RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 319 (HB 449) 2018 Regular Session Edmonds
New law provides that it may be referred to as the "Adoption Option Act".
Existing law requires the La. Dept. of Health (LDH) to publish an abortion alternatives and
informed consent website. Provides for information to be featured on the website including
information on adoption.
New law retains existing law and stipulates that the abortion alternatives and informed
consent website shall feature all of the following:
(1)Information on adoption agencies that are not affiliated with an abortion provider.
(2)Information to aid pregnant women seeking to confidentially explore the option of
placing her child for adoption, and indicating whether the adoption agency allows the
woman to choose the adoptive parents.
New law requires that the online adoption-related information required by new law be
featured on a website created and maintained by the Department of Children and Family
Services (DCFS), linked on the LDH website, and accessible by redirecting from the domain
name "AdoptionOption.La.Gov".
Existing law requires LDH to publish printed materials which abortion providers are required
to give to a woman prior to an abortion in order for consent to the abortion to be deemed
voluntary and informed.
New law retains existing law and adds thereto a requirement that such materials include the
adoption-related information provided on the abortion alternatives and informed consent
website, along with a list of entities that offer free and confidential counseling to a woman
considering placing her child for adoption. Stipulates that such list shall not include any
facility that counsels, refers, performs, induces, prescribes, or provides any means for
abortion.
New law creates a task force within LDH to assist the secretary of the department in the
preparation of the printed and Internet materials provided for in existing law and new law,
and to develop public education initiatives to publicize such information on abortion
alternatives. Provides that the task force shall be composed of the following members:
(1)Not more than two licensed clinical social workers licensed by the La. State Board
of Social Work Examiners, each of whom shall have experience in assisting birth
mothers in navigating the adoption process, appointed by the governor.
(2)Not more than two La. residents who provide pre-abortion or post-abortion
counseling in association with a nonprofit organization that does not counsel for or
provide abortion, appointed by the governor.
(3)Not more than two attorneys licensed in La. and employed by nonprofit organizations
who specialize in advocacy for women at risk of being coerced into abortion, or who
specialize in navigating the adoption process, appointed by the governor.
(4)Not more than two La. residents who are employed by public or private nonprofit
adoption agencies, appointed by the governor.
(5)Not more than two executive directors of La. nonprofit organizations that promote
adoption as an alternative to abortion, or their designees.
(6)Two members of the Senate appointed by the president.
(7)Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker.
(8)The secretary of LDH or his designee, who shall serve as a co-chairperson of the task
force. (9)The secretary of DCFS or his designee, who shall serve as a co-chairperson of the
task force.
New law requires LDH to prepare and make publicly available the printed and Internet
materials provided for in existing law and new law on or before April 8, 2019.
Effective August 1, 2018.
(Amends R.S. 40:1061.17(C)(1)(e) and (D)(intro. para.) and (2); Adds R.S. 40:1061.17.1)