Senate Bill No. SLS 26RS-418 aims to amend the wrongful conviction compensation law in Louisiana by increasing the compensation cap for individuals wrongfully convicted and imprisoned. The bill proposes that compensation for physical harm and injury suffered by the petitioner will be calculated at a rate of $40,000 per year of incarceration, with a maximum total amount of $600,000 starting August 1, 2026. Additionally, it allows petitioners who have not previously received compensation to 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 establishes that any petitioner awarded compensation between September 1, 2005, and August 1, 2026, can file for supplemental compensation by August 1, 2027, or risk being barred from doing so. The implementation of these provisions is contingent upon the appropriation of funds by the legislature. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the financial support available to wrongfully convicted individuals while extending the deadlines for seeking additional compensation.

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