Senate OKs bill requiring pregnancy‑resource signage in student health centers; privacy questions raised
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Summary
Senate passed SB310, which requires approved signage in school and campus health centers linking students to Louisiana Department of Health resources for pregnant people; senators questioned whether nonprofit resource centers would appear on LDH pages and whether privacy protections were adequate. The bill passed 31–7.
The Senate voted to pass Senate Bill 310 on April 7, a measure that would require signage in student health centers on K‑12 and postsecondary campuses directing pregnant students to resources maintained by the Louisiana Department of Health.
Senator Clapp, the bill sponsor, said the measure simply connects students with state‑funded supports already in place: “This bill just aims to connect students that can be facing unexpected pregnancy, with the help that they need most provided through the Department of Health and Hospitals,” he said, noting LDH pages already list Medicaid, WIC and related services.
During floor questions, senators raised privacy and oversight concerns. Senator Plessis asked whether designated nonprofit pregnancy resource centers would be listed on the LDH site and whether such nonprofits would be subject to state regulation. “My concern is whether or not these nonprofit organizations are gonna be subject to state regulation, state oversight,” Plessis said. Senator Jenkins pressed whether student communications at health centers would be protected by HIPAA; the sponsor clarified the bill only mandates a sign and an LDH link and does not require communication between the student and health center staff.
Senator Cloud and others said the bill is intended to link students to programs the state already funds and noted the inclusion of designated nonprofits is meant to avoid a fiscal note by enabling donors to fund sign production. After debate and clarification, the Senate passed the bill 31 yays and 7 nays.
