The bill amends Louisiana's negligent homicide laws, specifically R.S. 14:32(C)(1) and (2), to increase the penalties for negligent homicide under certain circumstances. The maximum term of imprisonment for negligent homicide is raised from ten years to fifteen years, and offenders may also face fines of up to five thousand dollars. Additionally, if the court does not impose a term of imprisonment when specific factors are present—namely, that the fatality was caused by a person operating a vehicle and that the offender's blood alcohol concentration contributed to the fatality—the court is required to provide written and oral reasons for this decision.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the penalties for cases where the victim is under the age of thirteen, mandating a minimum imprisonment of two years and a maximum of twenty years at hard labor, without the possibility of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. This change reflects a significant increase in the severity of penalties for negligent homicide cases involving minors, emphasizing the state's commitment to addressing such offenses more rigorously.

Statutes affected:
SB156 Original: 14:32(C)(1)
SB156 Engrossed: 14:32(C)(1)
SB156 Reengrossed: 14:32(C)(1)
SB156 Enrolled: 14:32(C)(1)
SB156 Act 466: 14:32(C)(1)