The 2023 Louisiana Legislative Session has come to a close, and it was a great session for the protection of life, assistance for moms, and support of adoption!

Without question, our legislative activity has been a hallmark of our organization since 1970, and we are proud to represent babies, mothers, and you as we advocate for life. Thanks for your prayers and support of our efforts!

Here’s a review of the 2023 Legislative Session.

The Good Stuff We Passed

• 👍 The Adoption Tax Credit Act (HB 443 by Rep. Rick Edmonds)
  • The Adoption Tax Credit Act provides a refundable $5,000 tax credit for adopting a child under the age of 3 (the age of the child is determined at the time of the adoption placement) that can be claimed in the year in which adoption of the child becomes final.
  • Adoption can be expensive, and this will help adoptive families who are sacrificing to help a child.
  • The tax credit is not eligible for adopting a child from foster care.  Louisiana Right to Life supported including children in foster care and children older than 3, but do to the cost to the state, the bill was amended to its current form.
  • The adoptive family should maintain all records necessary to verify the adoption and, if requested, shall provide the records to the Department of Revenue when filing a tax return.
  • The tax credit is applicable to adoptions finalized on or after January 1, 2023.
  • Read the Act.
• 👍 The Pregnancy Center Tax Credit Act (SB 41 by Sen. Beth Mizell) 
  • The Pregnancy Center Tax Credit Act establishes a state tax credit for citizens who donate to pregnancy resource centers that are qualified as “maternal wellness centers.” Quality pre-natal and post-natal care and support ensures healthy outcomes for Louisiana mothers and their children. Maternal wellness centers assist mothers with essential services such as pre-natal and parenting classes, counseling, medical resources, and assistance with material needs. The goal of this Act to provide incentives for entities and individuals to donate to eligible maternal wellness centers that improve the quality of life for Louisiana mothers and families.
  • A “maternal wellness center” is defined under the law as a 501c3 organization that does not refer for abortion and provides the following services:
    • Provides pre-natal infant care, breastfeeding, and parenting education, peer or professional counseling, and pregnancy tests administered by a registered nurse.
    • Provides resources including how a person can apply for government assistance, a list of local doctors who accept Medicaid, and a list of community resources addressing the needs of women and children.
    • Provides adoption education and referrals
    • Provides material needs through direct assistance and referrals throughout pregnancy and for a minimum of two years after delivery
  • The act allows a Louisiana taxpayer who makes a donation to an eligible maternal wellness center to take a credit against their Louisiana income tax. The credit is equal to 50% of the donation. The total amount of the credits taken by any taxpayer during any taxable year shall not exceed 50% of the taxpayer’s tax liability.
  • The total amount of all the tax credits shall not exceed $5,000,000 in a single year.  The credits shall be given on a first-come, first-served basis, with no more than 20% percent of the total tax credits available allocated for contributions to a single maternal wellness center.
  • The Department of Revenue will promulgate further rules to govern the implementation of this tax credit.
  • The program takes effect in 2025.
  • Read the Act.
• 👍 The Pregnancy Expenses Fairness Act (HB 5 by Rep. Larry Frieman)
  • HB 5 enables a mother to secure 50% of out-of-pocket pregnancy-related expenses from the father of the child.
  • Read the Act.
• 👍 The Abuser Parental Rights Termination Act (HB 298 by Rep. Jason Hughes)
  • HB 298 provides victims of sexual assault who become pregnant as a result of the crime against them to have the parental rights of the perpetrator ended.  Louisiana Right to Life supported HB 298 to protect the rights of the heroic women who give their child the gift of life, even in the most difficult of circumstances.
  • Read the Act.
• 👍 The Miscarriage Certificate Act (HB 457 by Rep. Raymond Crews)
  • HB 457 allows a family to request a state certificate at no cost commemorating the passing of their unborn baby who tragically passed away through miscarriage.  Babies that pass away through miscarriage deserve our respect, and HB 457 gives families an optional way to remember the life of their child.
  • The certificate is voluntary and will only be provided upon request.
  • Read the Act.
• 👍 We secured $2.2 Million in state funds for the Alternative to Abortion program to assist pregnancy centers!

The Bad Stuff We Stopped

• 🛑 We stopped extremely broad legislation that would have legalized abortion in cases of rape and incest.
• 🛑 We stopped dangerous legislation to gut our pro-life laws by removing all criminal penalties from those who violate the law.
• 🛑 We stopped vague legislation that could have legalized abortion up to the 6th month of pregnancy.