Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 4. Source pages: 8.
HB 517 Creates Medical Advisory Council for Dept. of Corrections
Present law (R.S. 15:827) outlines the duties of Department of Public Safety & Corrections, or DPS&C. The proposed law creates the DPS&C Medical Advisory Council composed of 13 members from each of the following disciplines or associations: orthopedic surgery; obstetrics or gynecology; cardiology; interventional pain management; family practice; physical and occupational medicine; oncology; psychology or psychiatry; general internal medicine; La. State University School of Medicine dean, or designee; Tulane Medical School dean, or designee; Xavier University College of Pharmacy, or designee; and La. Dept. of Health director, or designee.
Present law provides that the professional association that represents each discipline shall provide the secretary with three nominees. The secretary shall choose the representative to represent their respective discipline on the council and the secretary may appoint additional representatives.
The measure has been referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 4. Source pages: 8.
HB 582 Adds Louisiana to Professional Counselor Interstate Compact
HB 582 by Rep. Stagni adds Louisiana to the Licensed Professional Counselor Interstate Compact. Proposed law allows Louisiana to join the Licensed Professional Counselor Interstate Compact. Louisiana, as a participating state, to adopt the same uniform professional counseling licensure requirements as the states in the Licensed Professional Counselor Interstate Compact. Proposed law establishes telehealth technology for states in the Compact.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 4. Source pages: 9.
HB 605 Bans Health Professionals from "Conversion Therapy" with Minors
HB 605, authored by Representatives Landry, Duplessis, and Freeman, define "conversion therapy" and prohibit certain licensed health professionals from engaging in that practice with any minor. The bill is pending in the Committee on Health and Welfare.
Proposed law sets forth legislative findings relative to the practice known as conversion therapy including the following: (1) "Conversion therapy" is a general term that encompasses practices intended to change a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or two-spirit individual's sexual orientation, gender identity, or both. (2) According to the American Psychiatric Assoc., there is no rigorous scientific research supporting claims that an unwanted sexual orientation can be "cured" through any method. (3) The American Psychological Assoc., American Psychiatric Assoc., and American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry have all taken public positions against the use of conversion therapy.
The proposed law defines "conversion therapy", for purposes of proposed law, as any practice or treatment conducted without a person's consent which is intended to change the person's sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex or gender.
The measure provides that conversion therapy includes all of the following: (1) Any practice by a healthcare provider that attempts or purports to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity conducted without the person's consent. (2) Any practice by a healthcare provider that attempts or purports to change the behavioral expression of a person's sexual orientation or gender identity conducted without the person's consent. (3) Any practice by a healthcare provider that attempts or purports to eliminate or reduce a person's sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex or gender conducted without the person's consent.
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Last week, Gov. Edwards issued a statement saying, "I am holding the people of Ukraine in my prayers and in my heart, as their safety and sovereignty is threatened. The Ukrainians deserve to know peace and I hope all Louisianans will join me in praying that this peace comes swiftly," he said.
"No one knows precisely what the coming weeks and months will bring, but I am also praying for the members of our American military and their families, who always stand ready to defend freedom alongside our allies."
Under these conditions the Vice President has delayed her trip to Louisiana, said the Governor. "I am praying for the President and the Vice President and their advisors and our military leaders at this time, that they may act with strength and resolve in response to this escalating conflict. I look forward to welcoming her to our great state at a more appropriate time.
"No one knows precisely what the coming weeks and months will bring, but I am also praying for the members of our American military and their families, who always stand ready to defend freedom alongside our allies."
In a related item, U.S. Congressman Garret Graves of South Louisiana was critical of the Biden Administration in a statement this week.
"[…] Blocking the production of American energy while increasing our reliance on Russian energy is beyond stupid, yet this is exactly what has happened. These very policies have effectively funded much of Vladimir Putin's attack on Ukraine and attack on freedom. We predicted this exact outcome and nothing but more pain is on the horizon without wholesale energy policy changes."
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 9.
Sen. Mizell's SB 63 would expand reporting of abuse. The present law provides for reports of child abuse or neglect where the abuser is believed to be a parent or caretaker, a person who maintains an interpersonal dating or engagement relationship with the parent or caretaker, or a person living in the same residence with the parent or caretaker as a spouse whether married or not to be made to the Dept. of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Further provides that all other reports are to be made to a local or state law enforcement agency.
The new proposed law retains present law and provides that if a report involves alleged sex trafficking, the provisions of proposed law also apply.
Proposed law provides that DCFS shall identify and assess all reports of alleged abuse and neglect involving a child known or suspected to be a victim of sex trafficking and coordinate with law enforcement, the juvenile justice system, other state agencies, and healthcare service providers to provide comprehensive services for children who are sex trafficking victims, regardless of whether there is alleged parental or caretaker culpability.
