RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 644 (HB 954) 2024 Regular Session Mena
Prior law provided 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))
New 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 refusal of a license.
Existing law provides that licenses from the La. 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 real estate activities.
New law removes the requirement that an entity bears a good reputation for honesty,
trustworthiness, integrity, and competence. Existing 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.
New law removes existing law provisions relative to crimes involving moral turpitude and
untrustworthiness of the applicant. New law retains existing law that the conviction may,
in itself, be sufficient grounds for refusal of a license.
Existing law provides for the effect of a criminal record on trade, occupational, and
professional licensing.
New law provides that licensing boards shall not use vague or generic terms including but
not limited to the phrases "moral turpitude" and "good character".
Effective August 1, 2024.
(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)(intro. para.) and (1), 1437.1(B)(intro. para.) and (2), 1450(A)(3),
1526(A)(5), 1554(A)(9), 2585(2), 2838(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))