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Associated Press
10-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Louisiana lawmakers pass bill targeting out-of-state doctors who prescribe and mail abortion pills
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana lawmakers on Tuesday approved a measure that targets out-of-state doctors and activists who prescribe, sell, or provide pregnancy-ending drugs to residents in the reliably red state where abortions are banned with few exceptions. Louisiana law already allows women to sue doctors who perform abortions on them in the state. The bill expands who can be sued. It includes those out of the state, who may be responsible for an illegal abortion whether that be mailing, prescribing or 'coordinating the sale of' pregnancy-ending pills to someone in Louisiana. The legislation, which further restricts access to abortion pills, now heads to the desk of conservative Republican Gov. Jeff Landry. The bill was crafted in response to a criminal case against a New York doctor who allegedly prescribed online and sent abortion pills to a pregnant Louisiana minor, Attorney General Liz Murrill said last month. Murrill argues the measure is 'another tool in the toolbox' to dissuade and hold accountable out-of-state doctors who are 'intent on violating our laws.' The case is at the center of an unfolding battle between liberal and conservative states over abortion medications and prescribing such drugs across state lines. Idaho, Oklahoma and Texas already have adopted similar provisions. State Sen. Rick Edmonds, who presented the bill, told lawmakers the measure is 'a statement' that 'these pills are not welcome' in Louisiana. Under the legislation, the mother of the fetus could sue 'any person or entity' who knowingly 'performs, causes, or substantially facilitates an abortion.' The bill defines 'substantially facilitates' as 'administering, prescribing, dispensing, distributing, selling, or coordinating the sale for an abortion-inducing drug to a person in this state.' The measure specifies that it does not apply if such drugs are obtained for legal uses. Abortions are legal in Louisiana only when there's substantial risk of death or impairment to the mother if she continues the pregnancy or when the fetus has a fatal abnormality. Women would have up to 10 years after an abortion to sue. Health care providers licensed to practice in Louisiana and pharmacists in compliance with state pharmacy board rules are exempt. Opponents argue the bill is unnecessary because Louisian has some of the strictest abortion laws in the U.S. They also argue that the legislation further hinders women's health care and that heightened legal repercussions could drive doctors from the state. Democratic state Sen. Royce Duplessis described the bill — which was significantly watered down from its original version — as the latest way conservatives are attempting to 'exercise control over women's decision making as it relates to their health care.' 'It baffles me how year after year, after these (anti-abortion) organizations have gotten everything that they wanted — they got Roe overturned, trigger laws took effect and don't even think about getting an abortion in the state of Louisiana, but here we go again,' Duplessis said. 'We have to send another message.' Louisiana already has punishments in place for illegal abortions. Physicians convicted of the crime face up to 15 years in prison. Additionally, last year lawmakers added two abortion pills — mifepristone and misoprostol — to the state's list of dangerous controlled substances. As a result, if someone possesses either drug without a prescription they could be sent to jail for one to five years. But anti-abortion advocates say 'loopholes' remain in Louisiana law. Murrill pointed to the case of Margaret Carpenter, the New York doctor who was charged in Louisiana with criminal abortion by means of abortion-inducing drugs, a felony. Authorities allege that last year, the mother of a pregnant minor requested abortion medication online for her daughter. Carpenter allegedly sent the pills to Louisiana and the woman directed her pregnant daughter to take them. 'These are not doctors providing health care. They are drug dealers. They are violating our laws,' Murrill told lawmakers last month. Despite demands from Louisiana officials, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said she will not extradite Carpenter. The case appears to be the first of its kind since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. It will likely test other states' shield laws that protect doctors from prosecution in places that ban abortions. Carpenter faces a $100,000 fine in Texas for allegedly violating state law by prescribing abortion medication to a woman via telemedicine. However, a county clerk refused to file the civil judgment, citing New York's shield law.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
St. George school system amendment bill headed to Louisiana Senate
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A school district is one step closer to becoming a reality in St. George after the Louisiana House of Representatives approved a bill on Monday, June 9. The bill now heads to the Louisiana Senate, where if approved, the public will then have a say during the statewide election on April 18, 2026. SB 25 and SB 234 were both authored by Sen. Rick Edmonds and co-authored by State Representative Emily Chenevert. They aim to create a community school system in St. George, as well as provide details on how it would work. Former Baton Rouge mayor criticizes current administration in social media video Lafayette Regional Airport lockdown lifted, no explosives found House GOP effort to lock in DOGE cuts faces Republican resistance St. George school system amendment bill headed to Louisiana Senate Federal minimum wage would rise to $15 under Sen. Hawley bill California Republican pushes back against Trump immigration enforcement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill to create St. George Community School System passes House
