Louisiana Bill to Criminalize ‘Loud Sounds’ Passes House

LOUISIANA - A new proposal, Louisiana bill 132, is moving through the state legislature aiming to make it a crime to intentionally direct loud or harmful sounds at someone.

You probably have a few questions about this, and so do we, so let's take a look at what this proposed new Louisiana law is actually all about.

What The Proposed Louisiana Law Actually Targets

This potential new law isn’t about your neighbor’s loud speakers or someone riding down I-10 with their bass cranked. Instead, lawmakers are focusing on intentional use of sound as a weapon.

READ MORE: Louisiana's Strangest Laws Still on the Books

The bill would make it illegal to direct loud or disruptive noise at another person if it’s meant to harm, intimidate, or distress them according to yahoo.com.

That could include things like using high-pitched sound devices, blasting noise directly at someone during a confrontation, "weaponizing sound" in a way that causes physical discomfort or distress.

Yeah, we still have a few questions too, but the key word here? Intentional.

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How This Is Different From Current Louisiana Noise Laws

Louisiana already has laws on the books when it comes to excessive noise.

From legis.la.gov -

"Sound over 85 decibels from 25 feet away can already be considered illegal in some cases.

'Disturbing the peace' laws can lead to fines or even jail time."

READ MORE: Louisiana, Is It Illegal to Blow Grass Clippings Into the Street?

Those laws mainly focus on volume and public disturbance, while this new proposal shifts the focus to how sound is used, and maybe most importantly, who it’s directed at.

Why Louisiana Lawmakers Say This Bill Is Needed

Supporters of House Bill 132 argue that sound can be more than just annoying, it can actually be harmful. In certain situations, loud or targeted noise can cause physical discomfort, trigger anxiety or panic, be used to intimidate or harass someone.

The idea behind the bill is to treat sound used as a weapon the same way other forms of harassment or intimidation are treated under the law.

Concerns And Criticism Around Louisiana House Bill 132

Opponents to Louisiana House Bill 132 say this proposed law could cause some issues because the law is too vague, that it's open to interpretation, and that it could it potentially used to limit certain forms of expression.

There’s also concern about how this could impact Louisiana Festival and Mardi Gras culture where music, parades, and public celebrations are part of everyday life.

The Bottom Line

Instead of focusing on how loud something is, lawmakers are looking at why it’s loud and who it’s aimed at. If passed, it could make a significant change in how the state handles noise, not just as a nuisance, but as something that can be used intentionally to harm others.

Read more over at NOLA.com.