Bill > HB14

This bill amends Louisiana's criminal code to add "cruelty to the elderly and persons with infirmities" as a predicate felony for first and second degree murder. Specifically, the bill modifies two existing statutes (R.S. 14:30 and 30.1) to include cruelty to the elderly and persons with infirmities as a qualifying offense that can elevate a homicide charge to first or second degree murder. In legal terms, a predicate felony is a specific type of serious crime that, when committed alongside another crime (in this case, murder), can result in more severe criminal charges. By adding this provision, the law now allows prosecutors to charge someone with first or second degree murder if the killing occurs during the commission of cruelty to vulnerable populations like the elderly or individuals with disabilities, even if the original intent was not to kill. This change aims to provide additional legal protection and heightened penalties for crimes against particularly vulnerable members of society.

Justice

https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=25rs&b=HB14&sbi=y