Art. 897.1. Disposition after adjudication of certain felony-grade delinquent acts

            A. After adjudication of a felony-grade delinquent act based upon a violation of R.S. 14:30, first degree murder or R.S. 14:30.1, second degree murder, the court shall commit the child who is fourteen years or older at the time of the commission of the offense to the custody of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to be confined in secure placement until the child attains the age of twenty-one years without benefit of parole, probation, suspension of imposition or execution of sentence, or modification of sentence.

            B. After adjudication of a felony-grade delinquent act based upon a violation of R.S. 14:42, first degree rape, or R.S. 14:44, aggravated kidnapping, the court shall commit the child who is fourteen years or older at the time of the commission of the offense to the custody of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to be confined in secure placement until the child attains the age of twenty-one years without benefit of probation, suspension of imposition or execution of sentence, or modification of sentence.

            C. Except as provided in Paragraphs A and B of this Article, after adjudication of a felony-grade delinquent act based upon a violation of R.S. 14:64, armed robbery, or R.S. 14:64.2, carjacking, or for a second or subsequent offense that is a crime of violence, as defined in R.S. 14:2(B), the court shall commit the child who is fourteen years of age or older at the time of the commission of the offense to the custody of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, or to the custody of a secure public or private institution, to be confined in secure placement without benefit of probation or suspension of imposition or execution of sentence.

            D.(1) After adjudication of a felony-grade delinquent act based upon R.S. 14:34.3, battery of a school teacher, the court shall commit the child to the custody of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, or to the custody of a secure public or private institution, to be confined in secure placement for not less than six months without benefit of probation or suspension of imposition or execution of sentence.

            (2) In addition to the penalties provided in Subparagraph (1) of this Paragraph, the court shall impose a requirement that the child participate in a court-approved counseling program which may include anger management, abusive behavior intervention groups, or any other type of counseling deemed appropriate by the court. Any costs associated with the counseling program shall be borne by the child or a parent, tutor, guardian, or other person who is financially responsible for the care of the child.

            E.(1)(a) After adjudication of a felony-grade delinquent act based upon a violation of R.S. 14:40.1 or 54.6, the court shall order the child who is fourteen years of age or older at the time of the commission of the offense to any or all of the following:

            (i) A mental examination, if one has not already been conducted pursuant to R.S. 17:409.5.

            (ii) Up to twelve months probation or no more than six months commitment in a juvenile detention facility pursuant to Article 898.

            (iii) Participation in the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program as provided in R.S. 15:951.

            (b) After adjudication of a felony-grade delinquent act based upon a violation of R.S. 14:40.1 or 54.6, the parent, custodian, or other legal guardian of the child shall be subject to a civil fine of up to five thousand dollars.

            (2)(a) After a second or subsequent adjudication of a felony-grade delinquent act based upon a violation of R.S. 14:40.1 or 54.6, the court shall order the child who is fourteen years of age or older at the time of the commission of the offense to any or all of the following:

            (i) A mental examination, if one has not already been conducted pursuant to R.S. 17:409.5.

            (ii) Up to eighteen months probation or no more nine months commitment in a juvenile detention facility.

            (iii) Participation in the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program as provided in R.S. 15:951.

            (b) After adjudication of a felony-grade delinquent act based upon a second or subsequent violation of R.S. 14:40.1 or 54.6, the parent, custodian, or other legal guardian shall be subject to a civil fine of not less than five thousand dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars.

            F.(1) In addition to the dispositions provided in Paragraph E of this Article, the court shall conduct a hearing in accordance with Code of Criminal Procedure Article 875.1 to make a determination regarding the financial ability of the child's parent, legal guardian, or other person who is financially responsible for the care of the child to reimburse the responding agency, local municipality, sheriff's department, or any other governmental agency or political subdivision for all incurred costs pertaining to the response, prosecution, or any other activities that result from a violation of R.S. 14:40.1 or 54.6.

            (2) If the court determines that payment in full of the aggregate amount of all financial obligations imposed upon the child's parent, legal guardian, or other person who is financially responsible for the care of the child would not cause substantial financial hardship, the court shall order the person to reimburse the entity described in Subparagraph (1) of this Paragraph.

            G. Juveniles confined in secure placement for an adjudication as set forth in Paragraph C of this Article shall be eligible for modification after serving twenty-four months of the disposition or if the disposition is less than thirty-six months, one-half of the disposition.

            H. A motion for modification of a disposition shall be filed pursuant to Article 910 et seq. and a contradictory hearing shall be set no sooner than thirty days from the date of notice to the district attorney. To grant a motion for modification of disposition, the court shall find that the child poses a reduced risk to the community based on the following considerations:

            (1) The child has a favorable progress report from the placement facility.

            (2) The child meets one of the following work or self-improvement criteria:

            (a) Has attained a high school diploma or equivalent.

            (b) Is actively participating in workforce training or a certification program and is in good standing as evidenced by grades and behavior notes submitted by the child's instructors.

            (3) The child has obtained a low-risk designation as determined by a valid risk assessment procedure approved by the office of juvenile justice.

            (4) The recommendation of the office of juvenile justice.

            (5) A reentry plan that includes an appropriate placement to conduct supervision and achieve aftercare goals.

            (6) Any additional evidence provided by the child, the state, or the office of juvenile justice.

            I. At least six months prior to the release of the child, the department shall prepare an individualized and thorough transitional plan that identifies the techniques, programs, personnel, and facilities that will be used to assist the child in achieving a successful return to his family and the community. A copy of the transitional plan shall be mailed to the court that ordered the disposition of commitment.

            J. The provisions of this Article apply to all children in the custody of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of juvenile justice, on or after August 1, 2018.

            Acts 1993, No. 430, §2; Acts 2004, No. 484, §1; Acts 2015, No. 184, §8; Acts 2018, No. 467, §2; Acts 2023, No. 420, §1; Acts 2024, 2^nd Ex. Sess., No. 14, §1, eff. July 1, 2024; Acts 2026, No. 617, §2; Acts 2026, No. 619, §4.