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2025LEGISLATIVESESSIONLOUISIANA FRATEERNAL ORDER OF POLICETHE VOICE OF LOUISIANA’S RANK & FILE LAW ENFORCEMENT Message

2025 LOUISIANA LEGISLATIVE SESSION: IMPACT ON LAW ENFORCEMENT

YOUR LEGISLATIVE TEAMDAWN POWELLChairSt. Tammany Lodge #17Willie Jenkins IIICrescent City Lodge #2KELLY GIBSONLafayette Lodge # 5JAMES FOLKSCorbet W. Penton Lodge #47

GOVERNMENTAL LIASONSJOE MAPES BILEE YELVERTONSANDY MAPES

EXECUTIVESUMMARYTHERE ARE SOME KEY THEMES OF FILED BILLSREGARDING LAW ENFROCEMENT FOR THE 2025SESSION. THEY ARE:Bolstering officer/family support (retirement, healthcarefor fallen officers' families).Increasing accountability (mandatory use-of-forcereporting).Modifying criminal laws (second-degree murderdefinition, SRO duties).Reviewing civil service rules (Lafayette, Alexandria).Addressing municipal police structures (small villages).Updating procedures (electronic surveillance).Distinct treatment of law enforcement labor issues.

INTRODUCTIONSESSION DATES: APRIL 14, 2025 – JUNE 12, 2025Filed legislation significantly impacts agencyoperations, personnel, effectiveness, andcommunities. Remember there is aRepublican supermajority in House and Senatethat touts a law and order approach tolegislating.This guide is a reference for members to seewhat legislation the LAFOP is tracking duringthe 2025 session. When asked be sure toengage the process through our VoterVoicesystem. Updates will come by email/text whenwe need your support.WHAT TO EXPECT:

CRIME & LAWENFORCEMENTClarifies SROs are mandatory reporters ofchild abuse/neglect.Repeals prohibition on receivinginfo/investigating (unless school employeeinvolved).HB 451 (SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS - SROS):Adds definition for "monitoring post."Makes informant presentation discretionary for judge.Requires intercept orders to specify monitoring postlocation.SB 53 (ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE):Adds "resisting an officer with force or violence" as a predicatefelony (even without intent to kill).Includes killings by those in/escaped from custody.Builds on existing "Resisting an Officer" statute (R.S. 14:108).HB 260 (SECOND-DEGREE MURDER):

CIVIL SERVICEMATTERS (PART 1)Lowers service creditrequirement for P.O.S.T.retirees returning to workfrom 30 to 25 years (forcertain unclassifiedpositions).HB 10 (LASERSREEMPLOYMENT):SB 142: Changespromotion rankdesignation ("abovelieutenant" to "captain").SB 142: Establishes newprocess (R.S. 33:2494.1)for filling major vacanciesvia competitive exam(Sgt+), 1-yearappointments subject tochief's review.HB 527 & SB 142(LAFAYETTE POLICE):New provisions (R.S.33:2494(C)(7)) for fillingvacancies.If noreinstatement/reemployment, uses promotionallist.Appointing authorityselects from top 5 basedon departmentalseniority.HB 47 (ALEXANDRIAPOLICE):

HB 349 (CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT):Authorizes state supplemental pay for airportauthority fire protection officers. (Potentialprecedent?)HB 278 (Fire/Police Civil Service Boards):Removes requirement for local gov't approval forelected employee board members' residency/voterexemption.CIVIL SERVICEMATTERS (PART 2)

WAGES &COMPENSATIONState payment (Self-Insurance Fund, requiresappropriation) forextraordinarymedical/dental expenses(up to $150k/injury).Supplements regularwages/benefits.Reviewed by LawEnforcement Officers andFiremen's Survivor BenefitReview Board.HB 203 (LINE-OF-DUTY INJURIES):Constitutionalamendment for airportfire officers couldinfluence future LEpay discussions.HB 349 (SUPPLEMENTALPAY):New provisions(R.S. Provides$5,000 incentives.Set to terminateJuly 1, 2025. LAW ENFORCEMENTRECRUITMENT INCENTIVEFUND:

