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 954 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Mena
Abstract: Provides for occupations and professions and disqualification from licensure for
convictions involving moral turpitude.
Present law provides that each of the following regulatory authorities shall have the power to deny
a license, certificate, or permit, or to take disciplinary action, pursuant to the disciplinary procedures
of the respective regulatory authority against any licensee or certificate holder found by the authority
to be guilty of any crime or offense of moral turpitude:
(1)Engineering and Surveying. (R.S. 37:698(A)(3))
(2)Geoscientists. (R.S. 37:711.23(A)(3))
(3)Embalming and funeral directors. (R.S. 37:846(A)(9))
(4)Nursing. (R.S. 37:921(8))
(5)Optometry. (R.S. 37:1061(A)(4))
(6)Pharmacy. (R.S. 37:1241(A)(4))
(7) Physician assistants. (R.S. 37:1360.33(7))
(8)Genetic counselors. (R.S. 37:1360.108(A)(2))
(9)Realtors. (R.S. 37:1437(B)(1), 1437.1(B)(2), and 1450(A)(3))
(10)Veterinarians. (R.S. 37:1526(A)(5))
(11)Animal euthanasia technicians. (R.S. 37:1554(A)(9))
(12)Financial planning and management services. (R.S. 37:2585(2))
(13)Hearing aid dealers. (R.S. 37:2453(1))
(14)Shorthand reporters. (R.S. 37:2557(A)(1)(b)) (15) Equine dentists. (R.S. 37:1565(A)(2))
(16)Polygraphists. (R.S. 37:2838(A)(1) and 2848(e))
(17)Real estate appraisers. (R.S. 37:3396(D)(3) and 3409(E)(3))
(18)Clinical exercise physiologists. (R.S. 37:3429(A)(1))
(19)Rehabilitation counselors. (R.S. 37:3449(A)(1))
(20)Private investigator. (R.S. 37:3507(A)(3))
Proposed law removes the crime or offense of moral turpitude from the offenses or violations for
which the respective regulatory authority shall take disciplinary action or deny licensure or
certification for.
Proposed law provides that licenses from the real estate commission shall be granted only to persons,
partnerships, limited liability companies, associations, corporations, or other legal entities that bear
a good reputation for honesty, trustworthiness, integrity, and competence to transact the real estate
activities.
Proposed law removes the requirement that an entity bear a good reputation for honesty,
trustworthiness, integrity, and competence.
Present law provides that if an applicant has been convicted of forgery, embezzlement, obtaining
money under false pretenses, larceny, extortion, conspiracy to defraud, or theft, or has been convicted
of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude in any court of competent jurisdiction, such
untrustworthiness of the applicant, and the conviction, may in itself be sufficient grounds for refusal
of a license.
Proposed law amends present law to remove a crime involving moral turpitude and that such
untrustworthiness of the applicant, and the conviction, may in itself be sufficient grounds for refusal
of a license.
Present law provides for the criminal record effect on trade, occupational, and professional licensing.
Proposed law provides that licensing boards shall not use vague or generic terms including and
without limitation to the phrases "moral turpitude" and "good character".
(Amends R.S. 37:698(A)(3), 711.23(A)(3), 846(A)(9), 1061(A)(4), 1241(A)(4), 1360.108(A)(2),
1437(B)(1), 1437.1(B)(2), 1450(A)(3), 1526(A)(5), 1554(A)(9), 2585(2), 2838(A)(1), 2848(e),
3396(D)(3), 3409(E)(3), 3429(A)(1), 3449(A)(1), and 3507(A)(3); Adds R.S. 37:2950(C); Repeals
R.S. 37:921(8), 1360.33(7), 1565(A)(2), 2453(1), and 2557(A)(1)(b))