Briefs
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. […]
Louisiana teachers could soon have to pay for an additional criminal background check
Right now, Louisiana K-12 teachers are required to undergo a single criminal background check for their teaching certificate and during the hiring process. They may soon have to go through a subsequent review, paid for partially out of their own pockets. House Bill 156, authored by Rep. Barbara Freiburg, R-Baton Rouge, would require teachers to […]
Governor: Louisiana will take COVID-19 vaccine off school requirement list
Gov. John Bel Edwards said Wednesday state health officials will remove the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of required immunizations for Louisiana students. During his monthly radio show, the governor said it was anticipated that the COVID-19 vaccines would have full federal approval by now. The governor’s announcement will likely throw water on multiple proposals […]
Lawmakers loosen limitations on police mug shots proposal
A Louisiana Senate committee has loosened proposed restrictions to limit the public release of mug shots of police suspects before they are convicted. Changes made Wednesday would allow photos of violent criminal suspects to be issued to the news media, the chief opponent of the legislation. The original version of House Bill 729 would have only […]
Louisiana House rejects LGBTQ housing discrimination protections
For the foreseeable future, Louisiana’s anti-housing discrimination laws, which don’t protect against discrimination against LGBTQ residents, will remain out of sync with federal requirements. House Bill 303, authored by Rep. Aimee Freeman, D-New Orleans, would have made it illegal in Louisiana to refuse to sell or rent housing to someone because of their sexual orientation […]
Corporal punishment ban for Louisiana public schools one vote shy of approval
For the second time this legislative session, the Louisiana House struck down a ban on corporal punishment in public schools. House Bill 649, authored by Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, R-New Orleans, would have outlawed “the use of physical force that causes pain or discomfort to discipline a student” in Louisiana schools. Correctional employees are not allowed […]
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 […]
Louisiana Senate rejects permanent local say for industrial tax breaks
The relatively new voice local taxing bodies have over whether industrial projects receive major tax breaks could soon fade after the Louisiana Senate rejected an attempt Tuesday to make their say permanent. Gov. John Bel Edwards issued an executive order six years ago that gave locals the right to approve or reject their share of […]
Louisiana House revives ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill with rare procedural move
Conservatives in the Louisiana House of Representatives turned to a seldom used procedure Tuesday to bring a controversial education proposal back from the dead. With just two votes to spare, members revived a bill that would prohibit public school teachers and employees from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity with students. The so-called “Don’t Say […]
Attempt to boost Louisiana State Police leader’s accountability dies in committee
A proposal to insert accountability into the close-knit relationship between the leader of Louisiana State Police and the governor died Tuesday in the Legislature, despite overwhelming bipartisan support for the idea amid multiple investigations into the law enforcement agency. Democrat Cleo Fields, lead author for Senate Bill 400, wants to create a deputy secretary of public […]
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 […]