Voting RIghts Bills to be heard on wednesday; Over 500 demonstrate at the capitol; and this week's legislative preview

Last week, over 500 people showed up at Louisiana’s State Capitol to call for drastic criminal justice reforms. VOTE filled a bus from New Orleans and  united with members of Louisianans for Prison Alternatives (LPA) from across the state. A bipartisan group of legislators are prepared to pass historic legislative reforms. It remains to be seen, however, if they are so watered down as to not budge Louisiana from the national incarceration leader.

​Sign our petition to support the Justice Reinvestment work in Louisiana!

Last week we spoke out on needed reforms to the juvenile life without parole bill (SB146), and opposed several bills that create redundant penalties on serious charges, such as a possible enhancement on 198 years for a pattern of robberies (HB301). THe desire to show “tough on crime” chops has not evaporated with the spirit of criminal justice reform.

It was also disappointing to read the amendments to HB615, taking out the provision supported by VOTE (to expand rehabilitative programming to all incarcerated people). Without that, the only remaining piece is allowing the parole board to extend a release date 9 months in order for programming to be completed. 

This week, the legislature is hearing many important on Tuesday and Wednesday:
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Tuesday

• Senate Judiciary C @ 9am (Room F)
  • SB142 Eliminate the death penalty
  • SB139 Amends the probation system
  • SB146 Amend the habitual offender law
  • SB220 Create a standard felony class system
  • SB221 Amend the habitual offender law to reduce the window on old crimes
• Senate Judiciary B @ 10am (Room E)
  • SB169 Medical Furlough bill for disabled and terminal people

Wednesday

• Committee on House and Governmental Affairs @10am (House Room 2)
  • HB168 Require DOC to inform Secretary of State when someone is eligible to vote
  • HB229 Create a 5 year bar on voting rights after incarceration
  • HB235 A constitutional amendment to limit disenfranchisement to incarcerated people
  • HB256 A constitutional amendment: 15-year bar on elected and appointed office
  • HB351 A constitutional amendment: 15 year bar on elected and appointed office
  • Read our summary on the voting rights bills
  • Read our written testimony on HB168, HB229 and HB235
• Committee on Health and Welfare @9am (House Room 5)
  • HB250 Authorizes needle exchange programs
  • HB490 Create Advisory Council on Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education
• Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice @ 9am (House Room 6)
  • HB61 Summons on misdemeanors and some felony charges
  • HB83 Use of video court
  • HB135 Prevents cities from creating sanctuary policies

10 ways you can help!

1. Turn to VOTE’s Bill Tracker page to see the updated calendar information and read our testimony on certain bills;
2. Show up to fill the room, wearing your VOTE or LPA T-shirt;
3. Offer rides for those who need transportation;
4. Fill out a green card (support) or red card (oppose) at the hearing;
5. Testify to share your story- either written or in person;
6. Write an email to your legislators, and to the members of these committees;
7. Tweet at the legislators;
8. Call these legislators;
9. Share VOTE’s posts on social media;
10. Ask three friends to join you, and join VOTE!

Contact Robert Goodman, VOTE’s statewide organizer, if you would like to testify regarding a certain bill, or would like to be part of a rideshare: Robert@vote-nola.org