HLS 23RS-2120 ORIGINAL 2023 Regular Session HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 109 BY REPRESENTATIVE MARCELLE SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes May 1, 2023, as Louisiana Reproductive Justice Day 1 A RESOLUTION 2To recognize Monday, May 1, 2023, as Louisiana Reproductive Justice Day. 3 WHEREAS, the high rates of maternal mortality among black women span across 4income levels, education levels, and socioeconomic status; and 5 WHEREAS, a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 6(CDC) indicates that in 2021, the U.S. had one of the worst rates of maternal mortality in our 7nation's history, a 40% increase from 2020; and 8 WHEREAS, reproductive justice is a human right to control our bodies, our 9sexuality, our gender, our work, and our reproduction; and 10 WHEREAS, that right can only be achieved when all women and girls have the 11complete economic, social, and political power and resources to make healthy decisions 12about their bodies, families, and communities in all areas of their lives; and 13 WHEREAS, this framework was created for black women by black women; and 14 WHEREAS, at the core of reproductive justice is the belief that all women and 15birthing people have the right to have children, the right to not have children, and the right 16to nurture their children in a safe and healthy environment; and 17 WHEREAS, this approaches a policy issue from a human rights perspective that 18incorporates the intersections of race, gender, class, sexual orientation, and gender identity 19with the situational impacts of economics, politics, and culture that make up the lived 20experiences of black women in Louisiana; and Page 1 of 2 HLS 23RS-2120 ORIGINAL HR NO. 109 1 WHEREAS, the intersectional agenda brings transformational change where every 2person has the economic, social, cultural, and political power to make decisions about their 3sexuality, health, and families; and 4 WHEREAS, reproductive rights includes reproductive healthcare services, and 5maternal health programming that is critical to improving and closing the racial gap in 6maternal health. 7 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the 8Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize Monday, May 1, 2023, as Louisiana 9Reproductive Justice Day. 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)] HR 109 Original 2023 Regular Session Marcelle Recognizes May 1, 2023, as La. Reproductive Justice Day. Page 2 of 2