Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:409.3 – Mandatory reporting
Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:409.3
- person: includes a body of persons, whether incorporated or not. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 1:10
- Risk is imminent: means that the available facts, when viewed in light of surrounding circumstances, would cause a reasonable person to believe that the event stated in the threat is about to happen. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:409.2
- Threat of terrorism: means communication, whether oral, visual, or written, including but not limited to electronic mail, letters, notes, social media posts, text messages, blogs, or posts on any social networking website, of any crime of violence that would reasonably cause any student, teacher, principal, or school employee to be in sustained fear for his safety, cause the evacuation of a building, or cause other serious disruption to the operation of a school. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:409.2
- Threat of violence: means communication, whether oral, visual, or written, including but not limited to electronic mail, letters, notes, social media posts, text messages, blogs, or posts on any social networking website, of any intent to kill, maim, or cause great bodily harm to a student, teacher, principal, or school employee on school property or at any school function. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:409.2
A. Any administrator, teacher, counselor, bus operator, or other school employee, whether full-time or part-time, who learns of a threat of violence or threat of terrorism, whether through oral communication, written communication, or electronic communication, shall immediately report the threat to a local law enforcement agency and, if the employee is not the school administrator, to the school administrator.
B.(1) Upon being informed of the threat, the school administrator shall make reasonable efforts to attempt to inform all persons who are targets of the threat and shall take all necessary measures to protect their lives and safety.
(2) The school administrator next shall make reasonable efforts to attempt to notify the appropriate personnel within the school district administration.
(3) The school administrator and the school district administrator then shall determine if risk is imminent for any other persons because of the threat, and if so, notify them and make reasonable efforts to attempt to take measures to protect their lives and safety.
(4) The school administrator and the school district administrator then shall determine whether to notify parents of the students at the school.
C. No person shall have a cause of action against any person for any action taken or statement made in adherence with the requirement for reporting as provided in this Subpart. However, the immunity from liability provided in this Subsection shall not apply to any action or statement if the action or statement was maliciously, willfully, and deliberately intended to cause harm to, harass, or otherwise deceive law enforcement or school officials. Acts 2018, No. 716, §1; Acts 2019, No. 209, §1; Acts 2023, No. 164, §1.