Louisiana Legislative Countdown 3.18.24

Last Monday, March 11 marked the start of the 2024 regular session of the Louisiana Legislature. Abortion has been banned for more than a year in Louisiana, but Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast will never stop fighting to restore our rights and protect access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care and education for all Louisianians.

In the face of persistent legislative attacks and a new hostile administration, we push forward with one clear message: We won’t back down.

Here are three important  bills we’re supporting this session:

HB164 by Rep. Delisha Boyd: This bill would amend the state’s devastating total abortion to allow exceptions for survivors of rape and incest to access abortion care without invasive reporting requirements. Everyone should be able to get the health care they need regardless of their circumstances, and for survivors of sexual violence, the ability to make their own decisions about their bodies and futures is especially important.

HB395 by Rep. Delisha Boyd/SB225 by Sen. Royce Duplessis: This legislation  aims to proactively protect contraception by codifying an individual’s right to access birth control, emergency contraception, and information related to this care and protecting health care providers’ right to offer it. Contraception is basic, essential health care used by millions of people to plan their families, finish their education, and pursue their dreams. In a state where abortion is banned and all sexual and reproductive health is under attack, it’s critical that every person can access the preventive care and resources they need to live full, healthy lives and determine their own futures. 

SB 135 by Sen. Royce Duplessis: This bill would ensure all pregnant Louisianans’ eligibility for Medicaid coverage for twelve months postpartum, and would expand current law to include findings about maternal morbidity, current Medicaid policy, and postpartum health care coverage. Louisiana’s maternal mortality rate continues to rise as the state’s total abortion ban and provider shortages worsen health disparities for marginalized communities, particularly Black women and people with low incomes. We must expand access to affordable health care and ensure that all Louisianans can get the care they need before, during, and after pregnancy.

Check out this comprehensive guide from our partners at the Louisiana Coalition for Reproductive Freedom (LCRF) to stay informed about critical reproductive health, justice, and equity issues unfolding throughout the session.

This year, we're educating to advocate. Visit our 2024 Louisiana Legislative Session page for more information on important bills, navigating the legislative session, how to contact your legislators, and more!

Join us at the Louisiana State Capitol for Women on Wednesday (WoW) this Wednesday, March 20 for Reproductive Freedom Day! 

Organized by Lift Louisiana and 10,000 Women Louisiana in collaboration with PPGC, WoW is a weekly series dedicated to empowering supporters like you to effectively advocate for our health and rights at the Capitol. You’ll get the tools and resources you need to join us in the fight for reproductive freedom this session.

Learn more and sign up to join us in Baton Rouge here.