New Laws That Go Into Effect in Louisiana on August 1

SHREVEPORT, LA - Several new laws go into effect in Louisiana on August 1.

Here are some of the new laws getting the most attention.

1. Every public school classroom in the state now has to display a sign that says “In God We Trust”. This includes college classrooms.

2. Public schools in Louisiana can now offer an elective course teaching the Bible.

3. More funding for mental health services is now going into effect.

4. Pregnancy related medical expenses can now be recovered from the biological father of a child.

5. Sick leave expansion for school bus drivers, teachers and other school workers if they have exhausted sick leave.

6. Teachers and other school staffers are given immunity and cannot be held liable for failing to act to break up a fight. If the educator acts maliciously, they can be held accountable.

7. New law provides for stiffer penalties for the manufacture, sale of distribution of fentanyl in the state of Louisiana.

8. Each public elementary school in Louisiana must now have at least 15 minutes of recess each school day.

9. Licenses of nursing homes can be rejected by the state Department of Health if that facility does not have an emergency preparedness plan.

10. Disabled veterans can apply for tuition waivers to public Universities in Louisiana.

11. The Department of Public Safety will now be required to accept credit cards and debit cards when conducting business at the OMV.

12. Corporal punishment laws in effect for public schools is now in effect for private schools that take government funding.

13. Students in grades K-12 who qualify for reduced price meals shall be provided breakfast and lunch at no cost.

Another new law requiring 3rd graders to be able to read before being promoted to the 4th grade has been passed, but it will not be fully implemented until the 2024-2025 school year.