HB 1137 — EMPLOYMENT/DISCRIMINATN: Prohibits intentional discrimination based on compelled speech with respect to using certain pronouns, names, or honorifics

HLSENROLLED 26RS-2683 REENGROSSED Regular Session HOUSE BILL NO.

1137 BY REPRESENTATIVE CREWS EMPLOYMENT/DISCRIMINATN:AND SENATORS BASS, EDMONDS, HODGES, MIGUEZ, MORRIS, AND SEABAUGH AN ACT To enact R.S.

Prohibits intentional discrimination based on compelled speech with respect to using certain pronouns, names, or honorifics AN ACT To enact R.S.

(1)(a) "Employee"meansapersonwhoperformsservicesforwagesorother"Employee"meansapersonemployedbythestate,anybranchofstate remunerationgovernment, andanystate isboard, subjectcommission, toor theother directionagency, or controlanylocal ofsubdivision anofthestatefortheperformanceofwork,includingafull-time,part-time,temporary, employer in the performance of work, including a full-time, part-time, temporary, or seasonal worker.

(2)Page "Legal1 name" means a person's name as evidenced on the person's original birth certificate issued at or near the time of birth,4 orCODING: otherwise lawfully amended.

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1137 (3)ENROLLED "Sex"(2) meansaperson's"Employer" immutablemeans biologicalsex,eitherany femaleor male, as may be evidenced on the original birth certificate issued at or near the time of birth that indicates that the person is one of the following:

(a) The state of Louisiana and any office, department, agency, board, commission, institution, or instrumentality thereof.

(b) Any political subdivision of the state, including but not limited to any parish or municipality, special district, or other local governmental unit, and any agency, board, commission, or instrumentality thereof.

(3) "Legal name" means a person's name as evidenced on the person's original birth certificate issued at or near the time of birth, or otherwise lawfully amended.

(4) "Sex" means a person's immutable biological sex,eitherfemaleormale, as may be evidenced on the original birth certificate issued at or near the time of birth that indicates that the person is one of the following:

(2)Page An2 employee shall not be subject to an adverse employment action for declining or refusing to do any of the4 following:CODING:

Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.

HB NO.

1137 ENROLLED (2) An employee shall not be subject to an adverse employment action for declining or refusing to do any of the following:

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1137 E.

(1) The Supreme Court of the United States has held that the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States protects not only the right to speak freelybutfreely but also the right to refrain from speaking.

(4)Page Provide3 clear statutory protections consistent with the First Amendment of the4 ConstitutionCODING: of the United States and applicable court opinions.

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1137 DIGESTENROLLED ThedigestprintedbelowwaspreparedbyHouseLegislative(4) Services.Provide clear statutory protections consistent with the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and applicable court opinions.

ItSPEAKER constitutesOF nopartTHE ofHOUSE theOF legislativeREPRESENTATIVES instrument.PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA APPROVED:

ThePage keyword,4 one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the4 lawCODING: or proof or indicia of legislative intent.

[R.S.

1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HB 1137 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Crews Abstract:

Prohibits intentional discrimination based on compelled speech with respect to using certain pronouns, salutations, titles, or honorifics in the workplace.

Proposed law defines "employee", "female", "male", "legal name", and "sex".

Proposed law prohibits an employer from adopting or enforcing a policy that requires an employee to state or identify pronouns inconsistent with the employee's sex.

Proposed law prohibits an employer from adopting or enforcing a policy that requires an employee to use a name other than the employee's legal name, or a derivative of the legal name, in the official employment records or communications.

Proposed law prohibits an employee from being required, as a condition of employment, to address another employee or any other person by a name other than the employee's or person's legal name, or derivative of the legal name, or to use pronouns, salutations, titles, or honorifics inconsistent with the other employee's or person's sex.

Proposed law prohibits an employee from being subject to an adverse employment action for declining or refusing to do any of the following:

(1) Identify the employee's own pronouns.

(2) Address a person using a name other than the person's legal name, or a derivative of thelegalname,orbyapronoun,salutation, title, orotherhonorificinconsistent with the person's sex.

Proposed law prohibits an employee from being subject to an adverse employment action for using pronouns consistent with a person's sex.

Proposed law provides that nothing in proposed law is to be construed as prohibiting a request or voluntary agreement among employees regarding forms of addressing a person, as long as that agreement is not compelled by the employer.

Proposed law provides for legislative findings and intent.