La. Stat. Ann. § R.S. 51:2238
Powers of local commissions
Operative Text
§2238. Powers of local commissions A local commission may: (1) Receive, initiate, investigate, hear, and determine charges of violations of ordinances, orders, or resolutions forbidding discrimination adopted by the parish or municipality. (2) Compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence before it by subpoena issued by the district court of the parish wherein the local commission is authorized to act. (3) Issue remedial orders, after notice and hearing, requiring cessation of violations. (4) Issue such affirmative orders as in the judgment of the local commission will carry out the purposes of this Chapter. Affirmative action ordered may include but is not limited to the remedies enumerated in R.S. 51:2261(C). (5) Employ an executive director, attorneys, hearing examiners, clerks, and other employees and agents. (6) Accept grants, gifts, or bequests, public or private, to help finance its activities.
Under La. R.S. § 51:2238, local anti-discrimination commissions in Louisiana parishes and municipalities are granted a defined set of powers to enforce local ordinances that prohibit housing and other forms of discrimination. These powers include receiving and investigating complaints, compelling witnesses and evidence through court-issued subpoenas, holding hearings, and issuing orders that require violators to stop discriminatory conduct or take affirmative corrective steps. The provision also allows commissions to hire staff and accept outside funding to support their operations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Louisiana parishes or municipalities with local anti-discrimination ordinances should be aware that La. R.S. § 51:2238 gives local commissions meaningful enforcement authority. A compliant operator generally maintains practices that align with local non-discrimination ordinances, since a local commission can investigate complaints, subpoena records and witnesses, and issue binding remedial or affirmative orders. Operators who receive notice of a commission proceeding typically respond through proper legal channels, as orders issued after a hearing can require cessation of conduct and additional corrective action.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
La. R.S. § 51:2238 establishes that local commissions have the authority to receive and investigate discrimination complaints filed by or on behalf of individuals, which means tenants who believe a local anti-discrimination ordinance has been violated may have a path to relief through their parish or municipal commission. The commission can compel witnesses and documents, conduct hearings, and order landlords to stop violations or take affirmative remedial steps. Tenants exploring this avenue may benefit from contacting their local commission directly or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization familiar with local ordinance enforcement procedures.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation