Louisiana 2026 Regular Session Status: Passed House Bipartisan · 11 R · 2 D cosponsors

HB 1008 — COLLEGES/FACULTY: Prohibits public postsecondary education institutions from retaliating against faculty members for disclosing certain alleged violations or exercising academic freedom or free speech

Last action — Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary A.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the House. Introduced March 25, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · high confidence

  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 13 sponsors

    1 primary, 12 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (11 R · 2 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

136 added · 138 removed

Plain-language change summary

The revised version of Bill HB 1008 adds specific protections for faculty members at public postsecondary institutions regarding academic freedom and free speech. The key change involves replacing "penalties" with "remedies," emphasizing support and solutions for faculty rather than punitive measures. This shift matters because it encourages a safe environment for open dialogue in educational settings, ensuring that faculty can express their ideas without fear of retaliation.

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HLS 26RS-1749 ENGROSSED Regular Session HOUSE BILL NO.
HLS 26RS-1749 REENGROSSED Regular Session HOUSE BILL NO.
1008 BY REPRESENTATIVE OWEN COLLEGES/FACULTY:
1008 BY REPRESENTATIVES OWEN, AMEDEE, BAYHAM, BRAUD, DICKERSON, DOMANGUE, EDMONSTON, EGAN, HORTON, JACKSON, MCCORMICK, SCHAMERHORN, AND WALTERS COLLEGES/FACULTY:
Prohibits public postsecondary education institutions from retaliating against faculty members for disclosing certain alleged violations or exercising academic freedom or free speech AN ACT To enactPart XV of Chapter 26 of Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be comprised of R.S.
Prohibits public postsecondary education institutions from retaliating against faculty members for disclosing certain alleged violations or exercising academic freedom or free speech AN ACT To enact Part XV of Chapter 26 of Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be comprised of R.S.
toprohibitapublicpostsecondaryeducationinstitution fromretaliating against a faculty member for disclosing certain alleged violations or exercising academicfreedomorfreespeech;toprovidefordefinitions;toprovideforpenalties;
to prohibit apublicpostsecondaryeducationinstitutionfromretaliating against a faculty member for disclosing certain alleged violations or exercising academicfreedomorfreespeech;toprovidefordefinitions;toprovideforremedies;
to provide for remedies;
to require the Board of Regents to adopt a uniform policy relative to reporting and investigations;torequirepublicpostsecondaryeducationinstitutionstoadheretothe policy;
to require the Board of Regents to adopt a uniform policy relative to reporting and investigations;
to require public postsecondary education institutions to adhere to the policy;
to provide for applicability;
The legislature finds that academic freedom and the free exchange of ideas are essential to the mission of public postsecondary education in Louisiana.
Faculty members must be free to teach, conduct research, publish, and engage in the rigorous exchange of ideas and evidence to educate students.
This Act protects legitimate academic freedomandfreespeechwhilepreservingtheauthorityofinstitutionstoenforceprofessional standards of conduct.
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HLS 26RS-1749 REENGROSSED HB NO.
1008 Section 2.
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(1) "Academic freedom" means the right of faculty members to teach, research,publish,andexpressviewsonmatterswithintheirfieldofexpertisewithout interference, consistent with professional standards and any applicable state law.
Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.
Academic freedom includes the freedom to educate and to engage in the open exchange of ideas and evidence but does not include threatening, intimidating, harassing, demeaning, abusive, or coercive language or conduct.
HLS 26RS-1749 ENGROSSED HB NO.
1008 (1) "Academic freedom" means the right of faculty members to teach, research,publish,andexpressviewsonmatterswithintheirfieldofexpertisewithout interference, consistent with professional standards and institutional policies.
(3) "Free speech" means expression protected under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, as interpreted by the United States Supreme Court, and Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution of Louisiana.
(3) "Free speech" means expression protected under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, as interpreted by the United StatesSupremeCourt,andArticleI,Section7oftheConstitution ofLouisiana.This protection does not include threatening, intimidating, harassing, demeaning, or coercive conduct.
(5) "Retaliate against or harm" means to inflict any adverse action, such as discharge, demotion, suspension, denial of promotion or tenure, reduction in payor benefits, harassment, threats, negative evaluations, reassignment, or any action causing financial, professional, or emotional harm.
(5) "Retaliate against or harm" means to inflict any adverse action, such as discharge, demotion, suspension, denial of promotion or tenure, reduction in payor Page 2 of 6 CODING:
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HLS 26RS-1749 REENGROSSED HB NO.
1008 benefits, harassment, threats, negative evaluations, reassignment, or any action causing financial, professional, or emotional harm.
