House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to establish comprehensive notification and reporting procedures regarding inmate deaths in Louisiana correctional facilities. The bill introduces new definitions for terms such as "correctional facility," "department," "immediate family member," and "supervisor." It mandates that upon discovering an inmate's death, the supervisor must notify the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) and the local coroner, inform the immediate family within twelve hours, and conduct a thorough investigation. A preliminary report must be issued in accordance with critical incident reporting requirements, and a comprehensive report detailing the circumstances of the death must be made publicly available within thirty days.

Additionally, the bill requires the Louisiana Department of Health to collect data for an annual analysis of inmate deaths, including causes, demographics, and incarceration details. It also stipulates that the DPS&C and the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association will jointly produce an annual public report summarizing this data. The bill includes penalties for non-compliance, allowing for imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of $1,000 for those who intentionally fail to adhere to the new provisions. Furthermore, it amends existing law to require that death certificates indicate whether the individual died while in prison or serving a sentence.

Statutes affected:
HB323 Original: 40:10