Shreveport Rep Proposes Domestic Violence Registry in Louisiana

Louisiana state lawmakers are considering a bill to create a statewide registry aimed at tracking repeat domestic violence offenders and improving public safety.

Shreveport State Rep Joy Walters has proposed HB86 to establish a “Domestic Abuse Repeat Offender Registry” for individuals convicted more than once of certain domestic-related crimes. The bill targets repeat offenders convicted of crimes such as domestic abuse battery, stalking, cyberstalking, and violations of protective orders.

Who Would Be Required to Register

Under the Walters bill, anyone convicted of a second—or subsequent—qualifying offense would be required to register with local law enforcement. Judges would be required to notify offenders of this obligation at sentencing, upon release, or as part of probation or parole conditions.

Registration would not be optional. The bill explicitly states courts cannot waive or suspend the requirement.

Domestic Violence Registry Would Be Public

Residents across the state would have access to this database which would be maintained by state police. The system would also allow residents to sign up for email alerts when an offender moves into their area, starts a new job, or enrolls in schools nearby.

Domestic Violence Registry Fees and Penalties

Anyone required to go on this list would have to pay an annual registration fee of $250 dollars. A portion would support registry maintenance, while the rest would fund domestic violence intervention programs through the governor’s office.

Registration periods would increase with repeat offenses, ranging from one year to potentially a lifetime requirement for habitual offenders.

Supporters say the measure mirrors existing sex offender registries and could provide another layer of protection for victims and communities across Louisiana.