Committee advances bill that lengthens juvenile filing and adjudication timelines after contentious debate

The House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee on March 18 reported House Bill 140 favorably as amended after more than two hours of testimony and a roll-call vote.

Representative Cox described the measure as procedural modernization of the children's code, noting many juvenile timelines date back to 1992 and that modern investigations (body-worn cameras, lab testing) create discovery demands that take longer to process. Douglas Rushton, chief of the juvenile division for Jefferson Parish DA’s Office, told the committee the amendments set specific filing timelines (for example, 15 days for misdemeanor-grade delinquent acts if the child is continued in custody, 30 days for felony-grade acts) and clarified extension procedures.

Opponents — including Remi Abiodun of Vera Louisiana, public defenders Robin Capps and Sam Marrone, and representatives of the Louisiana Center for Children's Rights and LACDL — argued the bill would lengthen pretrial detention, raise costs for parishes, and undermine the juvenile system’s rehabilitative purpose. Remi Abiodun said extending pretrial detention ‘‘will only add to cost without improving the child's well‑being or the safety of our communities.’’ Public defenders urged revisions to preserve speedy due‑process protections and alternatives to detention.

After debate, Representative Moore objected to reporting the bill; the committee proceeded to a roll-call vote. The roll call recorded eight yeas and three nays; the clerk announced the yeas were 8 and nays 3 and the committee reported HB140 favorably as amended. Recorded 'no' votes included Representatives Knox, LaFleur and Moore. The committee directed authors and stakeholders to continue negotiations before floor consideration.