Another extraordinary week for LFF and our allies at the Louisiana Capitol! Even this week’s inclement weather could not topple nor delay the passage of excellent legislation! On Wednesday, despite tornados, heavy winds and a deluge of rains, the House Education Committee chaired by Rep. Laurie Schlegel assembled and passed HB 121 by Rep. Raymond Crews and HB 122 by Rep. Dodie Horton, bills which prohibit the sexualization of children in public schools. Before the House departed for the weekend, lawmakers passed overwhelmingly the Women’s Safety and Protection Act to provide for the security of women in private spaces by prohibiting men from entering those spaces. Rep. Roger Wilder did an excellent job presenting this bill on the House floor! See how your representative voted on this bill here. Watch the Rep. Wilder's testimony at this video.
Next week is the halfway point of this Session!
HB 71 Rep. Horton - Requires Ten Commandments displayed in every public K-12 classroom. Does not require that public funds be used. PASSED HOUSE
HB 98 HB 126 Rep. M Landry - Deletes Louisiana Marriage Amendment of 2004 in Constitution. Allows marriage between any two persons. DEFERED IN HOUSE CIVIL LAW
HB 114 Rep. Farnum - Requires Secretary of State to conduct annual canvass of registered voters. PASSED HOUSE
HB 121 Rep. Crews - Requires public school employees to use “given names” and pronouns for students unless parents provide written permission. PASSED HOUSE ED
HB 122 Rep. Horton - Prohibits a public-school employee at K-12 schools from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity with students. PASSED HOUSE ED
HB 234 Rep. Boyd - Creates a protected class employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity. FAILED HOUSE LABOR
HB 334 Rep. Amedee - Authorizes schools boards to provide for chaplains to serve in public schools as employees or on a volunteer basis. PASSED HOUSE. 86-6
HB 288 Rep. Amedee - Requires coroner to include immunization records in autopsy report for infants under the age of one year who die unexpectedly. PASSED HOUSE JUDICIARY
HB 515 Rep. Horton - Prohibits government restriction of freedom of choice regarding the purchase of any vehicle by a private citizen based on the fuel source. PASSED HOUSE 98-4
HB 548 Rep. Amedee - Students who complete approved home study programs and satisfy TOPS core curriculum and GPA requirements to the same ACT requirements as graduates of public and approved non-public high schools. PASSED HOUSE EDUCATION
HB 608 Rep. Wilder - Provides for the distinction between males and females and provides for protections for women and girls against threats from men. PASSED HOUSE 80-17
HB 644 Rep. Dickerson - Provides that students enrolled in home study programs may try out for and participate in public school activities, including but not limited to extracurricular activities and interscholastic athletics. PASSED HOUSE 98-2
SB 194 Sen. Miguez - Parish or local ordinances for firearms cannot be any more restrictive than state law. PASSED SENATE 28-11
SB 276 Sen. Pressly - New crime of attempting to poison a pregnant woman with an abortion-inducing drug to the list of racketeering crimes.
SB 277 Sen. Duplessis - Reduction in employee and salary requirements of New Orleans casino operating contract. PASSED SENATE JUDICIARY B
SB 325 Sen. Edmonds - Compatible with Love Empowerment Act - Ensure that individuals facing the news that unborn child has a fetal genetic anomaly receive information that can assist them in caring for their child both before and after birth. PASSED SENATE 30-7
SB 388 Sen. Hodges - Creates the crimes of unlawful entry and unlawful reentry by an illegal alien into this state. PASSED SENATE 28-11
This is likely the most productive week in public policy in my 35-year tenure at the Capitol!
Gene Mills
Louisiana Family Forum
