2008 Legislative Session


Updated: Thursday, June 5th

"Backing Cures, Banning Cloning" Package Passes Senate!Cloning: No Business in LA

On Tuesday, June 3rd, the Senate passed HB 370, the ban on the public funding of human cloning, by a margin of 35-0! This followed another unanimous vote a few days earlier where HB 861, the Umbilical Cord Blood Education Act, passed the Senate floor. Both bills will now await the Governor's signature before they become law.

These bills together, known as the "Backing Cures, Banning Cloning" Package, sends a clear message that, while we are moving ahead on finding cures for diseases, there is no room for unethical research in Louisiana. The destructive practice of human cloning has no place in the great pro-life state of Louisiana, and our legislature has made sure of it.

All pro-life people of Louisiana should be very pleased with this great success!

 

From May 22nd, 2008

Cloning Ban Passes Senate Committee!

On May 21st, the Senate Health & Welfare Committee passed HB 370. HBCommittee Hearing 370, which effectively bans human cloning in LA by preventing state and federal funding of human cloning in LA, now moves to the floor of the Senate. No date has been set. Our message is clear now: Pass HB 370 without amendments!

Benjamin Clapper, Director of LARTL, Presents Over 14,000 Petitions to Senate Committee>>>

Thank you for contacting the committee members and for signing the petition. After the Committee Hearing, one Senator, who received their petitions the previous day, stated, "I looked through those petitions last night. I knew plenty of those people. Some even used to work for me.".

Again, thank you! The more than 14,000 petitions helped tip the scale to life.

 

Don't know your Senator? Find out who they are and how to contact them here!

Legislative Overview:

HB 861 Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Act

  • Authored by Rep. Walker Hines (D-New Orleans)
  • Passed House Floor by 101-0 Margin
  • Passed Senate Floor by 33-0
  • Awaiting Governor's Signature
  • Text of Bill

HB 370 Human Cloning Funding Ban

HB 370 Image

  • Authored by Rep. Cameron Henry (R-Jefferson)
  • Passed House Floor by 90-9 Margin
  • Passed Senate Floor by 35-0 Margin
  • Text of Bill

Within HB 1: Ethical Stem Cell Research Fund

  • Rep. Bodi White
  • Allocates money for ethical stem cell research with umiblical cord and placenta tissue.
  • No progress to date.

SB 738 Cloning and Human/Animal Hybrid Ban

  • Authored by Sen. Morrish (R-Jennings); Co-authored by Senators Broome, Michot, and Martiny
  • Voluntarily Deferred in Favor of HB 370.

 

The Louisiana Legislature will begin its General Legislative Session Monday, March 31st 2008.

  • 2008 Regular Legislative Session
    • Convenes on Monday, March 31, 2008
    • Final Adjournment no later than 6:00 pm on Monday, June 23, 2008.