Struck = removed from the bill ·
added = the amendment's new text.
ENROLLEDHCAHB944 4465 1694 HOUSE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS Regular Session HOUSEAmendments BILLproposed NO.byHouse Committee on Health and Welfare to Original House Bill No.
944 BYby REPRESENTATIVESRepresentative HILFERTY,Hilferty BILLINGS,AMENDMENT BOYD,NO. CARRIER, CHASSION, DOMANGUE, EDMONSTON, CHANCE HENRY, LAFLEUR, LYONS, SAWYER, AND SCHLEGEL AND SENATORS BARROW, BOUDREAUX, CARTER, CONNICK, FOIL, HENRY, JACKSON-ANDREWS, MIZELL, AND PRESSLY AN ACT ToenactR.S.46:2527,relativetothecreationoftheWomen'sHealthConsortiumwithinthe Louisiana Department of Health;
to1 provideOn forpage the1, membershipdelete ofline the2 consortium;in its entirety and insert "To enact R.S.
to36:259(B)(23) provideand forR.S. the functions of the consortium;
to46:2526, providerelative forto the organizationcreation of the consortium;Women's Health Consortium within the" AMENDMENT NO.
to2 requireOn apage report;1, between lines 6 and 7, insert the following:
to"Section provide1. for an effective date;
to provide for a termination date;
and to provide for related matters.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
Section 1.
46:252736:259(B)(23) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
§2527.§259.
Women'sTransfer of agencies and functions to Louisiana Department of Health Consortium* A.* * B.
ThereThe isfollowing herebyestablishedagencies are placed within the Louisiana Department of Health,Health officeand onshall women'sexercise healthand perform their powers, duties, functions, and communityresponsibilities health,as theotherwise Women'sprovided Healthby Consortium.law:
B.* * * (23) Women's Health Consortium (R.S.
The46:2526). consortium shall be comprised of the following members:
(1)* One* member*" whoAMENDMENT isNO. the surgeon general or his designee.
(2)3 OneOn memberpage who1, isline the7, executivechange director"Section of1. the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners or his designee.
(3)R.S. One member from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center specializingintheareasofwomen'shealthappointedbytheexecutivedirectorofthe Pennington Biomedical Research Center.
(4)40:1122" Oneto member"Section from2. the Tulane School of Medicine specializing in the areas of women's health appointed by the dean of the Tulane School of Medicine.
PageR.S. 1 of 7 CODING:
46:2526" AMENDMENT NO.
4 On page 1, line 8, change "§1122." to "§2526." AMENDMENT NO.
5 On page 2, line 12, after "the" and before "director" insert "executive" AMENDMENT NO.
6 On page 2, line 20, change "E." to "C." AMENDMENT NO.
7 On page 2, line 24, after "University" insert "of Louisiana" AMENDMENT NO.
8 On page 2, line 25, after "University" insert "of Louisiana" AMENDMENT NO.
9 On page 3, line 4, change "Lake." to "Lake Health." AMENDMENT NO.
10 On page 3, line 6, after "the" and before "Louisiana" insert "the" Page 1 of 3 CODING:
HBHCAHB944 4465 1694 AMENDMENT NO.
94411 ENROLLEDOn (5)page OnememberfromtheLouisiana3, Houseline ofRepresentativesappointedby9, thechange speaker."F." to "D." AMENDMENT NO.
(6)12 OneOn memberpage from3, theline Louisiana10, Senatechange appointed"G.(1)" byto the"D.(1)" president.AMENDMENT NO.
(7)13 OneOn memberpage who3, isline 14, after "member" delete the secretaryofremainder Louisianaof Worksthe orline hisAMENDMENT designee.NO.
(8)14 OneOn memberpage who3, isline the16, commissionerchange of"H." insuranceto or"F." hisAMENDMENT designee.NO.
(9)15 OneOn memberpage who3, isat the assistantbeginning secretary for the office of women'sline health17, andchange community"members" healthto or"a hismember" designee.AMENDMENT NO.
(10)16 OneOn memberpage who3, isline the18, executivechange director"they ofrepresent." theto governor's"he officerepresents." onAMENDMENT women'sNO. policy or his designee.
(11)17 OneOn memberpage who3, isat athe nurseend practitionerof orline physician22, assistantinsert from a ruralperiod community"." appointedAMENDMENT byNO. the surgeon general.
(12)18 OneOn memberpage who3, isline an25, epidemiologistchange or"J." healthto statistician"G." appointedAMENDMENT byNO. the surgeon general.
(13)19 OneOn memberpage who3, isline a27, healthcarechange consumer"K." appointedto by"H." theAMENDMENT surgeonNO. general.
