§ 29:402 — Purpose

§402. Purpose
A. In order to provide for, strengthen, and expedite the national security under
emergent conditions which threaten the peace and security of the United States and to enable
those citizens of this state who perform service in the uniformed services to more
successfully devote their entire energy to the security needs of the nation and state, provision
is hereby made to provide reemployment rights and other benefits for persons who perform
service in the uniformed services of the United States and the state of Louisiana. It is herein
declared to be the policy of the state of Louisiana that its citizens who serve their country and
state and who leave their employment, homes, and education shall not be penalized nor
economically disadvantaged because of their uniformed service.
B. The provisions of this Part shall be liberally construed for the benefit of those
called to serve the state of Louisiana and their country in the armed forces. The purpose of
this Part is to prevent veterans and servicemembers from being disadvantaged and to prohibit
discrimination against persons because of their uniformed service when they return to
civilian life. It is the sense of the legislature that the state of Louisiana should be a model
employer in carrying out the provisions of this Part.
C. The provisions of this Part are intended to be supplemental to any rights that
persons called to military service have under any applicable federal statutes, particularly, the
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 50 U.S.C. 3901 et seq., and the Uniformed Services
Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, 38 U.S.C. 4301 et seq., and under any other
applicable laws of this state.
D. Nothing in this Part shall supersede, nullify, or diminish any federal or state law
(including any local law or ordinance), contract, agreement, policy, plan, practice, or other
matter that establishes a right or benefit that is more beneficial to, or is in addition to a right
or benefit provided for such person in this Part.
E. This Part supersedes any local law or ordinance, contract, agreement, policy, plan,
practice, or other matter that reduces, limits, or eliminates in any manner any right or benefit
provided by this Part, including the establishment of additional prerequisites to the exercises
of any such right or the receipt of any such benefit.

Legislative History

Acts 1991, 1st E.S., No. 6, §1, eff. April 17, 1991; Acts 1995, No. 716, §1, eff. June 21, 1995; Acts 2018, No. 647, §1; Acts 2025, No. 242, §1.