House Bill No. by Representative Boyd aims to expand the protections against employment discrimination in Louisiana by explicitly including "gender identity" and "sexual orientation" as protected categories. The bill amends existing laws to define these terms and prohibits intentional discrimination in employment practices based on these identities, alongside race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and natural, protective, or cultural hairstyles. The new definitions clarify that "gender identity" encompasses an individual's gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior, regardless of their physiology or designated sex at birth, while "sexual orientation" refers to an individual's actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality.

Additionally, the bill maintains certain exemptions for religious organizations, allowing them to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity when hiring for roles connected to religious activities. It also emphasizes that the provisions of the bill should not infringe upon the freedom of expression, association, or the free exercise of religion as protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and the Louisiana Constitution. Overall, this legislation seeks to enhance workplace equality by explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity while balancing the rights of religious entities.

Statutes affected:
HB40 Original: 23:302, 23:332(A)(1)