Adds veterinarians and veterinary clinics to the definitions of "healthcare professional" and "healthcare facility" for purposes of certain assault and battery offenses. (8/1/25) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
Summary
SB 21 amends Louisiana law governing battery of emergency room personnel, emergency services personnel, and healthcare professionals, as well as unlawful disruption of a healthcare facility. The bill expands the statutory definitions used in those offenses to expressly include veterinarians and veterinary staff within “healthcare professional,” and veterinary clinics within “healthcare facility.”
As a result, conduct that already triggers criminal penalties or enforcement under those provisions when directed at covered medical personnel or facilities will also apply to veterinary practices and the people who work in them. The bill does not create a new offense; rather, it broadens the reach of existing assault, battery, and disruption protections to cover animal-care settings and licensed veterinary workers.
Impact
The bill amends R.S. 14:34.8 and R.S. 40.9, expanding the scope of protected persons and facilities under Louisiana’s battery and facility-disruption statutes. Veterinarians, veterinary staff, and veterinary clinics are now treated similarly to other healthcare professionals and healthcare facilities for purposes of these criminal provisions, which may increase prosecutorial coverage and deterrence for violence or interference at animal-care locations.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill was broadly supported and not controversial in the legislature. It passed the Senate unanimously, 36-0, and the House overwhelmingly, 94-1. No committee transcripts were provided, but the near-unanimous votes indicate general agreement with extending existing protections to veterinary personnel and clinics.
Contention
The main policy issue is the expansion of criminal-law protections beyond human healthcare settings to veterinary practices. Support appears to have centered on recognizing veterinarians and clinic staff as vulnerable service providers who may face threats, assaults, or disruptions similar to those in medical facilities. Any opposition likely would have focused on whether veterinary clinics should be grouped with healthcare facilities for these criminal statutes, but the recorded votes show little sustained resistance.