Louisiana 2014 2014 Regular Session

Louisiana House Bill HB744 Comm Sub / Analysis

                    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)]
Moreno	HB No. 744
Abstract: Provides protection from employer retaliation for information given by an employee
regarding any violation of labor laws.
Present law (R.S. 23:967) protects an employee from reprisal when the employee, in good faith,
and after advising the employer of the violation of law, discloses or threatens to disclose the
violation of state law, provides information during an investigation of the violation, or objects or
refuses to participate in the violation of law.
Proposed law creates a provision regarding protection from retaliation in employment to the
Chapter in which the discrimination statutes exist.
Proposed law (R.S. 23:665(B)) clarifies that the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights has
authority to investigate and enforce the provisions of the Louisiana Equal Pay for Women Act.
Present law (R.S. 51:2232(12)) defines "discriminatory practice in connection with employment"
to include employment practices prohibited by Title 23, including age, disability, race, color,
religion, sex, or national origin.
Proposed law retains present law and extends the definition of "discriminatory practice in
connection with employment" to include all of the discrimination statutes in present law (Chapter
3-A of Title 23), which would add veterans, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical
conditions, sickle cell trait, and genetic information.
Present law provides that the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights has the authority to
receive, initiate, investigate, seek to conciliate, hold hearings on, and pass upon complaints
alleging violations involving discrimination in employment.
Proposed law clarifies that the procedures in present law shall be used in the investigation and
complaint process for all employment discrimination laws.
(Amends R.S. 23:665(B), R.S. 51:2231(C), 2232(12) and (13), 2235(intro. para.) and (9),
2237(1), and 2256; Adds R.S. 23:304)