The proposed law provides for required actions by DCFS when a child has been identified as a victim of sex trafficking which include making referrals to needed services, conducting face-to-face visits and telephone contacts with the family, and educating the parents or other caretakers about possible high risk behaviors associated with sex trafficking victims.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 2.
Every morning now I say a quick prayer before I turn on the news, hoping that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has survived another day in this Shakespearean drama unfolding on the world stage. He's Putin's #1 target.
This is the first war I’ve seen where we are close up and in real time. No embedded correspondents needed. The personal impact of war is immediately available to everyone via the Internet.
I have seen a vacuum bomb being set off in Kharkiv. I have listened in on a conversation between a Ukrainian citizen and a Russian tank driver taking place on some road in rural Ukraine. I have watched employees at a beer factory
making Molotov cocktails. And I have heard a Ukrainian cyber specialist explain how they are hacking Russian websites. Just as a sampling.
I have listened to President Zelenskyy speak with the European Union, a plea to let Ukraine in their door.
While there are no players in this tragedy with clean hands, including the US and maybe especially the US, the Ukraine president has emerged as the valiant, inspiring David in the story. He’s Ukraine’s Churchill in the darkest hour, galvanizing his people and capturing the hearts of ignorant strangers like me around the world.
Zelenskyy has a law degree, according to the Internet info, but pursued a career in acting and as a comedian. He created a production company called Kvartal 95, and produced films, cartoons, and TV shows including a show called Servant of the People in which Zelenskyy himself played the role of the president of Ukraine.
From 2015 to 2019 the series was immensely popular and spawned a political party. Zelenskyy ran for Ukrainian president in 2019 as an outsider, a populist, an anti- establishment candidate, and an anti-corruption candidate. He won the election with 73% of the vote in the second round.
It’s been said that human beings are one of the only species that can kill its own members. The hypothesis is that we psychologically distance ourselves from the instinctual taboo of taking another’s life because we use weapons. The Internet has removed some of that distance.
Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin allegedly said "The death of one man is a tragedy, the death of millions is a statistic."
And even though I’m reminded of Jefferson‘s warning that the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of patriots, it’s impossible not to care about Zelenskyy's survival, and all those whose faces I've seen, those whose courage I've witnessed, and those whose pleas I have heard.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 9.
Rep. Newell's HB 41 rovides relative to race and national origin discrimination in education, employment, public accommodations, and housing options.
Present law provides that no person shall be refused admission into or be excluded from any public school in this state based on race, creed, color, disability as defined in present law, or national origin.
Proposed law retains present law and additionally prohibits discrimination in any form based on race, creed, color, disability as defined in present law, or national origin.
The proposed law adds that "race" and "national origin" shall include traits associated with race and national origin, including but not limited to skin color, facial characteristics, hair texture, natural hairstyles, and protective hairstyles.
Proposed law defines "natural hairstyles" and "protective hairstyles" to include but not be limited to afros, dreadlocks, twists, locs, cornrows braids, Bantu knots, and curls.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 3.
Alexis D. Young of Zachary has been reappointed to the Louisiana Rehabilitation Council. Young is the owner and clinical therapist for Therapeutic Wellness Solutions LLC. She will serve as a former recipient of vocational rehabilitation services. The Louisiana Rehabilitation Council listens to the concerns of those with disability issues.
Bryan L. Fontenot of Baton Rouge has been appointed to the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council. Fontenot is a business insurance producer for McGriff Insurance Services. Also, Cristina M. Faucheux of Zachary has been appointed to the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council. Faucheux is the vice president of Moreau Physical Therapy.
Claire A. Stevenson of Baton Rouge has been appointed to the Louisiana Health Works Commission. Stevenson is a legislative liaison for the Office of Governor John Bel Edwards. She will represent the Office of the Governor. The purpose of the Health Works Commission is to serve as a collaborative working group to integrate and coordinate resources relative to health care workforce development within various state departments and key organizations.
Jo'Quishia "Jo" Hilliard of Baker has been appointed to the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System. Hilliard is a registered nurse for Gifted Healthcare.
Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System is responsible for supervising and managing state colleges and universities that are not managed by a higher education board created specifically for such a purpose. The following universities are under the specific supervision and management of the board: Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Louisiana at Monroe and University of New Orleans.
Paula C. Rodriguez of Gonzales has been appointed to the Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs. Rodriguez is a video relay interpreter for Sorenson Communications. She will serve at-large.
The Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs was established by the Governor's Office to adequately educate, address and resolve issues relative to the disability community. The mission of the office is to promote, encourage and support citizens with disabilities.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 9.
