LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE PASSES FINES & FEES REFORM
Reforms passed with near-unanimous support; move to Governor’s desk for signature
(Baton Rouge, LA) — Today, the Louisiana legislature passed two critical fines and fees reforms: House Bill 498, sponsored by Rep. Edward “Ted” James (D-101); and House Bill 417, sponsored by Rep. Julie Emerson (R-39). These two bills represent significant progress in reforming Louisiana's practice of levying fines and fees and provide relief and support to the state's struggling families.
HB417, sponsored by Representative James and championed by Representative John M. Stefanski (R-42) provides discretion to juvenile court judges to waive court-associated fines and fees. This provides important discretion for judges working with low-income families as Louisianians work to recover from the economic fallout of COVID-19. This bill passed the House and the Senate unanimously.
HB498, sponsored by Representative Emerson and with 19 co-sponsors from both the left and right, will waive fees for occupational licenses for those below 200% of the poverty level or who are on government assistance, providing an important path to economic self sufficiency. This bill also creates payment plans so that those with limited resources can increase their salaries through employment and licensure. This bill passed the House 95-1 and the Senate by a vote of 30-1.
This action comes at a critical time when near-record numbers of Louisianans are struggling to make ends meet and state leaders are working to craft a path back to economic well-being. These two bills will provide much-needed relief to families and support those who may be changing jobs or seeking licensure after the loss of jobs during COVID-19.
“Louisiana continues to lead in the fight for common sense, bipartisan criminal justice reforms” said Holly Harris, President and Executive Director of Justice Action Network. “These fine and feesimposed an undue burden on families dealing with courts and licensing boards. We are grateful to Representatives James, Representative Emerson, and Representative Stefanski for championing this important legislation to lift that burden, and we encourage Governor Edwards to sign this legislation right away.”
The two bills are now headed to the Governor's desk for his signature.