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 81 Original 2023 Regular Session Crews
Abstract: Requires public school employees to use certain names and pronouns for students unless
parents provide written permission to do otherwise. Proposed law requires school employees to:
(1)Use the name for a student that is listed on the student's birth certificate unless the student's
parent provides written permission to do otherwise.
(2)Use the pronoun for a student that aligns with the student's sex unless the student's parent
provides written permission to do otherwise.
Proposed law provides that an employee shall not be required to use pronouns for any person that
differ from the pronouns that align with that person's sex if doing so is contrary to the employee's
religious or moral convictions.
Proposed law defines "employee" as any individual working in any capacity at a public school,
whether paid or as a volunteer, including but not limited to teachers and other school employees,
school bus operators, extracurricular personnel, and independent contractors and defines "sex" as a
person's biological sex as listed on the person's original birth certificate.
Proposed law further provides:
(1)Proposed law shall not shall be construed to prohibit employees from discussing matters of
public concern outside the context of their official duties.
(2)Any individual aggrieved by a violation of proposed law may seek relief.
(3)Each public school governing authority shall adopt policies for proposed law
implementation.
(Adds R.S. 17:2122 and 3996(B)(75))