WORKINGCONDITIONSBlocked enforcement of state lawcriminalizing approaching officer within 25 ftafter warning (unconstitutionally vague).Impacts police-public interaction legalenvironment (Litigation ongoing - FOP priority).FEDERAL COURT RULING (25-FOOT RULE):SB 53 (Surveillance), HB 100 (Bail bond tracking) couldaffect operational conditions within agencies. We will keepa close eye on these bills to assure they have the bestoutcome for our members,TECHNOLOGY:

USE OF FORCE &ACCOUNTABILITYRequires detailed written reports for ALL use-of-force incidents.Reports classified as public records (Transparency).POSTC sets statewide policy; stricter local policies allowed(Consistency + Adaptability).Aims: Enhance documentation, accountability, potentiallyinfluence behavior.SB 128 (MANDATORY REPORTING):Mandatory annual reporting to LA Commission on LawEnforcement.Scope: Traffic Stops, Pedestrian/Bicycle Stops, Use ofForce, No-Knock Warrants, S.W.A.T. Deployments, CitizenComplaints.Details (Stops): Date/time/location/duration, reason,outcome, searches (basis, consent?), contraband, propertyseized, officer ID, recording status.Demographics (Stops): Sex, age, race/ethnicity (officerobservation ONLY - cannot ask), limited English, disabilities.Repeals: R.S. 32:398.10 (previous traffic stop data law).Goal: Create statewide database for transparency andanalysis.HB 573 (COMPREHENSIVE DATA COLLECTION):

POTENTIAL BURDEN OF HB 573 & SB 128More data points perinteraction = more admintimeINCREASED OFFICERWORKLOAD:Need for robustsystems (RMSupgrades?), datastorage, personnel.Budgetary challengefor smaller agencies.ADMINISTRATIVE/TECHDEMANDS:Officers/staff needtraining on definitions,procedures, tech.TRAINING NEEDS: COMPLEXITY/CONSISTENCY:Capturing observationaldata accurately ischallenging.COMPLIANCE BURDEN:Meeting annualdeadlines requiressignificant ongoingeffort.

OTHER RELEVANT LEGISLATIONHB 284/SB 60, HB 285 :Authorize mayor/aldermen toabolish police departments inHall Summit & Edgefieldupon vacancy/term endMUNICIPAL POLICEABOLITION:Phased increase in stateper diem payment toparishes for housingstate inmates increasingto $40 by FY 28-29.HB 388 (PARISH JAILPAYMENTS):Extends coverage:Lifetime for spouse(removes 2yr limit),children until ineligible(removes 2yr limit).Retroactive.HB 231 (FALLEN OFFICERFAMILIES - HEALTHINSURANCE):Retains: Statesupplemental payfunding requirement, advalorem tax exemptionfor surviving spouses.HB 472 (CONSTITUTIONALFINANCE REVISION -ARTICLE VII):

CONCLUSION & POTENTIAL IMPACTKEY TRENDS IN THIS SESSION ARE: ACCOUNTABILITY/TRANSPARENCY (SB 128, HB 573)ATTRACT/RETAIN OFFICERS (RETIREMENT FLEXIBILITY - SB 1, HB 10, HB 9)FAMILY SUPPORT (HB 231)CIVIL SERVICE REFINEMENTS (HB 47, SB 142)IMPACTS OF THIS LEGISLATION:REPORTING MANDATES (SB 128, HB 573) INCREASE SCRUTINY, POTENTIAL BURDEN, INFLUENCEON POLICY/TRAINING.RETIREMENT/BENEFIT CHANGES AFFECT RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, MORALE.CIVIL SERVICE CHANGES IMPACT STAFFING/MORALE.CONSTITUTIONAL FINANCE (HB 472) PRESERVES KEY LE PROVISIONS BUT COULD INDIRECTLYAFFECT FUTURE FUNDING.ALSO NOTED: HB 586 CALLS FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION (DEC 2025).

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