GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 531 2017 Regular Session Hoffmann
(KEYWORD, SUMMARY, AND DIGEST as amended by Senate committee
amendments)
HEALTH/SMOK ING: Prohibits the use of tobacco products on school property
DIGEST
Present law prohibits certain activities related to smoking at schools.
Present law defines "smoking" as the possession of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, or any
other lighted tobacco product.
Proposed law expands the definition of "smoking" to include e-cigs, e-cigarettes, electronic
cigarettes, advanced personal vaporizers, vape pens, and vape mods.
Present law prohibits any person from smoking, chewing, or otherwise consuming any
tobacco or tobacco product in any elementary or secondary school building. Proposed law
adds inhaling, ingesting, and absorbing to the prohibition against the use of tobacco and
tobacco products in school buildings. Further prohibits any student or school employee from
smoking, chewing, inhaling, or otherwise consuming any tobacco product on any school
property. Excepts from this prohibition any tobacco product approved by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco cessation product that is marketed and sold solely
for such an approved purpose.
Proposed law defines "school property" as school grounds, playgrounds, premises, and
property, including but not limited to land, improvement, and facilities, and school vehicles
used for the provision of academic and extracurricular programs and administration, at any
elementary or secondary school, the La. School for the Deaf, the La. School for the Visually
Impaired, the La. Special Education Center, and schools in the Special School District.
Present law authorizes the designation of smoking areas on school property. Proposed law
deletes this authorization.
Present law prohibits smoking on any school bus transporting children attending any public
school. Proposed law prohibits use of a tobacco product on any school bus or school vehicle
transporting students attending any school.
Proposed law provides that the provisions of proposed law shall not apply to any school
property that is rented, leased, or otherwise made available for non-educational purposes.
Effective upon the signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:240(A) and (B))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.
Page 1 of 2
Prepared by Cheryl M. Serrett. Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the
reengrossed bill
1. Removes the definition of tobacco product and expands existing definition of
smoking to include e-cigs, e-cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, advanced personal
vaporizers, vape pens, and vape mods.
2. Restricts the use of all tobacco products in school buildings and prohibits any
student or school employee from smoking, chewing, inhaling, or otherwise
consuming any tobacco product on any school property.
3. Clarifies that tobacco products are prohibited on any school vehicle transporting
students.
Page 2 of 2
Prepared by Cheryl M. Serrett.