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)]
Smith HCR No. 136
Urges and requests the Department of Economic Development to encourage new and existing
Louisiana companies to create strategies aimed to increase the number of women employed in
STEM positions.
Explains the most recent trends in wage disparities between women and men across the nation
and in the state of Louisiana.
Explains the meaning of STEM and its economic impact across the nation and our state relative
to the wage disparity between women and men.
Encourages companies relocating to Louisiana to show their commitment to women in STEM by
encouraging the diversity of their current staff and by working with educational systems in
Louisiana to promote women in STEM positions.
Urges the state to continue encouraging Louisiana firms offering STEM-related jobs to make
these jobs known to students and graduates through technological portals.
Encourages the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus, the Office on Women's Policy, the
Louisiana Department of Education, the Louisiana Board of Regents, and Louisiana Economic
Development to collectively commit to seeing an increase in the number of women studying and
working in STEM disciplines by crafting recruitment strategies highlighting STEM positions as
open and available to women.