House Bill No. by Representative Crews aims to amend and enhance the Post-Conviction Veterans Mentor Program in Louisiana by allowing the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) to collaborate with the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs to establish regulations for the program. Significant changes include expanding eligibility to offenders convicted of violent crimes or sex offenses, lowering the minimum age requirement from 40 to 30 years, and requiring district attorney consent for offenders serving life sentences. The bill also introduces provisions for electronic monitoring of participants and clarifies that acceptance into the program is not guaranteed based solely on veteran status.

Additionally, the bill establishes a pilot program to evaluate the effectiveness of the Post-Conviction Veterans Mentor Program, which will operate for at least three years. During this time, the DPS&C and the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs must provide semiannual reports on various metrics, including participant numbers and disciplinary actions. A comprehensive report will be submitted to the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs at the end of the pilot to assess the program's success and consider any necessary legislative changes. The bill amends several sections of existing law and introduces new sections while repealing certain provisions to streamline the program's implementation.

Statutes affected:
HB1109 Original: 15:22(B), 15:23(2), 15:24(A)(2), 15:26(A)(2)