This Louisiana resolution designates April 11-17, 2026, as Black Maternal Health Week to raise awareness about maternal health disparities in the state. The measure formally acknowledges the work of community organizations and healthcare providers while reaffirming a commitment to improving care for Black mothers. It does not alter laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the need for equitable healthcare access and policy action.
HCR 110 is a concurrent resolution that declares maternal mortality a public health emergency in Louisiana and urges the state Department of Health to conduct a comprehensive review of the crisis. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, hospitals, managed care organizations, and community groups by requesting they collaborate to evaluate barriers to care, such as geographic disparities and workforce shortages. Key provisions ask for an analysis of why maternal deaths are occurring, including factors like delayed prenatal care and social determinants of health, with the goal of producing recommendations to improve outcomes and strengthen accountability. This measure is non-binding and does not create new laws, but rather directs state agencies to study the issue and propose a plan to reduce preventable deaths.
This bill is a resolution that officially designates Friday, May 22, 2026, as World Preeclampsia Awareness Day within Louisiana to highlight the dangers of this pregnancy-related condition. It also formally commends Woman's Hospital for its efforts in providing care to pregnant women and reducing preventable deaths and preterm births. The measure does not create new laws or change funding but serves as a symbolic recognition to raise public awareness about maternal health risks.
This resolution asks the Louisiana State University School of Health Sciences to study how environmental risks affect maternal health. The study must identify connections between chemical exposures and health issues like respiratory or reproductive problems and deliver a written report by July 1, 2027. Findings will be shared with state health committees and the legislative research library to help guide future public health policies. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal request for research.
This Louisiana legislative resolution designates Friday, May 22, 2026, as World Preeclampsia Awareness Day within the state. The measure aims to raise public awareness about preeclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure that poses risks to both mothers and infants. Additionally, the resolution acknowledges Woman's Hospital for its role in providing care to pregnant women and working to reduce maternal and infant deaths. The bill is a symbolic gesture intended to highlight the importance of addressing maternal health issues in Louisiana.
This Louisiana House resolution asks various medical and coding organizations to review and update terms used to describe miscarriage and pregnancy loss. The bill specifically urges groups like the World Health Organization and the American Medical Association to replace older phrases such as "spontaneous abortion" with language that is more compassionate and less likely to cause confusion or emotional distress. By recommending terms like "early pregnancy loss" or "miscarriage," the resolution aims to ensure that clinical records and billing documents reflect patient preferences while maintaining medical accuracy. This request is based on findings that current terminology can stigmatize women and negatively impact their mental health during a traumatic time.
This bill designates Monday, April 13, 2026, as My Sister's Keeper Day at the Louisiana State Capitol. It formally recognizes the Black Women's Health Imperative and the Southern University and A&M College Chapter of My Sister's Keeper for their work in promoting health equity and leadership among Black women and girls. The resolution does not alter laws or allocate funding but serves as a commemorative gesture to honor these organizations' contributions to wellness and advocacy.
HB 611 requires pregnancy help centers in Louisiana providing healthcare services - such as pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, or medical counseling - to obtain a license from the Louisiana Department of Health. Centers offering only non-medical services (like peer counseling or religious support) are exempt from licensing. The bill sets standards comparable to outpatient healthcare facilities, including staff qualifications, infection control, and client confidentiality, with enforcement through inspections and fines up to $5,000 per day for unlicensed operation. It explicitly does not require abortion services, regulate religious activities, or restrict non-healthcare-related speech.
HB 261 creates exceptions to Louisiana's abortion restrictions for pregnancies resulting from specific sex offenses, including rape, sexual battery, and molestation. It directly affects pregnant individuals whose pregnancies stem from acts classified under Louisiana statutes like R.S. 14:41 (rape) or R.S. 14:81.2 (molestation). The bill explicitly states that no police report, forensic evidence, or prosecution of the alleged offense is required to qualify for this exception. This policy change expands access to abortion services in defined circumstances without mandating additional legal or medical documentation.
SB 32 establishes the Perinatal Bereavement Care Initiative within Louisiana's Department of Health to improve support for families experiencing pregnancy loss or infant death. The bill requires hospitals providing maternity care to receive staff training on supporting grieving parents, access to bereavement resources (like counseling referrals), and perinatal bereavement devices. It prioritizes hospitals serving high-risk patients, delivering many babies, or lacking current bereavement resources. The initiative can fund these services using voluntary monies, including federal grants and donations, without imposing new taxes.
