The full House approves legislation that increases the penalties for convicted carjackers. Brooke Thorington has more.
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The Louisiana House has approved a measure that expands the methods to carry out a death penalty and also puts penalties in place for releasing information on drugs used for a lethal injection. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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Legislation that would lower the age from 18 to 17 at which a person charged with a felony could be charged as an adult successfully cleared the Senate in a 30-9 vote. New Orleans Democratic Senator Royce Duplessis says putting juveniles in adult court and correctional systems is not the answer.
Cut 3 (13) “…these facilities.”
The bill would Repeal the Raise the Age Act approved in 2017. It’s resulted in many 17 year old offenders being charged as juveniles for crime. West Monroe Republican Senator Jay Morris says having 17-year-olds in the juvenile justice facilities is not working.
Cut 4 (10) “…corrections officer.”
Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud says an increase in crime including deadly shootings, home invasions and carjackings was the motivation behind the bill. She says the state has suffered from high crime rate and the current system for juvenile offenders is broken.
Duplessis points from 2017-2020 the number of under 18 crimes decreased from 6400 to 3700. He says putting juveniles in adult jails isn’t going to solve the problem.
The measure heads to the House for more discussion.
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A bill to double the minimum prison sentence for carjackings receives full passage in the House. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel was questioned by New Orleans Democrat Matthew Williard if the state can handle an influx of prisoners with new laws passed in the crime special session.
The bill would raise the minimum prison sentence from two to five years and for carjackings that result in serious injury from 10 to 20 years. Williard asked Schlegel if doubling the sentences would reduce the number of carjackings.
New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry questioned if judges asked for the minimum sentences to be raised and if the bill takes away their discretion. In Schlegel’s bill judges can sentence one five to 20 years for carjacking and 20 to 30 years if bodily injury is involved.
The bill passed on an 89-15 vote and heads to a Senate committee for debate.
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Early Literacy Matters ranks Louisiana for its comprehensive literacy policy for kindergarten through third grade students. Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Jenna Chaisson says the state was recognized for implementing a universal reading screener for students having trouble reading.
Education Recovery Scorecard found Louisiana is one of only three states where average reading achievement in 2023 was above levels in 2019.
Chaisson points out the most impactful policy requires kindergarten through third grade teachers and school leaders to undergo a science of reading training. She says getting rid of the three-cuing systems has also provided positive results.
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Chaisson says the state is leading the way with common sense reading reforms including parental notification of students with reading difficulties. She says kindergarten through third grade students are at critical ages when it comes to learning how to read.
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The Louisiana House has approved legislation that expands the methods the state can carry out an execution. Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello’s measure would give the state the option to use the electric chair or nitrogen to end the life of a death row inmate…
Cut 13 (12) “…ultimate decision.”
The House voted 71 to 29 in favor of the legislation and heads to the Senate for further debate.
Democrats oppose the bill. Marrero Representative Kyle Green filed a bill last year to abolish the death penalty and questions Muscarello about whether the death penalty would actually reduce homicides…
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Louisiana has not executed anyone since 2010. The state can not get the drugs to perform a lethal injection.
Muscarello’s bill also provides penalties for anyone that would publicize where the state obtained the drugs for an execution….