The 2012 Louisiana Legislative Session was from March 12 to June 4, and it was a very active and successful session for Louisiana Right to Life!
Louisiana Right to Life, along with the work of pro-life legislators, championed four pro-life bills this session. See below to read about the bills that are becoming a part of Louisiana law!
2012 Legislative Successes:
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SB 708: Hear the Heartbeat Act
- Author: Senate Pro Tempore Sharon Weston Broome
- Summary: Based on the recent 5th Circuit decision, the Hear the Hearbeat Act requires the abortionist to make the heartbeat of the unborn child audible to the woman prior to an abortion if the hearbeat can be registered on the fetal Doppler moniter, typically estimated at 6 weeks post-fertilization.
- This act was signed by Governor Bobby Jindal in June.
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SB 766: Viable and Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
- Author: Senate President John Alario
- Summary: Based on the viability of the unborn child, the ability of the child to feel pain, and the documented risks to women’s health, the Act prohibits abortions at or after twenty (20) weeks post-fertilization.
- Text of Legislation (as of 2 March 2012)
- This act has been sent to the Governor to be signed–updates coming soon!
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SB 330: Criminal Abortion Dismemberment Act
- Author: Senator Rick Ward
- Summary: Creates a specific crime for performing an abortion (the dismemberment of an unborn child) in the state of Louisiana if the abortionist is not licensed to practice medicine in Louisiana. This legislation clarifies the law and provide the Distrcit Attorney more ability to prosecute illegal abortionists.
- Text of Legislation (as of 2 March 2012)
- This act was signed by Governor Bobby Jindal in June.
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HB 1086: Protecting the Disabled and Ill from Euthanasia
- Author: Representative Alan Seabaugh
- Summary: This act strengthens Louisiana’s protections against assited sucide and euthanasia and was an initiative of the Louisiana Right to Life Center for Medical Ethics, directed by Ryan Verret.
- This act has been sent to the Governor to be signed–updates coming soon!
