April 22, 2022

Dear Friends,

Coach Kennedy was a high school football coach who was fired from his job for praying on the 50-yard line after games. In support of Coach Kennedy, LFF signed an amicus brief to the US Supreme Court in defense of religious freedom case to be heard this Monday.

On Sunday, April 24, people from around the nation will be gathering on the 50-yard line to pray for Coach Kennedy and religious freedom ahead of the hearing. No matter where you are on Sunday, if you could please join in praying for Coach Kennedy and his case on Sunday, and exhort your neighbors to join, too! Use the hashtag #Pray50 online.

Coach Kennedy and our country need your prayers, and we ask that you join us this Sunday as we bring this case before the Lord!

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Louisiana Capitol Update  

The Session is nearing the halfway point and legislators are hurrying to get their bills through the process. We have been monitoring bills in both the House and the Senate.   

LFF top bills of the Session advance:

 HB 142 by Rep. Schlegel  - Provides for a private right of action against commercial entities who publish or distribute information harmful to minors on the Internet without placing reasonable age verification methods.  PASSED HOUSE CIVIL LAW (onto House floor 04/27/22)

 SB 44 by Sen. Beth Mizell – Fairness in Women’s Sports Act PASSED THE SENATE 

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Other LFF Bills advance:

 HB 37 by Rep. McCormick - Removes permit to conceal carry handgun.  PASSED HOUSE

 HB 33 by Rep. Devillier – Educational Savings Accounts allow state funds allocated to attend public school to follow child to school of the parents choice. (conditions) PASSED THE HOUSE

 HB 35 by Rep. Farnum – Ensure integrity of the rolls of registered voters. PASSED THE HOUSE

 SB 92 by Sen. Cathey - Forbids discrimination on basis of private medical information. PASSED SENATE LABOR

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Some bad ideas move forward

❌ HB 135, HB 190, HB 425, HB 768  - Expands medical marijuana PASSED H. HEALTH/WELFARE

❌ HCR 64 by Rep. Freeman – A pro-abortion resolution attacking crisis pregnancy centers which are part of the Louisiana Alternatives to Abortion program PASSED HOUSE HEALTH/WELFARE

❌ SB 320 by Sen. Henry - Suspends employment and salary requirements for New Orleans land based casino until June, 2024 PASSED THE SENATE 

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Coming up next week:

The pro-life movement will be highlighted with the ProLife Day at the Capitol on Monday.  Everyone is invited to join us to celebrate life and to encourage lawmakers to pass HB 459 by Rep. Chuck Owen (end of life protections) and SB 388 by Sen. Sharon Hewitt, which will make mail-order abortions a felony. 

On Tuesday, the House will vote on HB 640 which requires vaccination manufacturers to reveal whether or not abortion-derived fetal cells were used in the production of their products. They will also vote on Rep. Schlegel’s HB 142 protecting children from online pornography.

On Thursday, the House will vote on the pro-abortion resolution, HCR 64, which targets and maligns Louisiana's wonderful crisis pregnancy centers.

You can always find out the latest on important bills we are watching by going to our website and clicking on “Bills To Watch.”

April 25-30 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and Louisiana Family Forum has joined with Right On Crime and other organizations to hold a Day of Prayer Service on April 27 to commemorate the week.

“Establishing a day of prayer acknowledges Louisiana’s faith community and the power of prayer that is critical to providing support for victims of crime,” said Scott Peyton, Right On Crime Louisiana Director and former probation officer. “This Day of Prayer Service is something we hope other communities and faith leaders will observe in honor of the victims of crime in their own communities. At the same time, it’s imperative we continue to provide and expand the resources for all crime victims.”

To commemorate a National Day of Prayer, Louisiana State Rep. Rick Edmonds will be introducing a resolution to the State House on April 27. 

Louisiana Family Forum stands with the victims of crimes and encourages all families affected by crime to join us in prayer.

The event will be held at Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Church in Baton Rouge, LA on Wednesday the 27^th from 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM. You can register here.

Friends, religious liberty, the lives of the unborn, and Christian values continue to be attacked daily. This world needs the light of Jesus to penetrate the darkness and courageous men and women to speak truth and share the Gospel message of hope. Please pray for victims of crime, for lawmakers in Louisiana to make wise choices and for the US Supreme Court justices as they hear arguments for Coach Kennedy’s case.

In His Service,

Gene Mills
President
Louisiana Family Forum

P.S. Stay up to date with LFF’s Bills to Watch.