By KAREN LAGRANGE COX
Effective August 1, 2024, The Louisiana Squatter Prevention Act will become law as a result of the passing of House Bill (HR) 58 by Louisiana Representative Tony Bacala of District 59. After Governor Jeff Landry signed the bill, it became Act 188 (view the act). Representative Josh Carlson of District 43 was also one of the bill’s authors.
The Louisiana Squatter Prevention Act includes:
§62. Simple burglary
A. Simple burglary is either of the following:
(1) The unauthorized entering of any dwelling, vehicle, watercraft, or other structure, movable or immovable, or any cemetery, with the intent to commit 12 a felony or any theft therein, other than as set forth in R.S. 14:60.
(2) The unauthorized entering of any dwelling or other structure with the 14 intent to temporarily or permanently deprive the owner, lessee, or tenant of full use 15 of the dwelling or structure, or to temporarily or permanently assert any right of 16 ownership or use of such property.
C. In addition to the penalties provided in Subsection B of this Section, an offender shall be liable for any damage that has resulted from a violation of Paragraph (A)(2) of this Section.
