Senate Bill No. 46, introduced by Senator Reese, aims to establish the crime of unlawful operation of a group home in Louisiana. The bill defines key terms such as "affiliate," "non-related individuals," "operator," "residents," and "unlicensed group home." It stipulates that operating an unlicensed group home is illegal and outlines the penalties for offenders based on the severity of the conditions within the home.

The proposed law specifies three tiers of penalties: a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to six months for conditions that do not lead to unjustifiable pain or suffering; a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to ten years for conditions that likely cause or have caused unjustifiable pain, malnourishment, or suffering, with at least one year served without parole; and imprisonment for five to forty years for conditions that contribute to a resident's death, with at least three years served without probation. The law is set to take effect on August 1, 2026.