LA HB159

Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office may implement a pretrial home incarceration program using electronic monitoring as an alternative to jail for eligible defendants, with implementation authorized by January 1, 2027

Defendants charged with crimes of violence or sex offenses are ineligible; all participants must pass a risk assessment conducted by the Sheriff's Office in coordination with the district attorney and district court, with court approval required

Program conditions may include curfew, home visitations, activity limitations, employment requirements, supervision fees, and mandatory behavioral health checks if risk factors are identified

Sheriff may collect per diem fees authorized under R.S. 13:5535(1) to fund the program, apply for grants, and enter cooperative endeavor agreements; the sheriff and parish are not liable for participant actions or responsible for medical, housing, food, or transportation costs

Program must begin termination within 60 days of a larger parish jail being constructed or existing jail capacity being materially expanded, with annual evaluation reports due to legislative committees starting before the 2028 Regular Session