HLS 14RS-195 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 18
BY REPRESENTATIVE TIM BURNS
LEGISLATION: Requests a study regarding the use of gender neutral language
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the Louisiana State Law Institute to review and evaluate terminology2
denoting gender that is currently contained in Louisiana law, to propose alternative3
gender-neutral terminology to be used prospectively by the Legislature of Louisiana4
when enacting or amending legislation, and to identify gender-identifying5
terminology in current Louisiana law and recommend substitutions.6
WHEREAS, traditionally, the language in Louisiana law has been gender based,7
using masculine pronouns or other gender-specific terms; and 8
WHEREAS, Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution of Louisiana prohibits any law9
from arbitrarily, capriciously, or unreasonably discriminating against a person because of10
sex; and11
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature recognizes the need for gender equality12
evidenced by the enactment of Act No. 374 of the 2013 Regular Session of the Legislature13
of Louisiana, the Louisiana Equal Pay for Women Act; and14
WHEREAS, other states, including Washington and Georgia, have recognized the15
need for gender-neutral laws and have begun a comprehensive revision of their statutes.16
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby17
urge and request the Louisiana State Law Institute to review and evaluate terminology18
denoting gender that is currently contained in Louisiana law and propose alternative gender-19
neutral terminology to be used prospectively by the Legislature of Louisiana when enacting20
or amending legislation.21 HLS 14RS-195 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 18
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana State Law Institute identify gender1
identifying terminology in current Louisiana law and recommend substitutions, provided that2
the substitutions do not alter substantive meaning.3
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana State Law Institute report its4
findings and recommendations to the Legislature of Louisiana prior to the convening of the5
2015 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.6
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted7
to the director of the Louisiana State Law Institute.8
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)]
Tim Burns HCR No. 18
Requests the La. State Law Institute to study the use of gender-neutral terminology in La.
law.