Published: June 10, 2021
By: Adrian Dubose, LSU Manship school News Service
BATON ROUGE, La. (LSU Manship School News Wire) – A bill to increase the amount paid to people who have been wrongfully convicted of crimes in Louisiana cleared the Legislature Thursday.
House Bill 92 by Rep. Joseph Marino, I-Gretna, increases compensation for people wrongfully convicted of crimes from $25,000 annually with a cap of $250,000 to $40,000 annually and a cap of $400,000.
The bill also would extend the deadline to file for the compensation.
At first, Marino asked for $50,000 per year, but the chambers agreed to $40,000 with the $400,000 cap.
The increased compensation would go into effect on July 1, 2022. Filers on or after the new effect date have the option to receive a lump sum payment of $250,000 instead of receiving $40,000 per year.
Many states – including Texas, Alabama and Florida – offer money to the wrongfully convicted.
Read more at KALB
LSU Manship School Statehouse Bureau 