(a) Disclosing or reporting concerns about any alleged violation of law, regulatorypolicy, or ethical standard or any other alleged act of improprietyrelated to academic, administrative, or operational matters at the institution, including but not limited to reporting concerns to any supervisor, institutional official, state or federalagency, legislator, law enforcementofficer,or thepublicabout waste, fraud, abuse, misconduct, or threats to public health, safety, or institutional integrity.
(a) Disclosing or reporting concerns about any alleged violation of law, regulatory policy, or ethical standard or anyother alleged act of impropriety related to academic, administrative, or operational matters at the institution, including but not limited to reporting concerns to any supervisor, institutional official, state or federalagency, legislator,law enforcementofficer,or the public about waste, fraud, abuse, misconduct, or threats to public health, safety, or institutional integrity.
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(c) Exercising free speech during student instruction consistent with his academic field and the subject matter of the course.
Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.
HLS 26RS-1749 ENGROSSED HB NO.
1008 (c) Exercising free speech during student instruction consistent with his academic field and the subject matter of the course.
(2) A faculty member is not required to give prior notice to the institution relativeto anyoftheactionsprovidedforin Subparagraphs(1)(a)through(c)ofthis Subsection in order for the protection provided in this Section against being retaliated against or harmed to apply.
(2) A faculty member is not required to give prior notice to the institution relativeto anyoftheactionsprovidedforinSubparagraphs(1)(a)through(d)ofthis Subsection in order for the protection provided in this Section against being retaliated against or harmed to apply.
C.
(3) The protections of this Subsection applyonlywhen the facultymember's conductisconsistentwithanyapplicablestatelawanddoesnot involvethreatening, demeaning, intimidating, harassing, abusive, or coercive language or conduct.
Any institution that, or individual who, violates the provisions of Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section shall be subject to:
C.(1) A facultymember aggrieved bya violation of Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section mayseek all remediesavailable to civil plaintiffs under applicable state and federal law.
(1) Civil penalties of not less than ten thousand dollars and not more than one hundred thousand dollars per violation.
(2) Injunctive relief to prevent further violations.
(3) Referral to the attorneygeneral or district attorneyfor potential criminal prosecutionunderapplicablelaws,includingbutnotlimitedtomalfeasanceinoffice as provided in R.S.
14:134 et seq.
D.(1) Anyinstitution that violates the provisions of Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section shall be liable for all harm caused to the faculty member, including but not limited to:
(a) Financial harm, including but not limited to lost wages, benefits, or opportunities.
(b) Professional harm, including but not limited to damage to reputation, career advancement, or research opportunities.
(c) Emotional harm,including but not limited to distress, anxiety, or mental anguish.
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(2) An aggrieved faculty member may bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction within two years of the violation of Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section.
Remedies shall include:
HLS 26RS-1749 ENGROSSED HB NO.
HLS 26RS-1749 REENGROSSED HB NO.
1008 (a) Reinstatement,backpay,andrestorationofbenefitsortenurestatusifthe faculty member proves by a preponderance of the evidence that an adverse action against him was retaliation for conduct provided for in Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section.
1008 (2) In accordance with Article XII, Section 10(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana, an institution shall not be entitled to sovereign immunity for violations of Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section.
(b) Compensatorydamages,includingtrebledamagesforwillfulviolations.
D.
(c) Reasonable attorneyfees and court costs.
Nothing in this Part shall be construed to do any of the following:
(d) Punitive damages of up to five hundred thousand dollars for egregious or repeated violations.
(3) In accordance with Article X, Section 10(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana, an institution shall not be entitled to sovereign immunity for violations of Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section.
E.
Nothing in this Part shall be construed to do either of the following:
F.
(3) Limit or restrict the authority of an institution to enforce standards of professional conduct, including but not limited to prohibitions on threats, intimidation, harassment, or demeaning or abusive language as provided inapplicable state law, Board of Regents policies, or institutional policies.
E.
G.
F.
Each institution shall submit a written report to the legislature byMarch first annually relative to any complaints it receives pertaining to violations of Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section and action taken to resolve such complaints.
Each institution shall submit a written report to the legislature by March first annually relative to any complaints it receives pertaining to violations of Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section and action taken to resolve such complaints.
Section 2.
Section 3.
The provisions of R.S.
17:3399.51 as enacted by Section 1 of this Act shall be applied retroactivelyto January 1, 2025, as well as prospectively.
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HLS 26RS-1749 ENGROSSED HB NO.
