Louisiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana HB294: TRESPASS: Provides places of worship the right to remove disruptive individuals
Status: Signed into law, May 15, 2026
What the bill says
An act To amend and reenact R.S. 14:19(A)(1)(b)(i) and (2) and (B)(introductory paragraph) and (1) and to enact R.S. 13:5233.2, relative to the exercise of religion; to limit liability of persons protecting the right of religion; to provide for definitions; and to provide for related matters.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT To amend and reenact R.S. 14:19(A)(1)(b)(i) and (2) and (B)(introductory paragraph) and (1) and to enact R.S. 13:5233.2, relative to the exercise of religion; to limit liability of persons protecting the right of religion; to provide for definitions; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: Section 1. R.S. 13:5233.2 is hereby enacted to read as follows: §5233.2. Protection of freedom of worship; limitation of liability A. The Legislature of Louisiana finds that houses of worship are private property dedicated to the free exercise of religion, that religious assemblies are protected by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Louisiana, and that the right to exclude disruptive and potentially violent individuals may be necessary to facilitate the free exercise of religion. The Legislature of Louisiana further finds that clarification of existing statutory authority is in the furtherance of justice and the free exercise of religion. B. Any religious leader, authorized security team member, or person lawfully present and permitted on the premises of a house of worship may request that a person leave the premises if the person is committing criminal trespass pursuant to R.S. 14:63 or is engaged in a substantial disruption. Such request shall constitute notice for purposes of criminal trespass law. Page 1 of CODING: Words …
Sponsors
- Firment, Michael (R, 22) · primary sponsor
- Amedée, Beryl (R, 51)
- Bacala, Tony (R, 59)
- Bayham Jr., Michael (R, 103)
- Berault, Stephanie (R, 76)
- Billings, Beth (R, 56)
- Carlson, Josh (R, 43)
- Carrier, Dewith (R, 32)
- Carver, Kim (R, 89)
- Chenevert, Emily (R, 66)
- Coates, Kimberly (R, 73)
- Cox III, Vincent (R, 85)
Latest actions
- : Effective date: 08/01/2026.
- : Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 148.
- : Sent to the Governor for executive approval.
- : Signed by the President of the Senate.
- : Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
- : Read by title, roll called, yeas 71, nays 29, Senate amendments concurred in.
- : Scheduled for concurrence on 05/11/2026.
- : Received from the Senate with amendments.
- : Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 26 yeas and 9 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
- : Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.
Votes
- House Vote on HB 294, CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS (#1082) (May 11, 2026): 71 yea, 29 nay, passed
- Senate Vote on HB 294, FINAL PASSAGE (#602) (May 5, 2026): 26 yea, 9 nay, passed
- House Vote on HB 294, MODIFY TIME LIMITS (#391) (April 9, 2026): 27 yea, 57 nay, failed
- House Vote on HB 294, FINAL PASSAGE (#392) (April 9, 2026): 75 yea, 25 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB294?
- HB294 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): TRESPASS: Provides places of worship the right to remove disruptive individuals.
- What does HB294 do?
- In its own words: An act To amend and reenact R.S. 14:19(A)(1)(b)(i) and (2) and (B)(introductory paragraph) and (1) and to enact R.S. 13:5233.2, relative to the exercise of religion; to limit liability of persons protecting the right of religion; to provide for definitions; and to provide for related matters.
- What is the status of HB294?
- Signed into law as of May 15, 2026. Latest action: Effective date: 08/01/2026. (May 15, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB294?
- Firment, Michael (R, 22), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB294?
- On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=HB294
Source: official Louisiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.