LA HB1008

Prohibits Louisiana public postsecondary institutions from retaliating against faculty members for reporting alleged violations of law, policy, or ethics, or for exercising academic freedom and free speech on or off campus

Defines retaliation broadly to include discharge, demotion, suspension, denial of promotion or tenure, pay reduction, harassment, threats, negative evaluations, and reassignment

Imposes civil penalties of $10,000 to $100,000 per violation, with potential criminal referral for malfeasance in office

Allows aggrieved faculty to sue within two years for compensatory damages (treble for willful violations), punitive damages up to $500,000, reinstatement, back pay, and attorney fees, with no sovereign immunity defense for institutions

Requires the Board of Regents to adopt uniform reporting and investigation procedures, and each institution must submit annual complaint reports to the legislature by March 1st; provisions apply retroactively to January 1, 2025