"We are at a critical point in history, and I believe that it’s time to stop talking and immediately do what’s necessary for people to thrive. We must take action on the most significant issues impacting Louisianans like increasing public safety, investing in streets and drainage, expanding access to quality education, building an economy where companies are excited to invest in jobs for our community, protecting reproductive rights, advocating for vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth, and so much more.”
-Senator Royce Duplessis
Eliminated regressive and burdensome fees, costs, and taxes in the juvenile justice system. These fees are administrative surcharges that have nothing to do with actual criminal justice system expenses, and they have hurt those who can least afford the debt.
Requested the legislative auditor to conduct an audit on the use of all forms of solitary confinement of juveniles in facilities housing juveniles. Solitary confinement of juveniles is inhumane, and the first step to ending it is learning how and where it’s done in Louisiana.
Limited the use of an individual’s booking photograph on a website if they were acquitted of a criminal charge.
Any person who was or is confined in any prison, jail, work release facility, or correctional institution or who was or is under the supervision of the division of probation and parole is entitled to receive, upon request, a letter of incarceration that provides documentation, verification, or proof of the person's confinement in the prison, jail, work release facility, or correctional institution or supervision while on probation and parole.
Requested that a commission be convened to study the efficacy of the current eligibility requirements and processes for compassionate release, medical parole, and medical treatment furlough. This will help pave the way for elderly and terminally ill offenders, who pose no threat to society, to be allowed to spend their final days on earth outside of a penitentiary.
Played a pivotal role in abolishing non-unanimous juries by helping garner bi-partisan support for the bill in the state legislature and then working will stakeholders to have non-unanimous juries outlawed through a Constitutional Amendment.
Passed legislation to allow residents convicted of mingling harmful substances, theft, or distribution or possession with the intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances to be hired as a peer support specialist by a licensed behavioral health services provider.
Streamlined and improved the legal process for individuals with serious mental illness who need access to assisted outpatient treatment program services.
Established the Louisiana Maternal Mental Health Task Force for the purposes of advancing education and treatment and improving services relating to maternal mental health.
Extended the state’s 10% Earned Income Tax Credit another five years from its current sunset, ensuring families will have access to the enhanced credit until 2030.
Worked to create the Louisiana Work Opportunity Tax credit, which incentivizes businesses to hire re-entrants participating in work release programs. Stable jobs for formerly incarcerated people is one of the best ways we can reduce recidivism and combat crime.
Required K-12 schools to integrate preventive mental health measures; the relationship between mental health and physical health; brain health, emotional health, identifying trauma and stress, and the impact of trauma and stress on mental health and physical health; and resources and services available to assist people with mental health issues, into Health class curriculum.
Requested a study regarding the potential establishment of a program to provide children born to low- to moderate-income parents with a trust that, at maturity, can be used for postsecondary education, the purchase of a home, or the formation of a business.
Ensured the state-level protection of the Louis Armstrong Park Authority and Historic Jazz District.
Requested that the Louisiana Housing Corporation consider emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency characteristics when implementing design criteria for housing developments.
Requested the Louisiana Housing Corporation to study the distribution of low-income housing tax credit resources and identify barriers to equitable distribution of these housing resources.
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