Senate panel defers bill extending civil‑liability protections to trained private security guards after sharp questioning

House Bill 71 — which would add properly trained and licensed armed private‑security officers to the statute that limits civil liability for justified uses of force — was deferred by the Senate Judiciary A Committee after in‑depth questioning.

Representative Carlson, the bill’s sponsor, argued the measure would align protections with those already given to the public after an 8‑hour concealed‑carry course and that licensed security officers undergo substantially more training (including an updated curriculum with firearms training and mandatory recertification). Carl Cezanne, executive secretary of the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners, testified the board is increasing training standards and auditing companies to align with POST‑like standards for de‑escalation and firearms.

Opponents, including Luke Williamson of LAJ, warned the bill could grant broad immunity in routine encounters such as shoplifting or trespass, and noted current training levels (24 hours for armed security versus roughly 640 hours for POST certification for state law‑enforcement officers) create a significant proficiency gap. Several senators described scenarios where a civil jury could find a use of force unjustified even if law enforcement or a district attorney deemed it justified; they expressed concern about expanding liability protection without stricter safeguards. After debate, a motion to defer the bill carried on a roll call (3 yeas, 2 nays).