CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Removes detriment or harm to morals as criteria for declaring a property a public nuisance. (8/1/26)

SLS 26RS-262 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 53
BY SENATOR LUNEAU
CRIME/PUNISHMENT. Removes detriment or harm to morals as criteria for declaring a
property a public nuisance. (8/1/26)
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact the introductory paragraph of R.S. 14:107.3(A)(3) and (A)(3)(a) and
3 (c), relative to criminal blighting of property; to provide relative to the definition of
4 "public nuisance"; to remove detriment or harm to morals as criteria for declaring a
5 property a public nuisance; and to provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. The introductory paragraph of R.S. 14:107.3(A)(3) and (A)(3)(a) and (c)
8 are hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
9 §107.3. Criminal blighting of property
10 A. The terms used in this Section shall have the following meanings:
11 * * *
12 (3) "Public nuisance" means any garage, shed, barn, house, building,
13 apartment, or structure, that by reason of the condition in which it is permitted to
14 remain, may endanger the health, life, limb, or property of any person, or cause any
15 hurt, harm, damages, injury, or loss to any person in any one or more of the
16 following conditions:
17 (a) The property is dilapidated, decayed, unsafe, or unsanitary, is detrimental
Page 1 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
SB NO. 53
SLS 26RS-262 ORIGINAL
1 to health, morals, safety, public welfare, and the well-being of the community,
2 endangers life or property, or is conducive to ill health, delinquency, and crime.
3 * * *
4 (c) The conditions present on the property and its surrounding grounds are
5 not reasonably or adequately maintained, thereby causing deterioration and creating
6 a blighting influence or condition on nearby properties and thereby depreciating the
7 value, use, and enjoyment to such an extent that it is harmful to the public health,
8 welfare, morals, safety, and the economic stability of the area, community, or
9 neighborhood in which such public nuisance is located.
10 * * *
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Senate Legislative Services.
The keyword, summary, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof
or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
DIGEST
SB 53 Original 2026 Regular Session Luneau
Present law relative to criminal blighting of property defines "public nuisance" as any
garage, shed, barn, house, building, apartment, or structure, that by reason of the condition
in which it is permitted to remain, may endanger the health, life, limb, or property of any
person, or cause any hurt, harm, damages, injury or loss to any person because:
(1) The property is dilapidated, decayed, unsafe, or unsanitary, is detrimental to health,
morals, safety, public welfare, and the well-being of the community, endangers life
or property, or is conducive to ill health, delinquency, and crime.
(2) The property is a fire hazard.
(3) The conditions on the property are not reasonably or adequately maintained, thereby
causing deterioration and creating a blighting effect on nearby properties and
depreciating the value, use, and enjoyment to such an extent that it is harmful to the
public health, welfare, morals, safety, and the economic stability of the area,
community, or neighborhood.
Proposed law removes detriment or harm to morals as criteria for declaring a property a
public nuisance and otherwise retains present law.
Effective August 1, 2026.
(Amends R.S. 14:107.3(A)(3)(intro para) and (A)(3)(a) and (c))
Page 2 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.