1008 Section 3.
DIGEST ThedigestprintedbelowwaspreparedbyHouseLegislative Services.
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HLS 26RS-1749 REENGROSSED HB NO.
1008 DIGEST ThedigestprintedbelowwaspreparedbyHouseLegislative Services.
1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HB 1008 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Owen Abstract:
1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HB 1008 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Owen Abstract:
(Proposed law defines "free speech" as expression protected under the First AmendmentoftheU.S.Constitution, asinterpretedbytheU.S.
(2) Provides that a faculty member is not required to give prior notice to the institution relative to any of those actions in order for proposed law protections to apply.
SupremeCourt, and Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution of La.) (2) Provides that a faculty member is not required to give prior notice to the institution relative to any of those actions in order for proposed law protections to apply.
(3) Provides that these protections apply only when the faculty member's conduct is consistent with any applicable present law and does not involve threatening, demeaning, intimidating, harassing, abusive, or coercive language or conduct.
(3) Provides that any institution that, or individual who, violates this prohibition is subjecttocivil penaltiesof$10,000-$100,000dollarsperviolation, injunctiverelief to prevent further violations, and referral to the attorneygeneral or district attorney for potential criminal prosecution.
(4) Authorizes an aggrieved faculty member to seek all remedies available to civil plaintiffs under applicable present law and federal law.
(4) Providesthataninstitutionthatviolatesthisprohibitionisliableforallharmscaused to the faculty member, including financial harm, professional harm, and emotional harm.
(5) Provides that an institution shall not be entitled to sovereign immunity with respect to violations of proposed law.
(5) Authorizes an aggrieved faculty member to bring a civil action within two years of aviolationofproposedlawandprovidesforremediesincludingreinstatement,back pay, and restoration of benefits or tenure status if the faculty member proves by a preponderanceof the evidencethat an adverseaction against him wasretaliation for conduct provided for in proposed law;
(6) Requires the Bd.
compensatory damages, including treble damagesforwillfulviolations;reasonableattorneyfeesandcourtcosts;andpunitive damages of up to $500,000 for egregious or repeated violations.
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HLS 26RS-1749 ENGROSSED HB NO.
1008 (6) Provides that an institution shall not be entitled to sovereign immunity with respect to violations of proposed law.
(7) Requires the Bd.
(8) Requires each institution to submit a written report to the legislature byMarch first annually relative to any complaints it receives pertaining to violations of proposed law and resolutions relative to such complaints.
(7) Requires each institution to submit a written report to the legislature by March first annually relative to any complaints it receives pertaining to violations of proposed law and resolutions relative to such complaints.
Proposed law provides that nothing in proposed law shall be construed to do either of the following:
Proposed law provides that nothing in proposed law shall be construed to do any of the following:
(2) Prohibit an institution from denying tenure, promotion, or any other benefit to a faculty member who fails to satisfy established, codified performance standards, rubrics, teaching effectivenesscriteria,researchexpectations, service requirements, or other legitimate academic or institutional criteria, as long as such decision is not made in retaliation for conduct provided for in proposed law.
(2) Prohibit an institution from denying tenure, promotion, or any other benefit to a faculty member who fails to satisfy established, codified performance standards, rubrics, teaching effectiveness criteria,researchexpectations, servicerequirements, or other legitimate academic or institutional criteria, as long as such decision is not made in retaliation for conduct provided for in proposed law.
Proposed law provides that proposed law shall be applied retroactively to Jan.
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1, 2025, as well as prospectively.
Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.
HLS 26RS-1749 REENGROSSED HB NO.
1008 (3) Limit or restrict an institution's authority to enforce standards of professional conduct, including but not limited to prohibitions on threats, intimidation, harassment,ordemeaningorabusivelanguageasprovidedinanyapplicablepresent law, Board of Regents policies, or institutional policies.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1.
Remove provisions providing for penalties and liability.
2.
Add that proposed law protections apply only when the faculty member's conduct is consistent with applicable present law and does not involve threatening, demeaning, intimidating, harassing, abusive, or coercive language or conduct.
3.
Add that nothing in proposed law shall be construed to limit or restrict an institution'sauthoritytoenforcestandardsofprofessionalconduct,includingbut not limited to prohibitionsonthreats,intimidation,harassment,ordemeaningor abusive language as provided in any applicable present law, Board of Regents policies, or institutional policies.
4.
Revise provisions relative to remedies.
5.
Revise definitions of "academic freedom" and "free speech".
6.
Remove retroactive application.
7.
Add legislative findings.
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Amendments

