BATON ROUGE – A House bill aimed at protecting teachers from student attacks is gaining traction after advancing through a committee without opposition. 

House Bill 283, introduced by Rep. Candace Newell, D-New Orleans, would require schools to remove students who assault teachers, school employees or other students and place them in an alternative school setting.

The proposal, also known as the “Teacher Shield Act,” is based on what Newell described as a “deep passion” for teachers and classroom safety. A former schoolteacher herself, Newell said she understands firsthand the challenges educators face and the importance of maintaining a secure learning environment.

“Seeing the fact that some teachers go into classrooms, and it’s not a comfortable setting for them, gave me great concern,” Newell said.

Under the bill, students accused of assault would be entitled to an expulsion hearing, ensuring due process while prioritizing the immediate safety of others. Newell also acknowledged concerns from rural districts with limited school options, saying she is willing to work with smaller school boards to find practical solutions.

The legislation was shaped in part by testimony from witnesses such as Nikita Clark, a former teacher who said she was forced to retire after being injured by a student. Clark suffered a torn rotator cuff when a student forcefully pushed into her classroom door as she was closing it.

“I’d never been afraid of students until this incident happened to me,” Clark said.

Despite stories like Clark’s, some teachers were hesitant to publicly testify before the House Education Committee. Lawmakers noted that fear of retaliation from school boards kept several educators from speaking out.

Support for the bill from the legislators was strong. Rep. Charles Owen, R-Rosepine, emphasized that teachers deserve protection and support from the state. 

“If these school districts want to come after these teachers, they can come and see us,” Owen said.

The bill has also drawn criticism. Darrinisha Gray, an attorney representing St. Charles Parish schools, raised concerns about its potential impact on students with special needs. She said they are disproportionately involved in incidents of classroom violence.

“This bill, as currently written, creates significant operational and legal hurdles that ultimately harm the stability of our school system,” Gray said.