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The bill to create a school system for the City of St. George has passed the House on Wednesday. SB 25 and SB 234, both authored by Sen. Rick Edmonds, are aimed at creating the St. George Community School System and treating it as a parish school district. SB 25 would allow the created school system the ability to participate in the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) state funding formula, get free teaching materials from the state and levy local taxes for school funding. If the bill becomes a law, the school system would begin operating schools on July 1, 2027. SB 234 is the implementation plan, showing a breakdown of how the school system would operate. The school board will be made up of seven appointed interim members and one appointed interim superintendent. A more permanent board will be elected and can serve four-year concurrent terms. All public school property, including buses, within the City of St. George border would be transferred from the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board by June 30, 2027. Students will have the option to remain at their current schools after the split, depending on the student's grade level. East Baton Rouge must cooperate in transferring records, assets, and access to facilities. Until June 30, 2027, East Baton Rouge Parish will collect all sales, use, and property taxes before the City of St. George takes over on July 1, 2027. Louisiana bill on Baton Rouge blight moves forward More people speak out against Clinton tax preparer accused of fraud AI may cut drug discovery time, says scientific software leader Keeping pets safe in the summer heat: Local experts share tips May Street closures in effect, Baton Rouge residents concerned with traffic congestion Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bill to put St. George school system on a ballot advances in House Committee
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A bill that paves the way for the newly formed city of St. George to operate its own school system has moved forward in the Regular Legislative Session. Senate Bill 25 passed out of the Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday. 'All Senate Bill 25 does as a companion bill is it gives it an election date in April so that people can vote on it,' said Senator Rick Edmonds (R-Baton Rouge). The companion bill he's referring to is Senate Bill 234. That bill would actually create the St. George school board and system within the parish of East Baton Rouge. That bill still must go through the Committee on Education. In terms of legislative progress, SB 234 has a few more hurdles to clear. Tuesday opponents of SB 25 told committee members it would ultimately divert millions of dollars away from Baton Rouge schools, and they believe passing it now was 'putting the cart before the horse.' Senator Edmonds rejected the suggestion to defer his bill until SB 234 is passed through committee, saying it's not uncommon to pass legislation out of order. 'We do it all the time, it's the timeline we get under that we have to pass companion bills, this bill still has to go to civil laws, the language has to be approved. So if you just look at the timing of legislation, those are things that happen all the time,' said Edmonds. SB 25 passed out of the Appropriations Committee on a 15 to 2 vote. SB 234 is a constitutional amendment, so it must ultimately go before the voter before becoming law. Edmonds is hopeful to have it on the ballot for an April 2026 election. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Funding issues delay City of St. George school district creation bill
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Plans to create a new school district for the City of St. George were delayed after the East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS) raised objections, prompting lawmakers to defer the bill. Senate Bills 25 and 234, authored by Sen. Rick Edmonds and Rep. Emily Chenevert, seek to allow St. George to break away and form its own school district. The board said it doesn't oppose voters having a say. However, members worry that the current bills would put 'unfair burdens' on the school system. At the heart of the board's opposition is a $360 million unfunded liability for retiree health and life insurance benefits. The resolution states that SB 234 doesn't clearly explain how to manage this debt if the new district forms. This leaves EBRPSS with all the financial responsibility. The resolution also criticizes a part of SB 234. This part would let students from the new St. George district access EBR magnet programs forever. Board members say this would reduce chances for EBR students. Many magnet programs already have long waiting lists. In the resolution, the board said this bill would lock in an unequal system and take control away from both districts. It passed during a special meeting Monday night. On Tuesday, Edmonds asked the House Education Committee to temporarily defer consideration of SB 234. SB 25, which passed 8-2 in committee, suggests a constitutional change to fund the new district. However, the board wants lawmakers to delay both bills until they amend SB 234 to address their concerns. The resolution tells the board's general counsel to send copies to all members of the East Baton Rouge legislative delegation as the bills go to debate in the House. Lifeguard shortage delays opening of Liberty Lagoon New Hampshire bakery wins free speech case over a painting of doughnuts, pastries NOAA predicts above average 2025 hurricane season: How many storms US could see Baton Rouge youth choir talks about going viral, new album releasing this summer SCHEDULE | Race day for the Indianapolis 500 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
