Author
Louisiana Legislature passes CROWN Act to end natural hairstyle discrimination
Louisiana students and workers may soon be protected from discrimination based on their hairstyle. House Bill 1083, authored by Rep. Candace Newell, D-New Orleans, would include “skin color, facial characteristics, hair texture, natural hairstyles and protective hairstyles” as traits protected against discrimination in Louisiana. The bill passed in the Louisiana Senate by a 29-4 vote […]
TOPS eligibility eased for students affected by Hurricane Ida
The Louisiana Legislature passed a bill that would modify eligibility requirements for Louisiana’s free college tuition program. Senate Bill 178, authored by Sen. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, would waive certain GPA requirements for the state’s TOPS program and extend deadlines for turning in ACT scores to universities. The bill would also prevent students who transferred […]
Author kills Louisiana’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill
For now, Louisiana teachers will still be allowed to discuss sexual orientation and gender identity in K-12 classrooms. Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton, author of what’s been labeled Louisiana’s “Don’t Say Gay” legislation, told the Illuminator she has voluntarily shelved her bill for this legislative session. Her bill would have made it illegal for schools to […]
Louisiana lawmakers want to know why there are more people without housing
Lawmakers may soon get a more comprehensive look at the rise in people without roofs over their heads in Louisiana. House Resolution 194, authored by Jason Hughes, D-New Orleans, asks the Louisiana Housing Corp., the state’s public housing agency, to look into “the lack of affordable housing and to identify potential funding sources to address […]
Schools, public agencies that require vaccinations could be sued under Louisiana proposal
Public schools and government agencies that require vaccinations could face lawsuits from anyone who’s barred entry for failing to comply, according to a proposal advancing in the Louisiana Legislature. House Bill 54, authored by Rep. Larry Bagley, R-Stonewall, advanced from a state Senate committee Tuesday by a 4-2 vote. Bagley, a retired educator, chairs the […]
Louisiana close to updating name, image, likeness law to pay college athletes
Legislation that would allow Louisiana universities and their deep-pocketed supporters to pay student-athletes directly was approved Thursday in House of Representatives with a 93-4 vote. All that is left is Senate concurrence on amendments before the governor will consider an update to the state’s name, image and likeness (NIL) law Senate Bill 250, authored by Sen. […]
Louisiana lawmakers encouraged to serve as substitute teachers
Louisiana students may soon see their local state representative as their new substitute teacher. The state House of Representatives unanimously passed House Resolution 99 Thursday. It requests each House member to volunteer as a substitute teacher in a public school. “Most of us have been sitting on the bench, and now’s the time when the […]
Bill to prevent vaccine status discrimination shelved by author
A bill that would have protected unvaccinated Louisiana residents from discrimination was voluntarily shelved by its author on the Louisiana House floor Wednesday. House Bill 253, sponsored by Rep. Kathy Edmonston, R-Gonzales, would amend several existing discrimination statutes, adding vaccination or immunity status as a protected class. Edmonston said to the House that she is […]
Corporal punishment ban passes in Louisiana House on 3rd try
Despite two failed previous attempts to pass the legislation, the Louisiana House passed a ban on corporal punishment in public schools unless a parent or guardian provides written consent. House Bill 649, authored by Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, R-New Orleans, would outlaw “the use of physical force that causes pain or discomfort to discipline a student” […]
‘Hunger-free campus’ program for Louisiana colleges advances in Legislature
Louisiana college students struggling with hunger could soon get support from their universities. House Bill 888, which establishes the “Hunger-Free Campus” program, advanced Wednesday from the state Senate Education Committee. According to a HOPE Center survey, four out of 10 Louisiana college students reported being food insecure, which the federal government defines as someone in […]
Lawmaker seeking to end Confederate holidays in Louisiana says he’s received death threats
The New Orleans lawmaker who wants to end official state recognition of Confederate holidays in Louisiana told his colleagues that he has received death threats over the proposal. House Bill 248, authored by Rep. Matthew Willard, would remove Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day from the state’s legal holiday calendar. The bill has […]
Louisiana House approves CROWN Act to end natural hairstyle discrimination
Louisiana students and workers may soon be protected from discrimination based on their hairstyle. House Bill 1083, authored by Rep. Candace Newell, D-New Orleans, would include “skin color, facial characteristics, hair texture, natural hairstyles and protective hairstyles” as traits protected against discrimination in Louisiana. The bill passed in the Louisiana House by a 74-24 vote. […]