§574.4.3. Parole requirements for certain sex offenders

A.(1) Before having a parole hearing for any offender who has been convicted of a violation of a sex offense as defined in R.S. 15:541, when the law permits parole consideration for that offense, and when according to law an offender convicted of one of those offenses is otherwise eligible for parole, the committee shall give written notice of the date and time of the parole hearing at least three days prior to the hearing to the victim or the victim's parent or guardian, unless the victim, parent, or guardian has advised the committee on parole in writing that such notification is not desired.

(2) The victim or the victim's parent or guardian who desires to do so shall be given a reasonable opportunity to attend the hearing and to be heard.

B. If a person who is otherwise eligible for intensive parole supervision pursuant to R.S. 15:574.4.4, has been convicted of one of the sexual offenses enumerated in this Section and the intensive parole supervision is applicable to any of those enumerated crimes, then the provisions of this Section shall apply.

C. If a person, who is otherwise eligible for diminution of sentence for good behavior pursuant to R.S. 15:571.3, has been convicted of one of the sexual offenses enumerated in this Section and the diminution of sentence for good behavior is applicable to any of those enumerated crimes, then the provisions of this Section shall apply.

D.(1) In cases where the offender has been convicted of or where adjudication has been deferred or withheld for the perpetration or attempted perpetration of a violation of a sex offense as defined in R.S. 15:541, including criminal sexual offenders under the supervision and legal authority of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision provided for in R.S. 15:574.31 through 574.44, and parole is permitted by law and the offender is otherwise eligible, and when the committee releases an offender on parole, the committee shall order the offender to register as a sex offender and provide notification in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 15:540 et seq.

(2) The committee shall mail notice within three days after it makes a decision to release a sexual offender, as enumerated and pursuant to the circumstances in this Paragraph, on parole. The notice shall contain the address where the defendant will reside, a statement that the offender will be released on parole, and the date he will be released and shall be mailed to the victim or the victim's parent or guardian if the victim or a relative was not present at the parole hearing of the offender, and the notice shall be sent to their last known address by registered or certified letter, unless the victim or relative has signed a written waiver of notification.

E.(1) In cases where parole is permitted by law and the offender is otherwise eligible, the committee on parole shall not grant parole to any sex offender either by an order of the committee on parole or office of adult services pursuant to R.S. 15:571.3 until the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, division of probation and parole, has assessed and approved the suitability of the residence plan of such offender. In approving the residence plan of the offender, the department shall consider the likelihood that the offender will be able to comply with all of the conditions of his parole.

(2) For purposes of this Section, "sex offender" shall mean any offender who has been convicted of, or where adjudication has been deferred or withheld for, the perpetration or attempted perpetration of a violation of a sex offense as defined in R.S. 15:541.

F.(1) In cases where the offender has been convicted of or where adjudication has been deferred or withheld for the perpetration or attempted perpetration of a sex offense as defined in R.S. 15:541 and the victim of that offense is a minor, the committee may, if the department has the equipment and appropriately trained personnel, as an additional condition of parole, authorize the use of truth verification examinations to determine if the offender has violated a condition of parole. If ordered by the committee as a condition of parole, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, division of probation and parole, is hereby authorized to administer a truth verification examination pursuant to the committee's order and the provisions of this Subsection.

(2) Any examination conducted pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection shall be subsequent to an allegation that the offender has violated a condition of parole or at the discretion of the parole officer who has reason to believe that the offender has violated a condition of parole.

(3) The truth verification examination shall be conducted by a trained certified polygraphist or voice stress examiner.

(4) The results of the truth verification examination may be considered in determining the level of supervision and treatment needed by the offender and in the determination of the parole officer as to whether the offender has violated a condition of parole; however, such results shall not be used by the committee as the basis for a finding that a violation of a condition of parole has occurred.

(5) The sexual offender may request a second truth verification examination to be conducted by a trained and certified polygraphist or voice stress examiner of his choice. The cost of the second examination shall be borne by the offender.

(6) For purposes of this Subsection:

(a) "Polygraph examination" shall mean an examination conducted with the use of an instrument or apparatus for simultaneously recording cardiovascular pressure, pulse and respiration, and variations in electrical resistance of the skin.

(b) "Truth verification examination" shall include a polygraph examination or a voice stress analysis.

(c) "Voice stress analysis" shall mean an examination conducted with the use of an instrument or apparatus which records psychophysiological stress responses that are present in a human voice when a person suffers psychological stress in response to a stimulus.

Acts 2010, No. 241, §1; Acts 2012, No. 705, §1; Acts 2012, No. 714, §8.