Senate Bill No. 125, introduced by Senator Boudreaux, amends the wrongful conviction compensation law in Louisiana by increasing the compensation cap for individuals wrongfully convicted and imprisoned. The bill specifies that from July 1, 2022, through July 31, 2026, compensation for physical harm and injury will be calculated at a rate of $40,000 per year of incarceration, with a maximum total amount of $400,000. Beginning August 1, 2026, this compensation rate will remain at $40,000 per year but will increase the lifetime cap to $600,000. Additionally, petitioners who have not previously received compensation can opt for a lump sum payment of $250,000 instead of the annual payments.

The bill also modifies the timeline for filing supplemental compensation petitions. It allows petitioners who were awarded compensation between September 1, 2005, and August 1, 2026, to file for supplemental compensation starting August 1, 2026, with a new deadline of August 1, 2027, to submit their petitions. If they fail to file by this date, they will be barred from seeking supplemental compensation. This legislative change aims to provide more substantial financial support to those wrongfully convicted while ensuring that the process for seeking additional compensation is clearly defined.

Statutes affected:
SB125 Original: 15:8(H)(2)