The Passing of Amendment 1

Last legislative session, Louisiana politicians passed a bill to introduce anti-abortion language to the Louisiana State Constitution. Known as Amendment 1, this ballot initiative passed in the 2020 presidential election.

The amendment will add the following to the Louisiana State Constitution: “To protect human life, nothing in present constitution shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.”

While Amendment 1 passed, it does not outlaw abortion in Louisiana. Right now, access remains the same. Abortion is still safe and legal in Louisiana. Abortion providers in Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans are still open, and Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast health centers are open to provide sexual and reproductive health care and resources and to connect Louisiana patients with abortion care.

What You Need to Know

Even with the passing of Amendment 1, our day-to-day operations in Louisiana will not change: Our health center doors are open, and we will continue to provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care, education, and advocacy for all.
Because Amendment 1 passed, it will set the stage for further restrictions on Louisianans’ access to health care and for politicians to keep chipping away at our rights and personal freedoms.
In Louisiana, this amendment will make legal challenges to harmful abortion restrictions even more difficult.
This could lead to efforts that block, criminalize or ultimately remove abortion.
These measures will disproportionately impact communities of color and people with low-incomes, who already face multiple barriers just to access basic health care. Eventually, we may see increases in poor maternal and child health outcomes – especially for people of color and low-income people.
If Roe v. Wade is ever overturned, people in Louisiana could be forced to carry unintended pregnancies or take on various burdens to travel out of state for abortion care.

Louisiana Rapid Response Team

To help us prepare for future fights, we encourage you to join our Louisiana Rapid Response Team. As a member of our Legislative Rapid Response Team, you'll effect change on a grassroots level and ensure reproductive rights are a top priority for Louisiana legislators. Join the fight for pro-choice legislative advances and against extremist, dangerous attacks.

Join Us

Here are the 3 ways to stay engage - we need you in this fight!

Get involved. We rely on dedicated individual volunteers to help educate and mobilize. Learn more about volunteer opportunities here in Louisiana

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