A House committee voted to advance a bill that would make juvenile criminal information in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport more available to the public

Published: April 26, 2023

By: Molly Ryan and Metia Carroll, LSU Manship School News Service

A House committee voted 13-2 Wednesday to advance a bill that would make juvenile criminal information in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport more available to the public.

House Bill 321 would compile the names and other information of juvenile criminals in a
database that the public could access. Rep. Debbie Villio, R-Jefferson, who brought the bill, said
this would increase public safety through accountability.

Even though many juvenile defendants in urban areas are Black, Villio said the bill does not
target race. It doesn’t target district attorneys. It doesn’t target judges.”

“This bill is about public safety,” she added.

Villio said members of the public, especially victims of crimes, have a right to view and analyze
documents and decisions related to juvenile crimes. Items like medical records and pictures
would not be available to the public.