SB 501 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Requires public postsecondary education institutions to post information on campuses promoting STI prevention, screening, and treatment to be known as the Campus Awareness Initiative. (gov sig) (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

SB 501, known as the Campus Awareness Initiative, requires public colleges and universities in Louisiana to display specific signs in student health centers. These signs, which must feature the message "Worried about STIs? Just Check!" along with a link to state resources, aim to promote awareness of sexually transmitted infection prevention, screening, and treatment. The Louisiana Department of Health or a designated nonprofit organization is responsible for designing and producing these durable signs, though the department may use donated funds or accept donated signs to cover costs. This bill directly affects public postsecondary institutions and their health services by mandating the placement of these informational displays in patient admission, waiting, and consultation areas.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Mar 31, 2026 Signed Jun 2, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB501 Original SB501 Act · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was formally enrolled and expanded to include additional sponsors. The core policy requirements for STI prevention signs in student health centers remain unchanged, but the funding mechanism was modified to allow the Department of Health to use donated funds or accept donated signs instead of spending its own budget. A new definition was added to clarify that the 'designated nonprofit organization' must be a specific type of tax-exempt entity approved by the state.
Scope change
The bill's scope of sponsors was expanded to include Representatives Boyd, Carpenter, Carrier, Wilford Carter, Chassion, Farnum, Illg, Jackson, Travis Johnson, Lafleur, Mandie Landry, Terry Landry, Lyons, Marcelle, Murray, Taylor, Walters, and Young.
ELIGIBILITY

Added a specific definition for 'designated nonprofit organization' requiring it to be a private, tax-exempt entity under 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) designated by the Department of Health secretary.

FISCAL

Changed the funding requirement from the Department of Health spending its own funds to allowing the use of donated funds or the acceptance of donated signs, subject to approval.

TECHNICAL

Added the formal 'ENROLLED' status, Act number, and signatures of the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, and Governor, finalizing the legislative process.

Floor votes · Senate May 11, 2026 · House May 26, 2026

How they voted

370
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 40
May 11, 2026
D Democratic12
11 Yea 1
91% Yea
R Republican28
26 Yea 2
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
4
Committee
3
Amendments
1
May 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 96, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
lower
May 20, 2026
Introduced
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
lower
May 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (12-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
lower
May 12, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Education.
lower
May 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably.
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Introduced
Rules suspended. Introduced in the Senate. Read by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.
upper
1 primary · 17 co-sponsors

Sponsors