HLS 14RS-502 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 240
BY REPRESENTATIVE SMITH
HEALTH CARE: (Constitutional Amendment) Requires the state to provide to a legal
resident employed for the previous calendar year for at least 1,000 hours and whose
income is below 100% of the federal poverty level the opportunity to participate in
a state program providing health insurance with essential benefits
A JOINT RESOLUTION1
Proposing to add Article I, Section 28 of the Constitution of Louisiana, relative to health2
insurance; to require the state to provide the opportunity for certain residents to3
receive health insurance; to provide for submission of the proposed amendment to4
the electors; and to provide for related matters.5
Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members6
elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state of7
Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to add8
Article I, Section 28 of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows:9
§28. Health Insurance10
Section 28. Every person who is a legal resident of this state, was employed11
for the previous calendar year for at least one thousand hours, and whose income is12
below one hundred percent of the federal poverty level shall be provided the13
opportunity by the state to participate in a state program that provides health14
insurance with essential health benefits, as provided by federal law, with15
qualifications for such health insurance verified on an annual basis.16
Section 2. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted17
to the electors of the state of Louisiana at the statewide election to be held on November 4,18
2014.19 HLS 14RS-502 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 240
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Section 3. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at the election,1
there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted2
to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as3
follows:4
Do you support an amendment to provide every person who is a legal5
resident of this state, was employed for the previous calendar year for at least6
one thousand hours, and whose income is below one hundred percent of the7
federal poverty level shall be provided the opportunity by the state to8
participate in a state program that provides health insurance with essential9
health benefits, as provided by federal law, with qualifications for such10
health insurance verified on an annual basis? (Adds Article I, Section 28)11
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Smith HB No. 240
Abstract: Requires the state to provide to a legal resident employed for the previous
calendar year for at least 1,000 hours and whose income is below 100% of the
federal poverty level the opportunity to participate in a state program providing
health insurance with essential benefits.
Proposed constitutional amendment would require that every person who is a legal resident
of this state, was employed for the previous calendar year for at least 1,000 hours, and whose
income is below 100 % of the federal poverty level be provided the opportunity by the state
to participate in a state program providing health insurance with essential health benefits,
as provided by federal law, with qualifications for such health insurance verified on an
annual basis.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election
to be held Nov. 4, 2014.
(Adds Const. Art. I, §28)