| Advisory opinion request regarding whether the North Caddo Hospital Service District Board of Commissioners (Hospital District) may offer free meals to all police officers. |
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Advisory opinion request regarding whether the Hospital District may offer free meals to all police officers. This request was submitted by the Hospital District's attorney Walter White. Mr. White represents the Hospital District, which operates the North Caddo Medical Center (Hospital). He stated that the Hospital District believes that the complementary meals are de minimis and offer a great benefit, as the presence of the officers act as a deterrent to misbehavior. He provided that all police officers in uniform are welcome and that hospital staff are always present when the officers consume the meals. He provided that each individual meal costs approximately $8. He added that no meal is over the $61 limit on food and drink as provided for in La. R.S. 42:1115.1.
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La. R.S. 42:1115B prohibits a public employee from soliciting or accepting, directly or indirectly, anything of economic value as a gift or gratuity from any person or from any officer, director, agent, or employee of such person, if such public employee knows or reasonably should know that such person: (1) Conducts operations or activities which are regulated by the public employee's agency; or (2) Has substantial economic interests which may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the public employee's official duty.
La. R.S. 42:1115.1 B No person from whom a public servant is prohibited by R.S. 42:1111 or 1115(B) from receiving a thing of economic value shall give such public servant any food, drink or refreshment the total value of which exceeds 61 dollars for a single event at which food drink or refreshment is given.
La. R.S. 42:1102(16) defines a "Person" to mean an individual or legal entity other than a governmental entity, or agency thereof.
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Adopt draft advisory opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Suzanne Mooney |
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