Cellphone bans, bathroom restrictions and vaccine regulations get school year updates in Louisiana
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
/2024/08/09/1723220350396.gif?w=3840)
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
As students return to school in New Orleans this month, they'll face a number of changes thanks to recently enacted state laws.
Why it matters: Among them are previously vetoed restrictions on teachers discussing gender identity, regulations around using a student's preferred pronouns and a ban on cellphones in schools.
The latest: So far, the biggest headlines have been dedicated to the state's new requirement that the Ten Commandments be posted in schools receiving public funding, including colleges.
- But that law doesn't require schools to comply until January.
- And it's facing a legal challenge, despite clear support from Gov. Jeff Landry.
The big picture: Some of the other new legislation codifies versions of bills former Gov. John Bel Edwards previously vetoed, including anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and vaccine regulations, others aimed to tighten student behavior.
- As the school year begins, state superintendent Cade Brumley has asked teachers to "recommit to assertive discipline action," citing support from new legislation.
Here's a look at other new regulations passed during Louisiana's legislative session and signed by Landry that will impact schools this year.
"Don't Say Gay:" Act 681 bans K-12 school employees and "other presenters" from discussing gender or sexual orientation.
Pronoun punishments: Act 680 prevents school employees from being punished for refusing to use a student's preferred name or pronouns.
Bathrooms: Act 436 bans people from using bathrooms that don't match their sex assigned at birth when in public schools, domestic violence shelters and correctional facilities.
Phones in schools: Act 313 requires that K-12 public school students have cell phones turned off and stowed away during the instructional day while on school property or school buses.
"Disruptive students:" Act 400 regulates how teachers can manage a disruptive student, requiring a parent-teacher conference after a student is removed three times for the behavior.
Expulsion for grades 6-12: Act 337 makes expulsion mandatory for students in grades 6-12 who are found with certain knives or illegal drugs, as well as other expulsion recommendations.
Vaccine regulations: Act 674 says no student can be required to have a COVID-19 vaccine, and Act 675 requires that schools include exemption information when communicating with families about vaccines.