HLS 25RS-177 ORIGINAL
2025 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 525
BY REPRESENTATIVE WALTERS
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
HEALTH SERVICES: Creates the Uterine Fibroids Commission
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 36:259(B)(22) and R.S. 40:1104, relative to the creation of the Uterine
3 Fibroids Commission; to provide for membership of the commission; to provide for
4 functions of commission; to provide for organization of the commission; to require
5 an annual report; and to provide for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 36:259(B)(22) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 §259. Transfer of agencies and functions to Louisiana Department of Health
9 * * *
10 B. The following agencies are placed within the Louisiana Department of
11 Health and shall exercise and perform their powers, duties, functions, and
12 responsibilities as otherwise provided by law:
13 * * *
14 (22) Uterine Fibroids Commission.
15 * * *
16 Section 2. R.S. 40:1104 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
17 §1104. Uterine Fibroids Commission
18 A. There is hereby established within the Louisiana Department of Health,
19 office on women's health and community health, the Uterine Fibroids Commission.
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1 B. The commission shall be comprised of twelve members which shall
2 include:
3 (1) One member from the Louisiana Nursing Association.
4 (2) One member from the Louisiana Primary Care Association.
5 (3) One member from the Christus Health System.
6 (4) One member from the Southern University and Agricultural and
7 Mechanical College School of Nursing.
8 (5) One member from the Tulane University School of Public Health.
9 (6) One member from the Our Lady of the Lake Health System.
10 (7) One member from the Louisiana Hospital Association.
11 (8) Two members who are individuals living with uterine fibroids, polycystic
12 ovary syndrome, or endometriosis.
13 (9) One member from the Louisiana House of Representatives.
14 (10) One member from the Louisiana Senate.
15 (11) One member who is the executive director of the governor's office on
16 women's policy.
17 C.(1) The members listed in Paragraphs (B)(1) through (B)(7) of this Section
18 shall be appointed by the governor from a list of qualified candidates nominated by
19 the respective organizations.
20 (2) The members listed in Paragraph (B)(8) shall be appointed by the
21 governor from a list of self-identified individuals interested in serving on the
22 commission.
23 ( 3) The members listed in Paragraph (B)(9) and (B)(10) of this Section shall
24 be appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the
25 Senate, respectively.
26 D. Each member shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
27 E.(1) The commission shall adopt rules and regulations to provide for the
28 governance of the commission. Such rules and regulations shall include but not be
29 limited to procedures and ground for the removal of any commission member.
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HB NO. 525
1 (2) The term of an appointee shall be four years.
2 (3) Procedures for filling a vacancy created by the removal, resignation, or
3 death of any commission member prior to the end of the commission member's term
4 shall follow those used for initial appointments.
5 F. Each commission member shall serve without compensation. Legislators
6 shall receive the same per diem and travel reimbursement for attending a meeting of
7 the commission as is normally provided for members of the legislature.
8 Nonlegislative commission members may receive reimbursement for expenses in
9 accordance with the guidelines of the entity they represent.
10 G. The chairman shall be elected by the commission for a term to be
11 determined by the commission.
12 H. The domicile of the commission shall be Baton Rouge.
13 I. The commission shall hold quarterly public meetings unless decided by
14 a vote of the commission or by order of the chairman.
15 J. The number of commission members necessary to constitute a quorum for
16 the transaction of business shall be one half of the entire membership of the
17 commission. A majority vote of the commission members constituting a quorum
18 shall be necessary for any action taken by the commission.
19 K. The Louisiana Department of Health shall provide administrative
20 assistance and serve as staff for the commission.
21 L. The functions of the commission shall be to:
22 (1) Evaluate functions and activities of existing groups focused on uterine
23 fibroids and other related conditions to collaborate with and engage stakeholders.
24 (2) Support and contextualize reporting on uterine fibroids and other related
25 conditions.
26 (3) Serve as an advisory body to the governor and the Louisiana Department
27 of Health on matters relating to uterine fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome, and
28 endometriosis.
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HB NO. 525
1 (4) Research and review all state regulations, guidelines, policies, and
2 procedures relative to prevention, treatment, and care of women living with uterine
3 fibroids and other related conditions and, when appropriate, make recommendations
4 to the governor, the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, and the
5 legislature.
6 (5) Provide a forum for an annual public hearing on matters relating to
7 uterine fibroids and other related conditions and provide for other public comment
8 and peer review on federal and state-funded programs related to uterine fibroids and
9 other related conditions.
10 (6) Make recommendations on policy to ensure that the state establishes
11 public health monitoring, advances research, and provides solutions for women
12 battling uterine fibroids and other related conditions.
13 M. The commission shall submit an annual written report to the Senate and
14 House committees on health and welfare at least sixty days prior to each regular
15 session. The report shall include a summary of the data relevant to the functions set
16 forth in Subsection L of this Section.
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 525 Original 2025 Regular Session Walters
Abstract: Creates the Uterine Fibroids Commission.
Proposed law establishes the 12-member Uterine Fibroids Commission.
Proposed law provides that all members except the member from the House of
Representatives, the member from the Senate, and the executive director of the governor's
office on women's policy shall be appointed by the governor.
Proposed law states that the commission shall adopt rules and regulations to provide for
governance of the commission.
Proposed law establishes that the term of each member is four years.
Proposed law provides that the members of the commission serve without compensation
except that legislative members receive per diem and travel reimbursements customary for
attending a meeting, and nonlegislative members may receive reimbursement for expenses
in accordance with the guidelines of the entity they represent.
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HB NO. 525
Proposed law states that the chairman is elected by the members for a term to be determined
by the members.
Proposed law provides that the domicile of the commission shall be Baton Rouge.
Proposed law states that the commission shall meet quarterly unless the commission, by a
majority vote of the members, decides on a different schedule for meetings.
Proposed law provides that half of the members shall constitute a quorum.
Proposed law provides that the La. Dept. of Health shall provide administrative staff to and
serve as staff for the commission.
Proposed law states that the purpose of the commission is to collaborate with and support
stakeholders to provide education and awareness of uterine fibroids, polycystic ovary
syndrome, and endometriosis and recommend policies to battle such conditions.
Proposed law directs the commission to submit an annual written report to the Senate and
House committees on health and welfare at least 60 days prior to each regular session.
(Adds R.S. 36:259(B)(22) and R.S. 40:1104)
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