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Rep. Cruz’s bill to bar punishment over pronoun use advances after narrow vote
Summary
A committee advanced HB 11‑37, introduced by Rep. Cruz, which would prohibit state and local public employers from disciplining employees solely for pronoun misuse; an amendment narrowed the bill to public employers and the panel reported it as amended on a 4–2 roll call amid opposition from civil‑liberties and trans advocates.
Representative Cruz presented House Bill 11‑37 to the committee, saying the measure would amend Revised Statute 23:333 to prohibit public employers from disciplining, terminating or retaliating against employees 'based solely on the misuse of pronouns.' He framed the bill as protecting free‑speech and religious liberty and argued it targets cases of compelled speech rather than ordinary workplace correction.
The sponsor offered Amendment Set 2,933 to limit the bill’s scope to 'any branch of state government, any state board, commission or other agency or any local subdivision of the state.' The committee adopted the amendment without objection.
In debate, Senator Selders asked how the bill would be proved in practice and whether the measure would require checking birth certificates; Representative Cruz said the bill’s definition section points to documentary evidence such as the original birth certificate and that the intent is to address cases where an employer compels an employee to adopt a pronoun rather than routine exchanges.
Three public comments were filed in opposition; two speakers addressed the committee. Mary Ann Muschatt said HB 11‑37 'could, and to many, makes bullying in the workplace among adults legal' and urged senators to vote no. Peyton Michelle, representing Louisiana Trans Advocates, said trans people already face employment discrimination and said the bill 'is otherwise just a bill in search of a problem.' Sarah Whittington of the ACLU of Louisiana testified that because Louisiana is an at‑will employment state, terminated employees could raise retaliation claims under the bill and noted that legal names and birth certificates can change, creating enforcement confusion.
After closing remarks from the sponsor, the chair moved that the committee report HB 11‑37 as amended. Senator Selders objected and the clerk called the roll. The transcript records votes as Presley — yes; Barrow — no; Myers — yes; Stein — yes; Talbot — yes; Selders — no. The committee recorded 4 yeas and 2 nays and reported the bill as amended.
The committee’s action was limited to reporting the measure as amended; the transcript does not record final passage by the full chamber or further floor action.
