Louisiana

Louisiana Legislature Pushes Bills to Curtail Public Records Law, Threatening Transparency and Vigilance

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Baton Rouge, Louisiana – The Louisiana Public Records Law, which plays a crucial role in maintaining transparency and accountability in government, is threatened by a wave of bills currently being considered in the state legislature. If these bills pass, they could undermine the public’s access to vital information. Without a strong public records law, there can be no vigilance from citizens, leaving room for potential misconduct and secrecy. One bill of particular concern is Senate Bill 482, introduced by Sen. Heather Cloud. This bill seeks to revive and expand upon former Gov. Bobby Jindal’s “deliberative … Read more

Louisiana Leads the Way in Effective Age Verification with Digital ID Program

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BATON ROUGE, Louisiana – Age verification laws on the internet are undergoing significant changes as more states seek to implement stricter measures. Since 2023, nine states in the U.S. have passed laws requiring websites with a significant amount of content deemed “harmful to minors” to incorporate third-party age verification systems. While these laws primarily target pornography websites, some states are now extending the regulations to social media platforms. However, the effectiveness of these laws has been limited. In most states, companies have opted for geoblocking or restricting access to their websites instead of implementing age … Read more

Louisiana Lawmakers Propose Bill to Establish 25-Foot Rule Governing Interactions with Police Officers

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LAKE CHARLES, La. – State lawmakers in Louisiana are proposing a new law that would impose a minimum distance of 25 feet between individuals and police officers. The legislation, known as House Bill 173, aims to make it a crime for anyone to approach a law enforcement officer closer than the prescribed distance after being ordered to stop. Offenders could face fines up to $500, imprisonment for up to 60 days, or both. This bill is not a new initiative, as it was previously considered by the legislature in 2023 but was ultimately vetoed by … Read more

Louisiana Governor Calls for Impeachment of Federal Judge in Controversial NOPD Consent Decree Dispute

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New Orleans, Louisiana – Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has called for an investigation into the impeachment of a federal judge overseeing the New Orleans Police Department’s (NOPD) consent decree. In a series of social media posts on Monday, Landry accused U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan of mishandling the decree, which has been governing police operations in the city since 2012. This comes after Judge Morgan expressed concerns about the Louisiana State Police’s deployment to assist in policing New Orleans. During a recent hearing on police compliance with the consent decree, Judge Morgan criticized the rollout … Read more