Lousiana legislators now know when they'll convene for the special session on crime.
Governor Jeff Landry on Thursday issued his call for the special session, setting its start date for Monday, February 19 at 1 p.m. The session will last a maximum of 17 days, with adjournment sine die mandated to occur by 6 p.m. on March 6.
Rep. Kyle Green (D-Marrero) posted the full three-page call to his Twitter page.
As expected, Landry's call for the special session demands lawmakers to consider repealing criminal justice reforms implemented during Governor John Bel Edwards's administration, including bills that raised the age for defendants to be considered adults. Landry's call also, as expected, includes a demand for lawmakers to consider expanding Louisiana's death penalty to include methods of execution other than lethal injection. Other expected item that Landry included are possible restrictions on good time and reduction of sentences, allowing public access to certain juvenile criminal records, and increasing penalties for carjackings.
However, Landry's call includes issues that have not been at the center of crime discussions. For example, Landry wants lawmakers to consider bills eliminating the need for a permit to carry a concealed gun. Similar measures died in the legislature during the last two regular session. In addition, Landry wans legislators to consider bills "to grant immunity from liability, based upon certain criteria, for peace officers and public entities that employe or appoint peace officers." The call does not say why type of liability from which he wants to shield law enforcement officers.
Two issues that were hot-button issues in the final year of Governor Edwards's term are included in the call. Landry wants legislators to repeal a law that prevents prosecutors from admitting a "defendant's creative or artistic expression" as evidence. Another items calls on legislators to pass a bill "to require a unanimous vote of the parole board to grant parole and to increase the powers of the board." This comes after the pardon board granted the release of people convicted of murder several decades ago.
Already, opponents of Landry's agenda are criticizing the call. The Louisiana ACLU says Landry's proposals will hurt the state.
“From the restriction of parole eligibility, good time, and earned compliance to the lowering of the age of majority for juveniles, the governor’s policy proposals are not evidenced based, lack the data necessary to inform sound criminal justice policy, and will disproportionately harm communities of color," spokesperson Lauren Gaines said in a statement. "Lengthier sentences imposed upon Louisianans will cost taxpayers millions of dollars, do not decrease crime, increase recidivism, and unduly target Black and Brown communities. Many of the policy actions outlined by the governor’s proclamation directly contradict well-established research regarding criminal justice in the state."
