A.  As used in this Part, “state agency” means any board, commission, department, agency, special district, authority, or other entity of the state and, as used in La. Rev. Stat. 13:5106, any nonpublic, nonprofit agency, person, firm, or corporation which has qualified with the United States Internal Revenue Service for an exemption from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3), (4), (7), (8), (10), or (19) of the Internal Revenue Code, and which, through contract with the state, provides services for the treatment, care, custody, control, or supervision of persons placed or referred to such agency, person, firm, or corporation by any agency or department of the state in connection with programs for treatment or services involving residential or day care for adults and children, foster care, rehabilitation, shelter, or counseling; however, the term “state agency” shall include such nonpublic, nonprofit agency, person, firm, or corporation only as it renders services to a person or persons on behalf of the state pursuant to a contract with the state.  The term “state agency” shall not include a nonpublic, nonprofit agency, person, firm or corporation that commits a willful or wanton, or grossly negligent, act or omission.  A nonpublic, nonprofit agency, person, firm or corporation otherwise included under the provisions of this Subsection shall not be deemed a “state agency” for the purpose of prohibiting trial by jury under La. Rev. Stat. 13:5105, and a suit against such agency, person, firm or corporation may be tried by jury as provided by law.  “State agency” does not include any political subdivision or any agency of a political subdivision.

B.  As the term is used in this Part, “political subdivision” means:

(1)  Any parish, municipality, special district, school board, sheriff, public board, institution, department, commission, district, corporation, agency, authority, or an agency or subdivision of any of these, and other public or governmental body of any kind which is not a state agency.

(2)  Any private entity, such as Transit Management of Southeast Louisiana, Inc. (TMSEL), including its employees, which on the behalf of a public transit authority was created as a result of Section 13(c) of the Urban Mass Transportation Act, requiring the terms of transit workers’ collective bargaining agreements to be honored and provides management and administrative duties of such agency or authority and such entity is employed by no other agency or authority, whether public or private.

C.  As the term is used in this Part, “suit” means civil actions as defined in Code of Civil Procedure Art. 421 whether instituted by principal or incidental demand.

Acts 1975, No. 434, §1; Acts 1987, No. 329, §1; Acts 1988, No. 781, §1; Acts 1989, No. 706, §1; Acts 2004, No. 704, §1, eff. Sept. 1, 2004.