House passes bill requiring U.S. citizenship for peace officers after debate on scope and impacts

The Louisiana House on April 14 voted 64–24 to pass House Bill 39, which adds a U.S. citizenship requirement to the statutory post-certification standard for peace officers.

Rep. Ray Furman (sponsor) said the change aligns state law with the policies already used by many large departments and would ensure that those who exercise arrest and search powers are American citizens. "If you're going to exercise this extreme authority over U.S. citizens, you need to be an American citizen by birth or by naturalization," Furman said on the floor.

Opponents raised practical and legal concerns. Rep. John Green questioned whether the bill would bar lawful permanent residents who serve as military police (MPs) in the Louisiana National Guard from moving into civilian law enforcement roles. Green observed that MPs may be permanent residents and noted the law uses the definitions in Revised Statute 40:2402. Furman replied that the bill does not change the definition of peace officer for the Guard and said current practice already treats military police differently, but defended a uniform state standard for civilian post certification.

Other speakers pressed whether the measure would affect immunity or create recruitment shortfalls in understaffed departments. Furman said the bill contains grandfathering provisions for current lawful permanent residents already serving and that the change was recommended to reduce perceived risks around use-of-force authority.

The House adopted the bill on a roll call. The bill will now proceed to the Senate. The text references post-certification procedures under existing statutory definitions; members asked staff to check interplay with other statutes and with municipal hiring practices before it moves forward.

Vote tally: 64 ayes, 24 nays.