House Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes the enactment of the "Youth Contact Reduction and Diversion Act," which establishes a pre-arrest diversion program for juveniles who are stopped or detained for first-time, nonviolent misdemeanor offenses. Under this bill, when a peace officer has reasonable grounds to believe a juvenile has committed such an offense, they are required to issue a civil citation and offer the juvenile the opportunity to participate in the diversion program. Exceptions to this requirement are outlined, including situations where the juvenile poses an immediate danger or is in possession of a deadly weapon. The bill also stipulates that the civil citation must be resolved within 90 days and will not be considered an arrest, summons, or delinquency adjudication, nor will any fines or fees be assessed against the juvenile.

Additionally, the bill mandates that all law enforcement agencies submit an annual report to the legislature detailing data on juvenile stops, citations, arrests, and recidivism rates. The Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and the Louisiana Department of Health are tasked with creating the necessary rules and regulations to implement the program by December 31, 2026. The provisions of this act will take effect on January 1, 2027.