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Committee backs 'Signs of Hope' bill to place pregnancy-resource signage in schools, sparking debate over prevention content
Summary
SB 310 would require visible signage and a QR code in schools and student health centers directing pregnant students to Department of Health resources; supporters said it increases resource visibility while opponents urged inclusion of pregnancy-prevention or family-planning information and raised concerns about which providers might be referenced.
The Senate Education Committee reported SB 310 (the “Signs of Hope” signage bill) favorably after testimony and questions about the content and destination of the signage’s resource links.
Senator Cloud, the bill sponsor, said the measure requires student health centers, public high schools and postsecondary institutions to display signage reading “Pregnant. Help is available for you and your baby” with a QR code linking to Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) resources, including WIC, nurse-family partnership and other state-funded supports. The sponsor emphasized that the signs are intended to increase visibility of resources and that funding for signs can come from private donations at no cost to the state.
Ben Clapper and Erica Encina (both representing Louisiana Right to Life) spoke in support and described the design and purpose, saying the signs could connect students quickly to pregnancy-related counseling and services. Erica Encina shared a testimonial about a young woman helped by supportive school and community resources.
Several committee members and witnesses raised concerns about whether the signage might direct students only to crisis-pregnancy centers rather than licensed clinical providers, and whether the signage should include pregnancy-prevention or family-planning information. Melissa Flournoy, board chair of 10000 Women Louisiana, urged adding an option on signs that explicitly directs people seeking prevention information to family-planning resources. Committee members asked LDH and the sponsor to coordinate to ensure the signage’s link points to state-vetted resources; sponsor and supporters said LDH resources and links would be used and agreed to follow up.
After brief floor-style discussion and a technical amendment adoption earlier in the hearing, the committee moved SB 310 favorably.
What’s next: Committee asked staff and the sponsor to coordinate with LDH on the sign content and linked resources; SB 310 was reported favorable and will continue through legislative steps.
