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If Louisiana bans abortion, will the state spend more money on pregnant people, children?
Anti-abortion Republican lawmakers who oversee the budget process in the Louisiana Legislature offered little to no insight on whether more money would be made available for increased maternal health and child care.
House Republicans plan to remove language punishing pregnant people from abortion bill
They also want to strip it of provisions meant to restrict certain forms of birth control and affect fertility treatments, according to interviews with Republican lawmakers.
Louisiana Right to Life opposes bill that would classify abortion as homicide
“Our long-standing policy is that abortion-vulnerable women should not be treated as criminals,” the group said in a written statement released Friday night. “Instead, we should hold accountable the individuals performing the abortion or selling or providing the chemical abortion drugs.”
Louisiana House votes to limit use of solitary confinement on incarcerated youth
The Louisiana House of Representatives voted 86-7 Thursday to place legal limits on the use of solitary confinement in state centers for incarcerated youth. It follows an explosive investigation revealing that underage people in state custody were held in isolation without access to education or rehabilitative services for weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic. House Bill […]
It could get even harder to sue Mardi Gras krewes for float deaths, injuries
The Louisiana House voted 96-0 Wednesday for legislation that would make it more difficult to sue Mardi Gras krewes and other parade organizations over death or injuries caused by parade floats. It now moves to the Senate for consideration. House Bill 923, sponsored by Rep. Scott McKnight, R-Baton Rouge, would limit the ability for people […]
Edwards declines to share personal views on leaked draft of Supreme Court abortion opinion
Gov. John Bel Edwards declined Wednesday to share his personal views on a leaked draft of a U.S. Supreme Court opinion that indicates the court is leaning toward overturning Roe vs. Wade – the landmark court decision that guarantees access to abortion across the country. When asked about the draft opinion, written by Justice Samuel […]
After violent attacks, Louisiana considers reversing juvenile justice approach focused on therapy
Michele Piazza’s face swelled up with bruises. Her leg was broken in more than one place. She was beaten so severely that a year after the attack on her, she continues to have physical and mental health challenges. Piazza has worked in prisons and secure care facilities for 18 years. She never got so much […]
Louisiana House Speaker gives lawmakers who voted with him plum committee assignments
House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales, has given two political independents desirable committee assignments after they sided with him in a March standoff with Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards over a veto of Louisiana’s congressional map. Schexnayder appointed Rep. Joe Marino of Gretna chairman of the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice last week. […]
A Louisiana law was supposed to make it easier for abuse victims to sue. It needs fixing.
The Louisiana Legislature is considering a bill aimed at fixing a law created last year that was supposed to make it easier for abuse to sue institutions like the Catholic Church. Instead, it might have imposed unintended restrictions on the very litigation it was designed to help.
Louisiana Senate overwhelmingly votes for abortion pill restrictions
The Louisiana Senate overwhelmingly approved more restrictions on abortion pills in a 33-2 vote Monday (April 25). Every Republican and eight out of 10 Democrats in the chamber supported the legislation carried by Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell. No senator spoke out against the restrictions on the Senate floor before the vote took place. Senate Bill […]
Louisiana House votes to give health department authority over nursing home evacuation plans
The Louisiana House voted 101-0 Monday (April 25) to give the Louisiana Department of Health oversight over nursing home emergency preparedness plans in the wake of the horrific evacuation of nearly 850 nursing home residents to an old pesticide warehouse for Hurricane Ida. The Senate will now take up the proposal. House Bill 291, by […]
Proposed Louisiana budget includes at least $650 million with no specific purpose
The Louisiana House moved a budget package Thursday that gives K-12 public teachers and university faculty members pay raises. It also leaves hundreds of millions of public dollars with no specific spending purpose.