House Bill No. by Representative Mike Johnson seeks to streamline the process for property owners in Louisiana to remove unauthorized occupants from their immovable property. The bill introduces a new Code of Criminal Procedure Article 132, which allows property owners or their authorized agents to request the immediate removal of unlawful occupants by law enforcement, provided certain conditions are met, such as prior notice to the unauthorized person and that the property was not open to the public at the time of entry. The legislation also requires the use of a standardized complaint form and outlines the responsibilities of law enforcement in serving notices and verifying the identities of occupants.

In addition to establishing this removal process, the bill amends existing laws related to criminal mischief and introduces new provisions concerning fraudulent property transactions. It expands the definition of criminal mischief to include unlawful detaining or trespassing on another's property, with penalties for damages exceeding $1,000. The bill also clarifies that property owners or their agents are not liable for damages to the personal property of unlawful occupants unless the removal is wrongful, allowing individuals harmed by wrongful removal to seek civil action. Furthermore, it imposes severe penalties for violations related to property rights, including fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to 10 years for unlawful property listings or rentals.

Statutes affected:
HB850 Original: 14:59(B), 14:7(B)(3)