Senate Bill No. 165, introduced by Senator Miller, aims to amend the governance structure of the River Parishes Juvenile Justice District by adding Lafourche Parish to its jurisdiction. The bill modifies existing laws to include Lafourche Parish alongside Ascension, Assumption, St. Charles, St. James, and St. John the Baptist parishes within the district's territorial jurisdiction. It also revises the composition of the board of commissioners, reducing the number of commissioners appointed by the sheriffs of the Twenty-Third Judicial District from five to three, and introduces a new commissioner position to be appointed by the sheriff of Lafourche Parish. Additionally, the board will now be domiciled in Lafourche Parish instead of St. James Parish.

The bill retains provisions for the board's powers, including the ability to levy taxes, incur debt, and issue bonds, while expanding its cooperation with juvenile courts and public agencies to include those in the Seventeenth Judicial District. Furthermore, it establishes special costs to be levied against defendants and juveniles in Lafourche Parish, mirroring existing provisions in the other parishes. The changes are set to take effect on August 1, 2025, and aim to enhance the operational framework of the juvenile justice system in the region.

Statutes affected:
SB165 Original: 15:12(A), 15:16(A), 15:17(A)
SB165 Engrossed: 15:12(A), 15:16(A)