LA HB684

Peace officers must issue a civil citation and offer participation in a pre-arrest diversion program to juveniles under 18 stopped for first-time, nonviolent misdemeanor offenses, rather than arresting them

Exceptions apply when the juvenile poses immediate danger of death or serious bodily injury, or possesses, uses, or threatens to use a deadly weapon

Civil citations must be resolved within 90 days and do not count as arrests, summons, delinquency adjudications, criminal convictions, or entries in criminal databases

No fines, fees, or court costs may be assessed against juveniles referred to diversion programs, which include mental health services, substance abuse treatment, victim engagement, restitution, and family support

Law enforcement agencies must submit annual reports to the legislature on juvenile stops, citations, arrests, demographics, location data, program completion rates, and recidivism beginning December 31, 2027