§40.6. Unlawful disruption of the operation of a school; penalties

            A. Unlawful disruption of the operation of a school is the commission of any of the following acts by a person, who is not authorized to be on school premises, which would foreseeably cause any of the following:

            (1) Intimidation or harassment of any student or teacher by threat of force or force.

            (2) Placing teachers or students in sustained fear for their health, safety, or welfare.

            (3) Disrupting, obstructing, or interfering with the operation of the school.

            B. For the purposes of this Section:

            (1) "Authorized to be present on school premises" means all of the following:

            (a) Any student enrolled at the school.

            (b) Any teacher employed at the school.

            (c) Any person attending a school sponsored function.

            (d) Any other person who has authorization to be present on the school premises from the principal of the school in the case of a public school, or the principal or headmaster in the case of a nonpublic school.

            (2) "School" means any public or nonpublic elementary, secondary, high school, vocational-technical school, college, special, or postsecondary school or institution, or university in this state.

            (3) "School premises" means any property used for school purposes, including but not limited to school buildings, playgrounds, and parking lots.

            (4) "School-sponsored function" means the specific designated area of the function, including but not limited to athletic competitions, dances, parties, or any extracurricular activity.

            (5) "Student" means any person registered or enrolled at a school as defined in this Section.

            (6) "Teacher" shall include any teacher or instructor, administrator, staff person, teacher aide, paraprofessional, school bus driver, food service worker, and other clerical, custodial, or maintenance personnel employed by any public or nonpublic elementary, secondary, high school, vocational-technical school, college, special, or postsecondary school or institution, or university in this state.

            C.(1) Whoever commits the offense of unlawful disruption of the operation of a school shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

            (2) For a second or subsequent offense, the offender shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned with or without hard labor for not less than one year nor more than five years, or both.

            (3) In addition to any other penalty provided in this Section, whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be required to participate in conflict resolution classes as provided in R.S. 17:416.15.

            D. Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent lawful assembly and orderly petition for the redress of grievances, including any labor dispute between any school or institution of higher learning and its employees, or contractor or subcontractor or any employees thereof. Nothing herein shall apply to a bona fide labor organization or its legal activities such as picketing, assembly, or concerted activities in the interest of its members for the purpose of securing better wages, hours, or working conditions.

            Acts 2009, No. 302, §1; Acts 2024, No. 476, §1.