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 86 Reengrossed 2023 Regular Session Hodges
Abstract: Provides relative to liability of a public school teacher, principal, or administrator for
intervening to protect a student or school employee from a battery or aggravated battery.
Present law provides that no teacher, principal, or administrator in a public school system or in an
approved nonpublic school shall be personally liable for any act or failure to act in the directing of
or disciplining of school children under his care and supervision, unless such act or failure to act was
malicious and willfully and deliberately intended to cause bodily harm.
Proposed law amends present law to provide immunity from civil liability for any teacher, principal,
or administrator in a public school system or in an approved nonpublic school who acts or fails to
act in the directing of or disciplining of school students under his care and supervision, unless such
act or failure to act was malicious and willfully and deliberately intended to cause bodily harm.
Proposed law provides immunity from civil liability and criminal prosecution for a teacher, principal,
or administrator in a public school system or in an approved nonpublic school who intervenes and
acts in justifiable defense to protect a student or a school employee from a battery or aggravated
battery committed by one or more students unless the act of intervention was malicious and willfully
and deliberately intended to cause bodily harm.
Proposed law provides that no teacher, principal, or administrator shall be required to intervene in
a battery or aggravated battery.
Proposed law shall be cited and referred to as the "Protect Teachers Act".
(Amends R.S. 17:416.11)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Specify that a teacher, principal, or administrator shall not be required to intervene in a
battery or aggravated battery.