Louisiana Legislative Session 5.20.24

There are only TWO WEEKS left of regular session at the state capitol. Our legislative champions, advocates, doctors, and survivors fought tirelessly again this session for much-needed updates to Louisiana’s devastating abortion ban. Their efforts serve as a reminder that we must continue to share the impacts of these draconian laws and demand better from our lawmakers. We’re sending out a special thank you to Reps. Alonzo Knox (D - New Orleans) and Joy Walters (D - Shreveport) who sit on the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee where these proposals were heard and passionately advocated for their passage alongside the bill authors and survivors who testified.

While the bulk of our work for the session is wrapping up, it is no time to tune out. Between a potential constitutional convention, attempts to further restrict and criminalize medication abortion, and continued efforts to increase the governor’s power, we must stay locked in!

ICYMI:

We recently highlighted a sneak attack via an amendment to proposed SB 276 that would add mifepristone and misoprostol to the list of controlled dangerous substances with the potential for abuse or dependency, despite the fact that  these are long-proven safe and effective medications with important uses even beyond abortion care, including for miscarriage management. This month, hundreds of doctors across the state signed on to a letter to bill author Sen. Thomas Pressley expressing their deep concerns about the far-reaching consequences of the  amendment and urging him to reconsider, which he has so far declined to do. The amended bill is pending a final vote on the House floor, currently scheduled for Tuesday, May 21. If passed, it will then return to the Senate for concurrence before heading to the governor for signature. Contact your representatives to tell them to halt this dangerous amendment.

In some POSITIVE news, two of the bills seeking to gut public records law are essentially dead for this session. For now, reason has prevailed on these bills. However, attempts to further obstruct government transparency are ongoing: Legislation to shield the governor’s mansion from public records and open meetings laws is now headed to Gov. Landry’s desk for signature.

HB 800, the bill to call a constitutional convention this summer, passed the House  and now heads to the Senate. With only two weeks left of regular session, it’s unclear whether lawmakers will prioritize the con-con and and push it over the finish line. Senate President Cameron Henry was skeptical that the effort would receive support with the current lack of information. On Friday, leaders of the con-con effort said they would seek to strip sales tax protections off food, medicine, and utilities from the state constitution. Interested in learning more? Register for Power Coalition’s Constitutional Convention Call on Wednesday evening.

This Wednesday, May 22, we are hosting Faith in Action Day at the capitol, led by PPGC’s Louisiana Faith Leader Advocacy Council. Attendees will get an inside look at our advocacy work, meet legislators, and strategize how we can redefine the role of faith and religion at the capitol. Lunch and carpool assistance will be provided. Sign up here!

HB 975 by Rep. Dodie Horton, which seeks to prevent young people from accessing certain medical care and counseling services by mandating parental consent, is pending a vote on the House floor. While most young people do talk to a parent about their health care needs, not every young person can – and no law can force healthy family communication. Instead, forced parental involvement creates more barriers to health care and decision-making, especially for young people with limited resources and unsafe or unsupportive home environments. Laws like HB 975 threaten the health, dignity, and safety of young people. Contact your legislators and let them know you support Louisiana youth and their access to essential health care, which HB 975 would jeopardize.

SB 276, which seeks to add mifepristone and misoprostol to the state’s dangerous controlled substances list, is scheduled for debate on the House floor tomorrow, Tuesday, May 21. This would make it even harder for Louisianans to get essential reproductive health care, including for miscarriage management. Contact your representatives today to tell them to stop this dangerous proposal.