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LouisianaSB 4702026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

HEALTH CARE: Provides relative to pregnant women in custody. (gov sig) (EN INCREASE LF EX See Note)

Sponsored By: Beth Mizell (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Administration of Criminal JusticeJudiciary C

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Pregnancy tests offered to women entering custody

Louisiana state, parish, and municipal correctional facilities must offer pregnancy tests at intake to arrested women age 55 or younger. Women can accept or refuse the test. Facilities must record that choice and any test result. The Louisiana Department of Health must identify available funding sources, including nonprofit contributions or federal grants, to support testing.

Fewer restraints for pregnant people in custody

Louisiana state, parish, and municipal correctional facilities must limit restraints on pregnant and postpartum people. During labor or delivery, medical staff can order therapeutic restraints only for danger caused by a psychiatric or medical disorder. That danger must threaten the person, her child, her unborn child, or others. Restraints are also barred during pregnancy-related medical distress, transport for medical care, prenatal care or delivery, and postpartum recovery, except on compelling safety grounds. Waist restraints and shackles are banned for pregnant prisoners under all circumstances. Therapeutic restraints mean flex cuffs or soft restraints; metal handcuffs require explicit medical authorization under the narrow exception. Postpartum protection starts immediately after childbirth and lasts at least six weeks, longer when medically necessary.

Pregnant defendants get options with care requirements

Louisiana courts can consider pregnancy when choosing probation or a suspended sentence for defendants already eligible under existing law. Sentencing guidelines must give weight to pregnancy and suitable prenatal care, maternal health, or substance use treatment alternatives. Courts must weigh public safety, the offense, criminal history, and available local programs. They can require successful completion of approved prenatal care, pregnancy support, maternal health, or substance use treatment programs. Treatment can be residential or outpatient and include medically supervised detoxification when appropriate. Courts can also require recommended prenatal and postnatal care, parenting classes, life skills training, case management, and other lawful probation conditions. The Louisiana Department of Health must maintain a public and private program list and provide it on request. The law does not expand eligibility for probation or suspended sentences.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Beth Mizell

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Brach Jerad Myers

    Republican • Senate

  • Edward J. Price

    Democratic • Senate

  • Gerald Boudreaux

    Democratic • Senate

  • Heather Cloud

    Republican • Senate

  • Jeremy Stine

    Republican • Senate

  • Katrina R. Jackson-Andrews

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mandie Landry

    Democratic • House

  • Mark Abraham

    Republican • Senate

  • Michael "Big Mike" Fesi

    Republican • Senate

  • Regina Barrow

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tehmi Jahi Chassion

    Democratic • House

  • Valarie Hodges

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 139 • No: 0

House vote • 5/19/2026

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 93, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 93 • No: 0

House vote • 5/12/2026

Reported favorably

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/20/2026

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 36 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 520.

    5/29/2026Senate

  2. Effective date 5/29/2026.

    5/29/2026Senate

  3. Signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/25/2026House

  4. Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate.

    5/21/2026Senate

  5. Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/20/2026Senate

  6. Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 93, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

    5/19/2026House

  7. Received from the House without amendments.

    5/19/2026Senate

  8. Read by title, passed to 3rd reading.

    5/18/2026House

  9. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/19/2026.

    5/18/2026House

  10. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

    5/13/2026House

  11. Reported favorably (10-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/12/2026House

  12. Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

    4/22/2026House

  13. Received in the House from the Senate, read by title, lies over under the rules.

    4/21/2026House

  14. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    4/20/2026Senate

  15. Read by title. Committee amendments read and adopted. Ordered engrossed and passed to third reading and final passage.

    4/15/2026Senate

  16. Reported with amendments.

    4/14/2026Senate

  17. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.

    4/1/2026Senate

  18. Introduced in the Senate. Read by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

    3/31/2026Senate

Bill Text

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