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Despite push from conservatives, veto session unlikely according to House leadership
While the Louisiana Conservative Caucus is pushing for a veto override session, Republicans who lead the House of Representatives don’t think it’s likely. The caucus put out a statement Thursday on Facebook calling for a veto override session. The group, made up of 42 of the most vocal Republicans in the House, targeted their ire […]
In Louisiana, an abortion clinic anxiously waits for a U.S. Supreme Court ruling
SHREVEPORT – On a Thursday morning in mid-June, every parking space in the Hope Medical Group for Women parking lot was claimed by a car with either a Louisiana or Texas license plate. A brown fence surrounding the abortion clinic provides some privacy, obscuring the faces of people going in and out of the building. […]
Abortion medication by mail banned in Louisiana
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a bill Wednesday prohibiting the sale of abortion-inducing medication by prescribers outside the state. Senate Bill 388, sponsored by Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell, creates the crime of “abortion by means of an abortion-inducing drug,” which includes delivering, dispensing, distributing or providing abortifacients when the person administering the medication is […]
Louisiana governor enacts laws to protect medical marijuana patients, hurricane victims
The office of Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Tuesday he has signed 97 more bills into law, including multiple measures to protect hurricane victims and patients who use medical marijuana. The national spotlight was on vulnerable Louisiana residents last August in the wake of Hurricane Ida, the second most destructive hurricane to make landfall […]
Governor signs Sen. Katrina Jackson’s bill upping criminal penalties for abortion providers
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has signed some of the nation’s strictest abortion restrictions into law, increasing the criminal penalties for abortion providers under the state’s trigger laws. Louisiana is one of 13 states with trigger laws, which go into effect if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Under a law signed by […]
COVID vaccine for young children soon available in Louisiana
Louisiana parents seeking to get their young children vaccinated against COVID-19 will be able to get the shot starting this week. After the Food and Drug Administration announced last week the vaccine has been given emergency use authorization for kids aged 6 months to 5 years, the Louisiana Department of Health announced Monday it will […]
TOPS candidates may substitute computer coding for foreign language
The Louisiana Legislature signed off on a bill Monday that would allow students to substitute computer coding for a foreign language when being considered for TOPS eligibility. Senate Bill 191, sponsored by Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell, would amend the requirements for eligibility for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students to allow them to count two […]
Louisiana Legislature signs off on tiered system for convicted juveniles
The Legislature passed a bill that would sort juveniles convicted of crimes into risk categories that could be used to segregate high-risk youth in secure facilities. Senate Bill 323, sponsored by state Sen. Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek, would require the state Department of Public Safety and Corrections to adopt rules that would sort juveniles into […]
Louisiana House approves harsher criminal penalties for abortion providers
The Louisiana House of Representatives gave final passage Thursday to bills that would enhance criminal penalties for abortion providers and make it a crime for out-of-state companies to supply abortion pills to Louisiana residents by mail. Senate Bill 342, sponsored by Sen. Katrina Jackson, D-Monroe, would increase criminal penalties for abortion providers under Louisiana’s trigger […]
For state employees who use medical marijuana, job protection within reach
The Louisiana Senate gave final passage to a bill Wednesday that would protect state employees who legally use medical marijuana. House Bill 988, sponsored by Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans, protects state employees from negative consequences if they are diagnosed with conditions for which a doctor recommends medical marijuana used in accordance with state law. […]
Louisiana lawmakers consider gun ban for convicted juveniles until age 24
The House voted 59-39 Tuesday to pass a bill that would prohibit young people convicted of crimes from possessing firearms until they are 24 years old. Senate Bill 379, sponsored by Sen. Barrow Peacock, R-Bossier City, would prohibit juveniles with violent criminal convictions from possessing firearms until then. The House amended the bill, which was […]
Bill to improve housing access for Louisiana’s formerly incarcerated fails in committee
A Louisiana Senate committee shot down a bill Wednesday that would have made it easier for formerly incarcerated people to access housing. House Bill 1063, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Willard, D-New Orleans, would have amended the Louisiana Equal Housing Opportunity Act to require housing providers to disclose whether criminal history is considered as a basis […]