HLS 22RS-739 ENGROSSED
2022 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 392
BY REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES
DISTRICTS/COMMUNICATIONS: Provides relative to employees of communications
districts
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 33:9103(D) and 9124(B), relative to communications districts;
3 to provide relative to employees of such districts; to provide that certain employees
4 may be considered first responders; and to provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 33:9103(D) and 9124(B) are hereby amended and reenacted to read
7as follows:
8 §9103. Board of commissioners; membership; qualifications and terms; powers;
9 parish governing authority as district governing authority
10 * * *
11 D.(1) The commission shall have authority to employ such employees,
12 experts, and consultants as it may deem necessary to assist the commission in the
13 discharge of its responsibilities to the extent that funds are made available.
14 (2) Any district employee who is an emergency public safety
15 telecommunicator who provides communications support services for an agency by
16 responding to requests for assistance in emergencies may be considered a first
17 responder.
18 * * *
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 22RS-739 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 392
1 §9124. Creation of district; jurisdiction; governing authority; powers
2 * * *
3 B.(1) The governing authority shall have authority to employ such experts,
4 employees, and consultants as may be deemed necessary to assist the district in the
5 discharge of its responsibilities to the extent that funds are made available.
6 (2) Any district employee who is an emergency public safety
7 telecommunicator who provides communications support services for an agency by
8 responding to requests for assistance in emergencies may be considered a first
9 responder.
10 * * *
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)]
HB 392 Engrossed 2022 Regular Session Hughes
Abstract: Provides that certain employees of communications districts may be considered
first responders.
Present law authorizes the governing authority of any parish to create communications
districts composed of territory lying within the parish. Provides for the establishment of the
number 911 as the primary emergency telephone number for use in communications districts
and for the identification of all streets, roads, highways, and dwelling places in the districts.
Provides that the districts are political subdivisions of the state and are generally governed
by a seven-member board of commissioners. Provides that the Jefferson Parish
communications district is governed by the parish governing authority.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law authorizes the governing board to employ employees, experts, and consultants
as it may deem necessary to assist the commission in the discharge of its responsibilities to
the extent that funds are made available.
Proposed law retains present law and additionally provides that district employees who are
emergency public safety telecommunicators who provide communications support services
for an agency by responding to requests for assistance in emergencies may be considered
first responders.
(Amends R.S. 33:9103(D) and 9124(B))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Municipal, Parochial
and Cultural Affairs to the original bill:
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 22RS-739 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 392
1. Make bill applicable to employees who are emergency public safety
telecommunicators rather than emergency response operators or emergency
services dispatchers.
2. Make bill permissive rather than mandatory.
3. Remove definition of first responder.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.