This bill amends and reenacts several provisions of Louisiana law related to the rights of sexual assault survivors and the confidentiality of crime victims, particularly minors and victims of sex offenses or human trafficking. Key amendments include the requirement for the preservation of sexual assault collection kits for a minimum of twenty years, with the possibility of extending this period as per law or policy. Additionally, the bill introduces a new right for survivors to be notified of all their rights under the law, and it clarifies that the confidentiality protections for victims do not apply in cases where the victim is a minor involved in a homicide or where the death is related to a sex offense or human trafficking.

The bill also enhances the notification process for victims and their families regarding parole hearings, ensuring they can make statements about the impact of the crime. It specifies that the Board of Pardons cannot prohibit victims from addressing the inmate or defendant unless it disrupts the hearing's decorum. Furthermore, it allows for complaints regarding violations of these rights to be submitted to the Senate or House Select Committees on Women and Children for oversight. The act will take effect upon the governor's signature or after the designated period for bills to become law without signature.

Statutes affected:
HB579 Original: 46:1845(C)(2)
HB579 Engrossed: 46:1844(O)(1), 46:1845(C)(2)
HB579 Enrolled: 46:1844(O)(1), 46:1845(C)(2)
HB579 Act 815: 46:1844(O)(1), 46:1845(C)(2)