House Bill No. by Representative Newell amends the existing law regarding the crime of battery of a school teacher, specifically under R.S. 14:34.3. The bill expands the definition of battery to include instances where the act is committed due to the victim's status as a school teacher. It also revises the penalties for students committing such acts, reducing the maximum fine from $5,000 to $1,000 and the maximum imprisonment from one year to six months if no medical attention is required. If the battery does result in an injury requiring medical attention, the penalties remain a maximum fine of $5,000 or imprisonment for 30 days to one year. Additionally, if the offender is a student under the age of 17, the case will be handled according to the provisions of the Children's Code.

The bill further stipulates that for non-student offenders, the penalties will apply regardless of whether the battery produces an injury requiring medical attention, with fines and imprisonment terms remaining the same as previously established. It also adds battery of a school teacher to the list of offenses that require juvenile offenders aged 14 and older to be committed to the custody of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections or a secure institution without the possibility of probation. Furthermore, the court is mandated to require participation in a court-approved counseling program for juvenile offenders adjudicated for battery of a school teacher, with associated costs to be borne by the child or their guardians.

Statutes affected:
HB133 Original: 14:3(A)