House Bill No. 160, introduced by Representative Knox, aims to increase the penalties for domestic violence offenses that involve strangulation. The bill amends R.S. 14:34.9(L)(1) and 35.3(L)(1) to change the maximum imprisonment term for offenders from three years to ten years when the offense involves strangulation. Additionally, it stipulates that at least one year of the sentence must be served without the benefit of probation or suspension of sentence.

The proposed changes apply to both the crime of battery of a dating partner and domestic abuse battery, ensuring that offenders face stricter consequences for such serious offenses. The bill retains the existing provisions of the law while enhancing the penalties specifically for cases involving strangulation, reflecting a commitment to addressing domestic violence more effectively.

Statutes affected:
HB160 Original: 14:9(L)(1), 14:3(L)(1)
HB160 Engrossed: 14:9(L)(1), 14:3(L)(1)