The bill amends R.S. 15:909 to enhance the reporting requirements for escapes from juvenile institutions in Louisiana. It expands the definition of institutions to include facilities that house juvenile offenders on behalf of the state, thereby ensuring that the reporting obligations apply to a broader range of facilities. The superintendent or highest-ranking employee at these institutions must notify law enforcement agencies and local media outlets within ten minutes of an escape. Additionally, they are required to maintain detailed records of each escape, including the date, time, number of escapees, and the offenses for which they were detained.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that reports of escapes be made available for public inspection, including a history of prior escapes within the last five years. The secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections is tasked with promulgating rules to ensure the immediate reporting of all escapes from both juvenile institutions and facilities housing juvenile offenders. The bill also clarifies the definitions of "law enforcement agency" and "local media outlets" to include various local news services.

Statutes affected:
SB7 Original: 15:909(A)
SB7 Engrossed:
SB7 Enrolled:
SB7 Act 87: