HB 71 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

LIABILITY/CIVIL: Adds armed security officers as authorized persons subject to a limitation of liability under certain circumstances

HB 71 expands liability protection in Louisiana law to include qualified armed security officers. The bill defines "armed security officer" as someone meeting specific training requirements (per R.S. 37:3284(B)(2)) and holding an armed registration card issued by the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners (R.S. 37:3272(A)(2)). This change directly affects licensed security professionals who carry firearms while performing their duties. The law modifies existing liability protections (R.S. 9:2793.12(A)(3)) to explicitly cover these officers under certain circumstances.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced Feb 3, 2026 Signed Jun 2, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB71 Original → HB71 Act 613 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands the legal protection for armed security officers in Louisiana by explicitly including them as 'authorized persons' eligible to carry concealed handguns under specific liability protections. Previously, only certain categories of people were granted these rights; now, armed security officers who meet training and registration requirements are added to this list. The change ensures that if an armed security officer uses a firearm in self-defense against someone wielding a dangerous weapon, they cannot be sued for damages.

Scope change

The bill broadens the scope of the law to include armed security officers alongside other authorized individuals, whereas previously they were not explicitly covered under this specific liability exemption.

ELIGIBILITY

Armed security officers are now explicitly listed as 'authorized persons' eligible to carry concealed handguns.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'authorized person' was updated to include armed security officers who have completed required training and hold a valid registration card.

REQUIREMENT

Eligibility for armed security officers requires completion of training under R.S. 37:3284(B)(2) and issuance of an armed registration card by the State Board of Private Security Examiners.

ENFORCEMENT

Armed security officers are granted immunity from civil liability for injuries or deaths caused by justified use of force or self-defense when the attacker is wielding a dangerous weapon.

Floor votes · Senate May 26, 2026 · House Apr 20, 2026

How they voted

27–11

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 40

May 26, 2026

D Democratic12

1 Yea 10 Nay 1

83% Nay

R Republican28

26 Yea 1 Nay 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read by title, roll called, yeas 73, nays 24, Senate amendments concurred in.

lower

May 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Rules suspended. The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 27 yeas and 10 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

May 20, 2026

Committee

Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

May 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments.

upper

Apr 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 70, nays 28. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (7-1).

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors