LCCR’s policy team has been hard at work during the 2025 legislative session, working to defend against tough-on-crime policies and rollbacks that had the potential to harm Louisiana’s children. Throughout this session, LCCR tracked three bills that represented the greatest threat to youth justice reform. By standing with partner organizations, testifying at committee hearings, and working with state policymakers, these are the results that were achieved:
Original Purpose: Would have allowed 15- and 16-year-olds accused of any felony to be sent to adult court for a delinquency proceeding, which would take away rehabilitative resources from children and burdening already overwhelmed adult court systems in Louisiana’s largest parishes. This law was remarkably similar to Amendment 3, which was overwhelmingly struck down by Louisiana voters earlier this year.
LCCR and Ally Efforts: LCCR staff members twice testified in opposition to this bill at the Capitol. We mobilized and supported our networks with information and strategy to advocate against the bill. We also organized constituents to write 210 letters expressing their opposition to their elected representatives.
End Result: Killed in Senate finance committee.
Original Purpose: Would allow school personnel to access students’ confidential delinquency records, making it harder for kids to enroll in school while risking mishandling and exposure of confidential records.
LCCR and Ally Efforts: We testified in opposition at the Capitol. We organized constituents to write letters and send emails to their representatives to show how harmful this bill could be to children in Louisiana. We also provided prospective changes and talking points directly to the committee responsible for this bill, some of which were implemented.
End Result: Passed, but with major amendments. The bill will not allow school educators to access delinquency records. It does allow schools to receive a full disciplinary record when children transfer schools.
Original Purpose: Would add juvenile court records to an online database for state actors or employers along with adult criminal records, removing protections that kids have always had under Louisiana law. This would have expanded public access to confidential records and risked harming children merely accused of crimes.
LCCR and Ally Efforts: We testified in opposition at the Capitol. We collaborated with other organizations to get the word out in the community about the possible dangers of publicizing this kind of information. We also organized constituents to send 180 letters in opposition to their elected representatives.
End Result: Passed, but with amendments. If a state agency accesses delinquency records, they are bound to confidentiality. If a state agency reveals a child’s confidential information from this database, they can be held in contempt of court.
While this legislative session is over, our work isn’t done. After our policy team evaluates their strategies for this year, we’ll start gearing up for next year. Instead of just defending against harmful policies, we will research and write new bills to further our legislative goals, namely: advocating for safer conditions of confinement; fostering strategic partnerships to help young people thrive in their communities; ensuring children have the right to education; and keeping kids at home and in school– not in courts or jails. Our team will proactively work at the state and local level to keep kids out of the justice system and protect the rights of all of Louisiana’s children.
