Legislation Details:

UPDATE: 6/14/2023 - HB 291 was enacted. It was signed by Governor John Bel Edwards on 6/14/2023, effective date 8/1/2023. Act No. 367

UPDATE: 6/7/2023 - HB 291 was sent to the Governor John Bel Edwards for signature on 6/7/2023.

UPDATE: 6/6/2023 - The House passed the Senate amended HB 291 on 6/6/2023 by vote of 97 Yeas, 0 Nays. 

UPDATE: 6/4/2023 - HB 291 passed Senate 3rd Reading on 6/4/2023. It is scheduled for concurrence in the House for June 6, 2023 at 10 AM. 

UPDATE: 5/15/2023 - HB 291 passed to 3rd Reading and final passage in the Senate on 5/15/2023.

UPDATE: 5/11/2023 -  HB 291 was amended and passed by the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare on 5/10/2023. The adopted amendments primarily provide for physical contact (non-sexual) between patient and visitor, visits by clergy, and no vaccine requirement for visitors. The amendments do not change NVIC's position.

UPDATE: 5/4/2023 - HB 291 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare on Wednesday, 5/10/2023 at 10:00 a.m in the John J. Hainkel, Jr. Room. The agenda is here. Written testimony may be submitted by email to sh&[email protected]. It must be received by the committee secretary at least four hours prior to the meeting to be included in the record for this committee meeting. 

UPDATE: 5/1/2023 -  HB 291 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on Wednesday, 5/3/2023 at 11:00 am in the John J. Hainkel, Jr. Room. The agenda is here. Persons who do not feel comfortable giving testimony in person may submit a prepared statement in lieu of appearing before the committee. Statements may be emailed to sh&[email protected] and must be received by the committee secretary at least four hours prior to the meeting to be included in the record for this committee meeting.

UPDATE: 4/27/2023 -  HB 291 was referred to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on 4/27/2023. 

UPDATE: 4/25/2023 -  HB 291 passed third reading in the House on 4/25/2023 by a vote of 100-0.  The House engrossed version of the bill can be read here.  

UPDATE: 4/24/2023 - HB 291 passed second reading on 4/24/2023 as amended.

UPDATE: 4/20/2023 - HB 291 was passed by the  House Committee on Health and Welfare with amendments by a vote of 15-0 on 4/20/2023. The amendments only make clarifying changes and don't affect our position.

HB 291 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Committee on Health and Welfare at 9:00 AM in Committee Room 5.  See agenda here.   This bill is sponsored by Representative Owen. 

This bill requires hospitals and other medical facilities to develop policies and procedures to allow in-person visitation for any of their residents, clients, or patients.  The policies must include, among other things:

(2) Safety-related policies and procedures may not be more stringent than those established for the facility's staff and may not require visitors to submit proof of any vaccination or immunization.