§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. 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 their country in the armed forces. The purpose of this Part is to prevent veterans 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.

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.