5 amendments

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Action History

  1. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary A.

  2. Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

  3. Called from the calendar.

  4. Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 103, nays 0. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

  5. Read by title, returned to the calendar.

  6. Notice given.

  7. Scheduled for floor debate on 04/27/2026.

  8. Scheduled for floor debate on 04/22/2026.

  9. Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.

  10. Reported with amendments (11-0).

  11. Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Education.

  12. Read by title. Lies over under the rules.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 12 co-sponsors · 134 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (12)

Not signed on (134)

134 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 134 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

FINAL PASSAGE (#765)

Passed 103 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 30000
Republican 67001
Unaffiliated 6001
Total 103002
% of votes cast 98%0%0%2%
How each member voted (105)
Member Party Vote
Amedee — Yea
Galle — Yea
Stagni — Yea
Mr. Speaker — Not Voting
Johnson, T. — Yea
Landry, T. — Yea
St. Blanc — Yea
Adrian Fisher Democrat Yea
Aimee Adatto Freeman Democrat Yea
Alonzo L. Knox Democrat Yea
Barbara Carpenter Democrat Yea
C. Denise Marcelle Democrat Yea
Candace N. Newell Democrat Yea
Chasity Martinez Democrat Yea
Dana Henry Democrat Yea
Delisha Boyd Democrat Yea
Ed Murray Democrat Yea
Edmond Jordan Democrat Yea
Gerald Boudreaux Democrat Yea
III, Ed Larvadain Democrat Yea
Joy Walters Democrat Yea
Jr., Kyle M. Green Democrat Yea
Ken Brass Democrat Yea
Mandie Landry Democrat Yea
Marcus Anthony Bryant Democrat Yea
Pat Moore Democrat Yea
Rashid Armand Young Democrat Yea
Robby Carter Democrat Yea
Rodney Lyons Democrat Yea
Roy Daryl Adams Democrat Yea
Shaun Raphael Mena Democrat Yea
Sr., Wilford Carter Democrat Yea
Steven Jackson Democrat Yea
Sylvia Elaine Taylor Democrat Yea
Tammy T. Phelps Democrat Yea
Tehmi Jahi Chassion Democrat Yea
Vanessa Caston LaFleur Democrat Yea
Annie Spell Republican Yea
Barbara Reich Freiberg Republican Yea
Beth Anne Billings Republican Yea
Brett F. Geymann Republican Yea
Brian Leonard Glorioso Republican Yea
Bryan Fontenot Republican Yea
Chad Michael Boyer Republican Yea
Chance Keith Henry Republican Yea
Christopher Turner Republican Yea
Danny McCormick Republican Yea
Daryl Andrew Deshotel Republican Yea
Debbie Villio Republican Yea
Dixon Wallace McMakin Republican Yea
Dodie Horton Republican Yea
Emily Chenevert Republican Yea
Foy Bryan Gadberry Republican Yea
Francis C. Thompson Republican Yea
Gregory A. Miller Republican Yea
III, Roger William Wilder Republican Yea
III, Vincent E. Cox Republican Yea
IV, Gerald "Beau" Beaullieu Republican Yea
Jack McFarland Republican Yea
Jacob Braud Republican Yea
Jacob Jules Landry Republican Yea
Jason Brian DeWitt Republican Yea
Jeffrey "Jeff" Fons Wiley Republican Yea
Jeremy LaCombe Republican Yea
Jerome Zeringue Republican Yea
Jessica Domangue Republican Yea
John E. Wyble Republican Yea
Joseph A. Orgeron Republican Yea
Josh Carlson Republican Yea
Jr., Dennis Bamburg Republican Yea
Jr., John R. Illg Republican Yea
Jr., Michael Robert Bayham Republican Yea
Kathy Edmonston Republican Yea
Kellee Hennessy Dickerson Republican Yea
Kim Carver Republican Yea
Kimberly Landry Coates Republican Yea
Larry A. Bagley Republican Not Voting
Lauren Ventrella Republican Yea
Laurie Schlegel Republican Yea
Les Farnum Republican Yea
Mark Wright Republican Yea
Michael "Gabe" Firment Republican Yea
Michael Charles Echols Republican Yea
Michael Melerine Republican Yea
Mike Johnson Republican Yea
Neil Riser Republican Yea
Nicholas Muscarello Republican Yea
Paul Sawyer Republican Yea
Phillip Eric Tarver Republican Yea
Polly Thomas Republican Yea
R. Dewith Carrier Republican Yea
Raymond J. Crews Republican Yea
Reese "Skip" Broussard Republican Yea
Rhonda Gaye Butler Republican Yea
Robert "Bob" Owen Republican Yea
Rodney Schamerhorn Republican Yea
Ryan Bourriaque Republican Yea
Shane Mack Republican Yea
Sr., Peter F. Egan Republican Yea
Stephanie H. Berault Republican Yea
Stephanie Hilferty Republican Yea
Timothy P. Kerner Republican Yea
Tony Bacala Republican Yea
Troy Jude Hebert Republican Yea
Wayne McMahen Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

civil-rights education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 1008?
HB 1008 is sponsored by Joy Walters (Democrat), Rodney Schamerhorn (Republican), Danny McCormick (Republican), Steven Jackson (Democrat), Dodie Horton (Republican), Sr., Peter F. Egan (Republican), Kathy Edmonston (Republican), Jessica Domangue (Republican), Jacob Braud (Republican), Jr., Michael Robert Bayham (Republican), Beryl Amedée (Republican), Charles Owen (Republican), and Kellee Hennessy Dickerson (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 1008?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced March 25, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 1008?
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