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Louisiana colleges, boosters could soon pay student-athletes, recruits directly
Legislation that would allow Louisiana universities and their deep-pocketed supporters to pay student-athletes directly moved one step closer to the governor’s desk Wednesday. Senate Bill 250, authored by Sen. Patrick Connick, R-Marrero, would allow colleges, universities, their affiliates and boosters to compensate student-athletes for use of their name, image and likeness. The proposal advanced out […]
Bills to shield unvaccinated students advance in Louisiana Legislature
Louisiana schools may soon have to change how they handle vaccinations and vaccine exemptions among their students. Multiple bills that would weaken a school’s ability to enforce a vaccine mandate passed Tuesday in the House Education Committee. House Bill 531, authored by Beryl Amedee, R-Houma, would allow parents of unvaccinated children to sue a school […]
Bill to ban racial oppression as subject in Louisiana schools is shelved
A proposal that would have made it illegal for schools to teach that students of any race or national origin face oppression was voluntarily shelved Tuesday by its author. House Bill 808, authored by Rep. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs, would have added to the “Parents’ Bill of Rights for Public Schools” that “the school shall […]
CROWN Act to end natural hairstyle descrimination fails again in Louisiana
Legislation to protect Louisiana students and workers from discrimination based on their natural or protective hairstyles failed to make it through the Louisiana Legislature for the second year in a row. House Bill 667, authored by Rep. Tammy Phelps, D-Shreveport, failed Monday in the House Civil Law and Procedure Committee by a 6-8 vote. Phelps’ […]
Another attempt to ban corporal punishment in Louisiana public schools fails
The bill failed in a 51-42 vote, needing 53 votes to pass. A dozen House members were absent, and Hilferty can bring her proposal back for reconsideration if she gets more support.
Transgender athlete ban from women’s sports moves closer to final passage
Another attempt to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls’ high school and women’s college sports in Louisiana advanced Wednesday in the Legislature. The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, authored by Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, was approved in a 7-1 vote by the House Education Committee. Rep. Aimee Freeman, D-New Orleans, was the sole opponent. […]
TOPS recipients could soon keep family income private
The disclosure of recipient family income in the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) would end under a bill that received unanimous approval Monday, May 2, 2022, from the Louisiana Senate.(Photo by Julie O'Donoghue/Louisiana Illuminator)
Republicans block multiple efforts to raise Louisiana minimum wage
Republicans on a legislative committee blocked multiple bills Thursday that would have raised the minimum wage for Louisiana workers from $7.25, which ties with six other states for lowest in the country. One of the proposed bills, House Bill 311 authored by Rep. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge, would have gradually raised the minimum wage from […]
Schools could be required to inform parents about vaccine exemptions
A bill to require Louisiana schools include details on exemptions when sending out written information on vaccine requirements to parents advanced Wednesday in the Legislature. In Louisiana, vaccine requirements can be easily circumvented for reasons of health, religion or conscience, according to state law. Parents can exempt a child from taking a vaccine in writing […]
Anti-LGTBQ housing discrimination bill advances after second attempt
Right now, Louisiana’s anti-housing discrimination laws don’t protect against discrimination against LGBTQ residents, putting the state out of sync with federal requirements. House Bill 303, authored by Rep. Aimee Freeman, D-New Orleans, looks to make it illegal in Louisiana to refuse to rent or sell housing to someone because of their sexual orientation and gender […]
Bill advances to restrict porn access on Louisiana college campuses
Louisiana college students could be barred accessing pornography or sexually explicit content on their personal phones or computers while connected to a university’s wifi network or internet service provider. Senate Bill 131, filed by Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, would require each public university to prohibit access to content that is “sexually explicit, pornographic, or sexually […]