Louisiana HB 214 (Act 45) Enhanced Monetary Instrument Abuse Law

Strengthens laws addressing check fraud by updating definitions to include altered checks and increasing penalties for repeat offenders, including mandatory prison time.

Status: Passed State: Louisiana Tags: Check Fraud

About the Legislation:

HB 214 (Act 45) by Rep. Debbie Villio is LBA-sponsored legislation that modernizes and strengthens the state’s monetary instrument abuse statute (R.S. 14:72.2), which is the primary statute used by state and local law enforcement to charge perpetrators of check fraud. The Act updates the language in the statute to reference washed checks and it enhances the penalties for repeat offenders by requiring mandatory prison time of at least one year. This Act will help combat check fraud that is occurring when criminals present counterfeit or altered checks to a financial institution with intent to defraud. As mentioned above, a significant amount of check fraud is originating from checks stolen in the mail.

Read the Legislation