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Bill

HB 294

TRESPASS: Provides places of worship the right to remove disruptive individuals

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Beryl Amedée and 35 co-sponsors

Louisiana bill grants religious institutions explicit authority to remove disruptive individuals from their premises without legal ambiguity.

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 294

Legislative bill overview

HB 294 grants Louisiana places of worship explicit legal authority to remove individuals who are being disruptive, creating a potential affirmative defense or clarification in trespass law. The bill streamlines the process for religious institutions to address disturbances without lengthy legal proceedings.

Why is this important

Religious institutions handle disruptions regularly—from security threats to unwanted behavior—but may face legal ambiguity about their authority to enforce removal. This bill provides clearer legal standing, which could improve safety protocols and reduce liability concerns for places of worship managing their facilities.

Potential points of contention

  • First Amendment concerns: Critics may argue the bill could be weaponized to remove individuals exercising free speech or protest rights, particularly if "disruptive" lacks precise definition
  • Vague standards: The term "disruptive" is subjective and could lead to inconsistent enforcement across different religious communities or discriminatory removal of protected groups
  • Due process questions: The bill may lack safeguards ensuring individuals receive fair notice or opportunity to cease disruptive behavior before removal
  • Property rights vs. access rights: Tension exists between a venue's property rights and potential arguments about public accommodation or equal access principles

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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