Senate Bill No. 116 establishes the Office on Women's Health and Community Health within the Louisiana Department of Health. The bill amends existing law to include this office as part of the department's structure and outlines its responsibilities, which include improving women's health outcomes through policy, education, and evidence-based practices. The office will serve as a resource center for women's health data and strategies, and it will be supervised by an assistant secretary appointed by the governor. The bill also mandates the office to provide annual reports to the governor and legislature on priorities and areas for improvement in women's health.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the office will only provide services to individuals born as biological females and will focus on various health needs throughout a woman's life, including chronic conditions and access to healthcare. Importantly, the bill includes provisions that prohibit the office from promoting or recommending abortion, with exceptions only in cases where the abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother or in specific circumstances related to rape or other crimes. This legislation aims to consolidate efforts on women's health within the state while ensuring that public funds are not used to promote abortion services.

Statutes affected:
SB116 Original: 36:251(C)(1)
SB116 Engrossed: 36:251(C)(1)
SB116 Reengrossed: 36:251(C)(1)
SB116 Enrolled: 36:251(C)(1)
SB116 Act 676: 36:251(C)(1)