All Roll Calls
Yes: 315 • No: 35
LouisianaHB 3712025 Regular SessionHouse
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS: Provides relative to the free exercise of religion
Sponsored By: Beryl Amedée (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Judiciary ACivil Law and Procedure
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Church buildings gain protections for family programs
Worship buildings must meet zoning, building-code, and fire-safety requirements and have an occupancy license to receive these protections. Government cannot restrict their use based on meeting days or the content or type of religious instruction or activities. Protected uses include Mother's Day Out religious enrichment programs, Vacation Bible School, and Bible Camp; the law also classifies those Bible programs as camps. Protection also covers meetings of two or more parents or children in home-study programs or nonpublic schools not seeking state approval, for academic improvement, socializing, recreation, or sports. Mother's Day Out programs remain subject to the cited state program requirements, and applicable criminal laws remain enforceable.
Stronger protections for religious practice and worship
Louisiana treats religious exercise as a fundamental right, including worship and actions or refusals based on sincerely held religious beliefs. Government agencies can substantially burden that right only to serve a compelling interest through narrowly tailored, least restrictive means. A compelling interest is one of the highest importance that cannot be achieved without burdening religious exercise. Protecting a child's best interests, health, safety, and welfare counts as a compelling interest. Churches and other worship places cannot face harsher restrictions than the least severe rules applied to any nonreligious business, service, or gathering.
Religious freedom claims gain remedies and limits
People facing past, current, or likely unlawful burdens on religious exercise can raise a claim or defense in court or administrative proceedings. Available remedies include orders stopping violations, protective orders, orders requiring or blocking government action, and declarations of legal rights. People can seek actual damages, reasonable lawyer fees, court costs, and court-approved expert fees, but not punitive damages. An agency generally has 30 days after notice to fix the burden; a cure bars a lawsuit or requires dismissal. After required notice and a preliminary court order stopping the burden, damages and costs remain available even if government voluntarily stops or tries to remove it.
Religious freedom claims face filing deadlines
Damages claims generally must be filed within one year after the person knew or should have known about the substantial burden. Other one-year deadlines run from dismissal of a related action by a court or administrative judge, or a favorable merits finding that authorizes a claim. Mailing the required notice pauses the one-year deadline until the 75th day after mailing. Louisiana's Governmental Claims Act also governs actions where applicable, except where the religious freedom law provides otherwise.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Beryl Amedée
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Brian Leonard Glorioso
Republican • House
Charles Owen
Republican • House
Danny McCormick
Republican • House
Dodie Horton
Republican • House
Emily Chenevert
Republican • House
Michael "Gabe" Firment
Republican • House
Kathy Edmonston
Republican • House
Kim Carver
Republican • House
Michael Robert Bayham Jr.
Republican • House
Pat Moore
Democratic • House
Peter F. Egan Sr.
Republican • House
Phillip DeVillier
Republican • House
Phillip Eric Tarver
Republican • House
R. Dewith Carrier
Republican • House
Raymond J. Crews
Republican • House
Rodney Schamerhorn
Republican • House
Shane Mack
Republican • House
Stephanie H. Berault
Republican • House
Vincent E. Cox III
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 6/12/2025
Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 30 yeas and 5 nays.
Yes: 30 • No: 5
House vote • 6/11/2025
Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 64, nays 16. The Conference Committee Report was adopted.
Yes: 64 • No: 16
House vote • 6/9/2025
Read by title, roll called, yeas 97, nays 0, Senate amendments rejected, conference committee appointment pending.
Yes: 97 • No: 0
Senate vote • 6/8/2025
Rules suspended. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 33 yeas and 5 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
Yes: 33 • No: 5
House vote • 5/14/2025
Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 79, nays 9. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
Yes: 79 • No: 9
House vote • 5/6/2025
Reported with amendments
Yes: 12 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 358.
6/20/2025HouseEffective date: 06/20/2025.
6/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor for executive approval.
6/16/2025HouseConference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 30 yeas and 5 nays.
6/12/2025SenateNotice of Senate adoption of Conference Committee Report.
6/12/2025HouseEnrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
6/12/2025HouseSigned by the President of the Senate.
6/12/2025SenateNotice of Senate conferees appointed.
6/11/2025HouseConference Committee report received. Lies over under the rules.
6/11/2025HouseConference committee report received.
6/11/2025SenateRules suspended.
6/11/2025HouseConference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 64, nays 16. The Conference Committee Report was adopted.
6/11/2025HouseNotice House adopted the Conference Committee Report.
6/11/2025SenateHouse conferees appointed: Amedee, Muscarello, and Crews.
6/10/2025HouseNotice House Conference Committee members appointed.
6/10/2025SenateSenate conference committee members appointed: Edmonds, Hodges, and Mizell.
6/10/2025SenateRead by title, roll called, yeas 97, nays 0, Senate amendments rejected, conference committee appointment pending.
6/9/2025HouseNotice House rejected the Senate amendments.
6/9/2025SenateRules suspended. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 33 yeas and 5 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
6/8/2025SenateReceived from the Senate with amendments.
6/8/2025HouseScheduled for concurrence on 06/09/2025.
6/8/2025HouseReported with amendments. Rules suspended. Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
6/4/2025SenateReported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.
6/4/2025SenateRules suspended. Recalled from Committee.
6/2/2025SenateRead by title. Recommitted to the Committee on Education.
6/2/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
Introduced
Reengrossed
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