House Bill No. by Representative Amedee proposes the creation of a new crime in Louisiana law, specifically addressing the intentional exposure of individuals to a self-spreading pathogen. The bill defines a "self-spreading pathogen" as any engineered virus or bacteria, including recombinant, attenuated, or modified versions, as well as virus-like or bacteria-like particles capable of person-to-person transmission. Under this proposed law, it is illegal for any person to intentionally expose another to such pathogens without the victim's knowing and lawful consent.

The bill outlines penalties for those found guilty of this crime, which may include a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to ten years with or without hard labor, or both. This legislation aims to address public health concerns related to the intentional spread of engineered pathogens, thereby enhancing the state's criminal law framework in response to emerging biological threats.