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 629 Original 2025 Regular Session Galle
Abstract: Requires a patient's informed consent before administering a medical intervention.
Proposed law provides that proposed law shall be known and may be cited as the "Medical Freedom
and Informed Consent Act."
Proposed law provides that the purpose of proposed law is to affirm the right that individuals have
to voluntary, informed consent for all medical interventions and establish protections against
coercion, discrimination, and violation of this right.
Proposed law defines "business entity", "capacity", "healthcare provider", "informed consent",
"medical intervention", and "vaccine information statement".
Proposed law requires a healthcare provider to obtain informed consent from the patient or a person
authorized to give informed consent in accordance with present law (R.S. 40:1159.4) before
administering any medical intervention, except in cases of medical emergency where immediate
action is necessary to prevent serious harm or loss of life as defined in present law (R.S. 40:1159.5).
Proposed law requires a healthcare provider, before administering a vaccination, to provide the
patient or parent or legal guardian of the patient with the Vaccine Information Statement (VIS).
Proposed law requires a healthcare provider to document receipt and acknowledgment of the VIS
and informed consent in the patient's medical record.
Proposed law provides that a person shall not face loss of employment, benefits, services, or other
punitive actions for refusing a medical intervention.
Proposed law prohibits an employers and business entities, whether public or private, from requiring
medical interventions as a condition of employment, enrollment, admission, or service.
Proposed law prohibits a healthcare provider from requiring, compelling or coercing a person to
receive a vaccination as a condition to be a patient or to receive a medical intervention, treatment
or medical procedure, including but not limited to cancer treatment, transfusion or organ transplant.
Proposed law clarifies that a healthcare provider, who advises or recommends a healthcare service,
shall not be considered to have coerced or compelled an individual into obtaining the service based
solely on that advice or recommendation. Proposed law provides that a healthcare provider who violates the provisions of proposed law shall
be liable for statutory damages of not less than $5,000 per violation, in addition to any other
remedies available under law.
Proposed law provides that the prevailing party in an action brought for any violation of the
provisions of proposed law shall have the right to seek civil remedies, including damages, attorney
fees and injunctive relief.
Proposed law requires the attorney general to establish a reporting system to document and
investigate violations.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 40:1162.1-1162.6)