000,9915000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3554444-77cb053164ca15263c03eb88da82685e&start=6920&end=9915","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3554444-77cb053164ca15263c03eb88da82685e/thumbnail_6920000.jpg","/articles/6224132/Louisiana/Panel-tightens-electronicmonitoring-rules-after-highprofile-failures-advocates-and-defenders-spar-over-due-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224132-a4719fa53e4ab14e0eba7d7140cd5e32/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135135&Signature=VdVZNN190CtQgIgbpdgz~EyNvbxmKmLZCEPmxWIcOXKsW82QPzn8gES9X0n0NR9N7ZTPQ-A8b3IKbEIISZMF6TCuhU~as2qmkXcqF91aDPwdQagmhr1qH-MExwpET45~tX02-sZfwxGVO5UfJExBtpVBgQAQAPQW5Lo2nGgL0CMpa8q7XBcE4ws0-VHVJpvMDmjiSTpGQEIjylddMAssv8myqizSsCpiTVSUUAbP8mRRJJ8PttDuRudwO-4qMO7k8E1ygVO9mfmJY~0DE8ttZrdw~FLn2kDg88Xo-aAsUTf1RtokRUbcMU0cFL-1q29PcVhA17eoHbKxj3iNINHr7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 95, introduced by Senator Bethany Cloud, cleared the committee as amended after lawmakers adopted a package of provisions aimed at tightening oversight of electronic monitoring providers and speeding notification of violations.

The committee adopted amendments that add district attorneys and law enforcement as formal recipients of monitoring reports, change the reporting time for equipment issues to “immediately, but in no event longer than 30 minutes,” and permit courts to waive monitoring costs for juveniles at the court’s discretion. The clerk read the amendment set into the record and the chair called for no objections; the amendments were adopted.

Deputy Attorney General Larry Freeman and Christopher Walters, deputy executive counsel to the governor, described repeated monitoring failures tied to major crimes and homicides in prior years and argued the state needs stronger reporting, provider certification and penalties for negligent operators. Freeman said the bill was drafted with input from multiple stakeholders to tighten notice and enforcement requirements.

Providers and victim advocates supported stronger rules. Jill Dennis of the Association of Supervised Monitoring Providers said the measure would promote accountability and cited cases where missed reports or court inaction preceded violent crimes. Survivor Bridal Peterson urged “real time alerts” to improve victim safety and better coordination among providers, courts and law enforcement.

Defense groups and juvenile advocates urged guardrails to protect due process. Megan Garvey of the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Lauren Hall of the Louisiana Center for Children's Rights warned that the bill, as written, could allow arrests based on monitoring alerts without timely notice to defense counsel, produce ex‑parte actions, or lead to detention of juveniles due to device failures or clerical errors. Hall described juvenile cases where inaccurate alerts were later corrected and urged notice and hearing protections before arrest or remand.

The committee debated but did not adopt language to require that defense counsel be notified at the same time as other recipients; proponents said immediate notice to prosecution and law enforcement is necessary to protect potential victims and to allow rapid interventions when monitors are breached. Several members noted the need for a statewide data system that would allow jurisdictions and providers to share location and violation information but said that requires further planning and funds.

Amendments and penalties: the adopted amendments increase the list of recipients that must be notified of placement and violations (including local DA offices and law enforcement), reduce the equipment‑issue reporting window to “immediately, but in no event longer than 30 minutes,” and allow courts discretion to waive juvenile monitoring costs. Witnesses described provider penalties discussed during drafting — fines (daily or per case up to $10,000 cited in testimony) and potential jail and bans for negligent providers — that would be implemented under provider certification rules.

Outcome and next steps: the committee adopted the committee amendment set and reported SB 95 as amended. Members and stakeholders signaled continued work will be necessary to address data infrastructure, precise due‑process safeguards for juveniles and timing of notifications to defense counsel.","Senate Bill 95, which sets certification, reporting and penalty standards for electronic-monitoring providers and shortens reporting timelines for violations, was reported as amended after testimony from the attorney general's office, the governor's counsel, providers, survivors and defense groups.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Louisiana committee adopts bill criminalizing intentional infection of incurable STIs; advocates and public health experts urge caution

House committee rejects bill criminalizing intentional release of self‑spreading pathogens after scientific and civil‑liberties concerns

River Parishes juvenile justice district bill amended to add Lafourche and protections for local funding

Panel tightens electronic‑monitoring rules after high‑profile failures; advocates and defenders spar over due process