HLS 22RS-946 ORIGINAL
2022 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 596
BY REPRESENTATIVE AMEDEE
HEALTH CARE: (Constitutional Amendment) Provides for rights of individuals to bodily
autonomy and to make healthcare decisions
1 A JOINT RESOLUTION
2Proposing to add Article I, Section 28 of the Constitution of Louisiana, to provide that
3 Louisiana citizens have the right to bodily autonomy; to provide for submission of
4 the proposed amendment to the electors; and to provide for related matters.
5 Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members
6elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state of
7Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to
8amend Article I, Section 28 of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows:
9 §28. Right to Bodily Autonomy
10 Section 28. Notwithstanding any provision of law or this Constitution to the
11 contrary, each individual shall have the right to bodily autonomy, to make his own
12 healthcare decisions, and to be free to accept or refuse any health service or medical
13 testing, medical intervention, medical treatment, or vaccine based on his own
14 religious, philosophical, or personal beliefs. This Article shall not be construed to
15 conflict with Article I, Section 20.1 of the Constitution of Louisiana.
16 Section 2. Be it further resolved that the provision of the enactment contained in this
17Joint Resolution shall become effective January 1, 2023.
18 Section 3. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted
19to the electors of the state of Louisiana at the statewide election to be held on November 8,
202022.
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 22RS-946 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 596
1 Section 4. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at the election,
2there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted
3to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as
4follows:
5 Do you support an amendment to provide that Louisiana citizens have the
6 right to accept or reject any form of medical treatment? (Effective January
7 1, 2023) (Adds Article I, Section 28)
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)]
HB 596 Original 2022 Regular Session Amedee
Abstract: Adds the right of Louisiana citizens to bodily autonomy.
Proposed constitutional amendment adds the right to autonomy with respect to healthcare
decisions.
Proposed constitutional amendment shall not be construed to conflict with Article I, Section
20.1 of the Constitution of Louisiana.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election
to be held November 8, 2022.
Effective Jan. 1, 2023.
(Adds Const. Art. I, §28)
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.