Text of LA HB 981 (2008)

HLS 08RS-1323 ORIGINAL Page 1 of 2 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. Regular Session, 2008 HOUSE BILL NO. 981 BY REPRESENTATIVE LAFONTA DISCRIMINATION: Prohibits discrimination in state government AN ACT 1 To enact R.S. 49:200.2, relative to employment; to prohibit discrimination and harassment 2 in state government; to provide for definitions; to allow dress and appearance 3 requirements; and to provide for related matters. 4 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: 5 Section 1. R.S. 49:200.2 is hereby enacted to read as follows: 6 §200.2 Prohibition of discrimination or harassment 7 A. No state agencies, departments, offices, commissions, boards, entities, or 8 officers of the state of Louisiana shall harass or discriminate on the basis of race, 9 color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, or 10 disabilities against any individual in the provision of any service or benefit by such 11 agencies, departments, offices, commissions, boards, or entities. 12 B. No state agencies, departments, offices, commissions, boards, entities, or 13 officers of the state of Louisiana shall harass or discriminate on the basis of race, 14 color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, or 15 disabilities against any individual in any manner pertaining to employment by the 16 state, including but not limited to hiring, promotion, tenure, recruitment, or 17 compensation. 18 C. For the purposes of this Section, "sexual orientation" shall be defined as 19 heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality. 20 HLS 08RS-1323 ORIGINAL HB NO. 981 Page 2 of 2 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. D. All state agencies, departments, offices, commissions, boards, entities, or 1 officers of the state of Louisiana or any political subdivision thereof are authorized 2 and directed to cooperate with the implementation of the provisions of this Section. 3 E. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit any state agency, 4 department, office, commission, board, or entity from establishing appropriate dress 5 and appearance requirements for its employees. 6 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not 7 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature 8 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If 9 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become 10 effective on the day following such approval. 11 DIGEST The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] LaFonta HB No. 981 Abstract: Prohibits state agencies and officers from harassing or discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, or disabilities. Proposed law prohibits state agencies, departments, offices, commissions, boards, entities, and officers of the state from harassing or discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, or disabilities against any individual in the provision of any service or benefit by such entities. Proposed law prohibits state agencies, departments, offices, commissions, boards, entities, and officers of the state from harassing or discriminating on any such basis against an individual in regard to employment by the state, including hiring, promotion, tenure, recruitment, or compensation. Proposed law defines "sexual orientation" as heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality. Proposed law provides that all state agencies and officers are directed to cooperate with the implementation of the provisions of proposed law. Proposed law specifies that nothing in proposed law shall be construed to prohibit any state agency from establishing appropriate dress and appearance requirements for its employees. Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action. (Adds R.S. 49:200.2)