Paul Braun and Devon Sanders
A Senate judiciary committee on Tuesday approved a bill that would eliminate the death penalty in Louisiana effective Aug. 1.
Sen. J.P. Morrell, D-New Orleans, authored the bill, reasoning that the death penalty is an outdated and costly means of punishment.
Read the story in The Daily Advertiser.
By Tryfon Boukouvidis and Ashley Wolf
The Senate on Monday passed two bills that would create new TOPS awards, giving students a second chance to receive the popular scholarships. The bills are consistent with recommendations by the TOPS Task Force.
Read the story in The Advocate.
By Drew White
In the latest effort to fortify schools, Louisiana children may be able to start wearing bulletproof backpacks.
The Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill Monday that would let students wear body armor on school grounds or buses. The bill, which passed 34-2, now heads to the House.
Read the story in FOX 8 News/fox8live.com.
By Tryfon Boukouvidis
The Senate Finance Committee approved a bill Monday that would ensure that the state funds full-time students who are in foster care until they complete high school or turn 21.
Currently, Louisiana supports foster children until they reach 18 without taking into consideration whether they have completed high school by that age.
Read the story in KALB-TV/kalb.com.
By Kaylee Poche
The latest report in the 2018 Louisiana Survey conducted by LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab found that a majority of Louisiana residents believe that both gender discrimination and sexual harassment are major issues and that the country should continue making changes to give men and women equality in the workplace.
Read the story in The Shreveport Times.
By Joby Richard
A divided House committee on Thursday approved three bills that would tighten eligibility for the popular TOPS scholarships and require some recipients to first attend two-year colleges.
Read the story in The Daily Advertiser.
By Kaylee Poche
A bill that would expand the medical conditions for which doctors could prescribe medical marijuana was passed by a House committee Thursday in an 8-4 vote.
The bill, proposed by Rep. Ted James, D-Baton Rouge, would also allow inhalation of medical marijuana.
Read the story in Fox 8/fox8live.com.
By Devon Sanders
The Senate Education Committee on Thursday refused to approve a bill that would have forced Louisiana Superintendent of Education John White out of office.
Read the story in KALB/kalb.com.
By Joby Richard
A bill unanimously cleared the House Education Committee on Wednesday that would allow public and charter schools to provide up to 30 days of leave for female employees who adopt children.
Read the story in KALB/kalb.com.
By Drew White
Anti-sexual harassment policies and mandatory training for all state public servants are one step closer to becoming a reality.
The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee approved anti-sexual harassment bills Wednesday sponsored by three female legislators — Rep. Barbara Carpenter and Sen. Regina Barrow, both Democrats from Baton Rouge; and Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell.
Read the story in The Town Talk.
LSU Manship School Statehouse Bureau 