HB 106 eliminates the death penalty as a possible punishment for the offenses of first degree murder, first degree rape, and treason.
Present law (R.S. 14:30) provides that any person convicted of the crime of first degree murder shall be punished by death or life imprisonment at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.
Present law (R.S. 14:42) provides that any person convicted of the crime of first degree rape shall be punished by life imprisonment at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. However, if the victim of the first degree rape was under the age of 13 years, the district attorney may seek the death penalty. Although this provision which allowed for the offender to be sentenced to death for first degree rape was declared to be unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case Kennedy v. Louisiana, 128 S.Ct. 2641 (June 25, 2008), this provision was never repealed from present law.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 3.
On Feb. 16. Gov. Edwards extended Louisiana's COVID public health emergency order to support Louisiana's response to the pandemic, but without any remaining required mitigation measures.
The Governor's Office, the Louisiana Department of Health and the CDC still recommend that all people wear masks when they are indoors in public or in a large outdoor crowd while all areas of the state are considered high transmission areas for the coronavirus.
While masks are not required statewide in Louisiana, there are still federal regulations requiring them in health care settings and on transit. In addition, local governments, school districts and businesses may choose to require masks as they see fit, based on the level of COVID in their communities.
The Governor's current order expires on March 16, 2022, though he may end it before that date. The original COVID public health emergency was signed on March 11, 2020 and has been extended and altered as the COVID situation in Louisiana has changed. The Governor's office is working with Cabinet officials to determine if allowing the order to expire would hinder Louisiana's response to COVID.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 9.
HB 53 would add the right of Louisiana citizens to accept or reject any form of health care to the Constitution of Louisiana.
The proposed constitutional amendment adds the right to autonomy with respect to healthcare decisions including palliative care, medical treatments, surgical procedures, vaccines, or any other forms of medicine.
Proposed constitutional amendment requires that any adverse treatment or denial of the right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.
Proposed constitutional amendment states that any person adversely affected by a violation of this right shall have standing to raise its illegality in the appropriate court.
The measure provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election to be held on Nov. 8, 2022.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 4.
WASHINGTON, DC – On February 23, Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation announced it is working to obtain more federal resources to address the needs of those impacted by Hurricanes Laura, Delta, Zeta and Ida. "We respectfully request swift action to make good on the promise of the down payment in the September Continuing Resolution and appropriate additional supplemental funding dollars for unmet needs in Louisiana."
According to the announcement, the three main asks of Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation:
1. Provide additional funding to those affected by 2020 Hurricanes Laura, Delta and Zeta. In September, $5 billion in disaster aid was included in response to the 2020 and 2021 disasters. So far, $600 million has been allocated for those impacted by Louisiana’s 2020 hurricanes. 2. Hurricane Ida victims are yet to receive any of the $5 billion from the September 2021 law, the delegation seeks to increase disaster aid to comply with updated damage assessments from this powerful storm.
3. Complementary hurricane protection, coastal restoration and flood control investments help to improve the safety and security of communities impacted by the 2020 and 2021 hurricanes. The delegation is working to include additional investment in key Corps of Engineers projects to prevent future hurricane damages.
The Congressional Delegation also asked for the previously approved hurricane recovery funding, included in the September government funding legislation, to be expedited as families continue to struggle across Louisiana – some still without housing, living in tents or lacking access to critical services.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 9.
Present law provides rights for victims of crimes.
The proposed law, SB 69 by Sen. Connick, retains present law and eases restrictions on eligibility and involvement in criminal justice processes. Proposed law removes requirement that a victim must report a crime within 72 hours in order to receive benefits available under present law, and expands eligibility to victims of additional crimes.
Proposed law removes requirement that the victim or designated family member must register with the La. Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice in order to receive services.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 4.
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has announced the appointment of Melinda “Mendy” Richard as assistant secretary for the Department's Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS). Richard most recently served as the deputy assistant secretary for the Bureau of Community Preparedness and Health Protection in the Office of Public Health (OPH). OAAS was formed within the Department of Health as a healthcare reform initiative.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 3. Source pages: 10.
Sen. Mills may support health care providers with his SB 59.
The current law provides for the Louisiana Medicaid managed care program and the payment of claims submitted by participating healthcare providers.
The proposed law retains present law and further provides that a Medicaid managed care organization or its contractor, assignee, or agent is prohibited from requiring any enrolled provider to be subject to prepayment review unless the requirement is
implemented directly by the La. Dept. of Health and in accordance with the provisions of the Medical Assistance Programs Integrity Law.
Proposed law provides that "prepayment review" means requiring a healthcare provider to provide medical record documentation in conjunction with, or after, the submission of a claim for payment for medical services rendered but before the claim has been adjudicated by the Medicaid managed care organization.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.