April 21, 2023

Friends,

Capitol Update:

The pace of the 2023 Legislative session has accelerated. Several LFF major bills moved forward:  

✅HB 5 - By Rep. Frieman - Grants pregnancy expenses to be paid by father. PASSED HOUSE CIVIL LAW

✅HB 77  - By Rep. Schlegel - Porn Age Verification Enforcement Act - Makes commercial entities accountable to AG when material harmful to minors is not age-verified. PASSED HOUSE 101-1

✅SB 63 - By Sen. Mizell - Constitutional amendment recognizes that freedom to worship as a fundamental right deserving the utmost protection from govt. interference. PASSED SEN. JUD. A

❌SB 157 By Sen. Foil - Allows purchasing lottery tickets via internet. PASSED SEN. JUD. B  

✅SB 162 By Sen. McMath - Prevents social media access w/o parent consent. PASSED COMMERCE

✅HB 291 - By Rep. Chuck Owen - "No Patient Left Alone Law" establishes min. in-person visits at healthcare facilities. PASSED HOUSE HEALTH AND WELFARE W/O OBJECTION

❌HB 564 By Rep. Schexnayder - Allows sports betting on horse races PASSED THE HOUSE

?HB 605 By Rep. Schexnayder - Provides relative to the regulation of consumable hemp products. PASSED HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Next week, the Senate debates protecting churches from government shutdown during emergencies (SB 63) and the House debates “No Patient Left Alone” (HB 291) at hospitals and nursing homes during government shutdowns. The Senate Education committee considers protecting children from sexually-explicit material in the public library (SB 7).  House Committees will consider decriminalizing marijuana (HB  24), school choice (HB 9 and HB 98), and protecting children in public schools by restricting the use of biologically incorrect pronouns and restricting school staff from discussing sexual topics with the children (HB 81 and HB 466).

The House Criminal Justice committee will consider eliminating the death penalty (HB 228) for convicted murderers and rapists while other pending bills to be heard later in the session would allow abortion for preborn babies who were conceived in rape or incest (HB 346 and HB 549). These efforts are supported by Governor John Bel Edwards.

Another impactful week for Team LFF. Pray for Louisiana legislators; important votes abound!

Follow LFF Bills to Watch here

It was such an honor to host a standing room only crowd at LFF & La Baptist's Legislative Briefing Tuesday at the Capitol Welcome Center!

What a moment! We heard from virtually all of the candidates for governor, hosted dozens of legislators, had the opportunity to network with like-minded influencers from throughout Louisiana and focused on the opportunities and threats making their way through the legislative process. Finally, we shared a fresh Gulf seafood lunch to crown this incredible day.

Special thanks goes to: The Louisiana Seafood Association, LSU Chi-Alpha for sound and video, First New Testament for tables and chairs, Dr. Will Hall & Louisiana Baptists for co-sponsoring, La Right to Life for the RV and Dustin Bertrand for his inspiring true life "survival” story!

And finally, thanks to Moon Griffon, the voice of Louisiana, who broadcast live from the Welcome Center interviewing yours truly as well as state officials and the up and coming, and, as always, was a hoot! 

Check out Moon here: http://moongriffon.com/

The United Nations released a report stating, “Sexual conduct involving persons below the... prescribed minimum age of consent to sex may be consensual in fact, if not in law.” 

The Daily Signal charges that the UN is saying children are capable of consenting to sex with adults! 

Principle 16 of the report says:

The enforcement of criminal law should reflect the rights and capacity of persons under 18 years of age to make decisions about engaging in consensual sexual conduct and their right to be heard in matters concerning them. Pursuant to their evolving capacities and progressive autonomy, persons under 18 years of age should participate in decisions affecting them, with due regard to their age, maturity, and best interests, and with specific attention to non-discrimination guarantees.

The United States funds 22% of the UN budget. Maybe there is a better investment for those public funds! What say you? Time to rethink tax dollars chasing sexual politics at the UN?

Friends, after our success in committee and at the Legislative Briefing this past Tuesday, Team LFF is rejuvenated and revitalized for the 2023 Legislative Session!

Please keep Louisiana Family Forum in your prayers, that we succeed in advancing just legislation, stopping the dangerous and making our state favorable for faith, family & freedom.

In His Service,

Gene Mills
President
Louisiana Family Forum

P.S. Please join me in celebrating the National Day of Prayer!