Governor Jindal Signs Victim Protection Bill

Press Release

Governor Bobby Jindal signed HB 594 by Representative Joseph Lopinto, which will enhance protections for child pornography victims. HB 594 is part of the Governor's 2012 legislative package.

Governor Jindal said, "In addition to doing everything we can to root out and punish the criminals who exploit, and abuse the innocent, we must also strengthen our efforts to protect the victims of these brutal crimes. Children depicted in pornographic images and movies are crime victims, not evidence, and this new law will reduce the possibility that materials confiscated in an investigation will end up being lost, stolen, or distributed, resulting in the re-victimization of the child."

HB 594 changes Louisiana's law to mirror federal law so that the copying or duplicating of child pornographic material is prohibited. The law mandates that the pornographic materials cannot be copied, duplicated or otherwise reproduced as long as the defendant has a reasonable opportunity to inspect the material at a state facility, such as a district attorney's office.

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