Legislation protecting teachers, adjusting rules for retired teachers advances

Published: April 1, 2026

By: Sheridan White and Dakota Lazlo, LSU Manship School News Service

BATON ROUGE – A House bill aimed at protecting teachers from student attacks is gaining traction after advancing through a committee without opposition.

Meanwhile, separate legislation simplifies rules governing how retired teachers can return to work under the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana.

House Bill 283, introduced by Rep. Candace Newell, D-New Orleans, would require schools to remove students who assault teachers, school employees or other students and place them in an alternative school setting.

The proposal, also known as the “Teacher Shield Act,” is based on what Newell described as a “deep passion” for teachers and classroom safety. A former schoolteacher herself, Newell said she understands firsthand the challenges educators face and the importance of maintaining a secure learning environment.

Read more at KTBS.