(14)20 OneOn memberpage who3, isline a29, functionalchange medicine"quorum" providerto or"majority"and integrativeafter"consortium"insert medicineaperiod provider"." appointedAMENDMENT byNO. the surgeon general.
C.21 On page 4, line 1, change "L." to "I." AMENDMENT NO.
The22 consortiumOn maypage engage4, andline solicit,2, asafter necessary,"of" input,and recommendations,andguidanceonissuespertainingtotheadvancementofwomen'sbefore healthfrominterestedpartiesandstakeholders,includingbutnotlimitedtoallofthe"voting" following:insert "the" AMENDMENT NO.
(1)23 XavierOn Universitypage of4, Louisianaline College5, ofchange Pharmacy."M." to "J." AMENDMENT NO.
(2)24 UniversityOn ofpage Louisiana4, atline Monroe9, Collegechange "N." to "K." Page 2 of Pharmacy.3 CODING:
(3) Baton Rouge General Medical Center.
(4) Our Lady of the Lake Health.
(5) Ochsner Health System.
(6) Woman's Hospital of Baton Rouge.
(7) Louisiana Association of Health Plans.
(8) Louisiana Hospital Association.
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HBHCAHB944 4465 1694 AMENDMENT NO.
94425 ENROLLEDOn (9)page The4, Louisianaline section24, ofdelete American"Louisiana" CollegeAMENDMENT ofNO. Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
D.26 On page 5, line 1, change "Recommendations" to "Provide recommendations" AMENDMENT NO.
Each27 memberOnpage5, shallline2, serveafter"treatment"insertacomma","andchange"thestate."to at"this thestate." pleasureAMENDMENT ofNO. the appointingauthority.
E.28 On page 5, line 4, change "the state," to "this state" AMENDMENT NO.
The29 consortiumOn maypage adopt5, proceduresat andthe policiesend toof provideline for8, thedelete governance"the" ofAMENDMENT theNO. consortium.
Such30 proceduresOn andpage policies5, shallline include10, but"The notconsortium belimitedtoproceduresandgroundsfortheremovalofanyconsortiummemberandshall fillingcoordinate" anyand vacancies.insert "Coordinate" AMENDMENT NO.
F.31 On page 5, line 16, change "O.(1)" to "L." AMENDMENT NO.
Each32 consortiumOn memberpage shall5, servedelete withoutlines compensation20 exceptthrough a23 membermayreceivereimbursement for expenses in accordancewiththeir theguidelinesentirety ofAMENDMENT theNO. entity he represents.
Anyreimbursement33 forOn expensespage incurred5, byadelete memberline shall25 bein theits soleentirety responsibilityand ofinsert the"ascribed entityto orthem agency the member represents, and nothing in this SectionSubsection:" shallAMENDMENT beNO. construed to require the Louisiana Department of Health to provide reimbursement for such expenses.
G.34 On page 5, line 26, change "expert" to "experts" AMENDMENT NO.
The35 chairmanOn andpage vice6, chairmanline of10, theafter consortium"weaknesses" shallinsert be elected by a majoritycomma of"," theAMENDMENT consortiumNO. members at its first meeting, which shall be called no later than September 1, 2026, and the members may elect other officers as the consortium deems appropriate.
H.36 On page 6, line 11, after "women" insert a comma "," AMENDMENT NO.
ThedomicileoftheconsortiumshallbeEastBatonRougeParish,butthe37 consortiumOn maypage hold6, meetingsdelete elsewherelines in12 through 15 and insert the state.following:
I.(1)"(4) Theconsortiumshallmeetatsuchtimesandplacesasdecidedbyavote"Menopause" ofmeans twelve months since the consortiumlast ormenstrual bycycle orderand the end of thereproductive chair.capabilities.
Special meetings shall be held on call of the chair or of a quorum of the members of the consortium.
(2) A majority of the total membership shall constitute a quorum of the consortium and any official action taken by the consortium shall require an affirmative vote of the majority of the quorum present and voting.
J.
The consortium and all meetings conducted pursuant to this Section shall complywiththeprovisionsoftheLouisianaOpenMeetingsLaw,asprovidedinR.S.
42:11 et seq.
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HB NO.
944 ENROLLED K.
Eachdepartmentparticipatingontheconsortiumshallprovidereasonable administrative assistance and staff support to the consortium, subject to the availability of personnel, appropriated funding, and existing agency resources.
L.
The functions of the consortium shall be to accomplish all of the following:
(1) Develop an initiative known as the Funding Priority Program for Women's Health Initiatives to identifycurrent funding provided for women's health initiatives, recommend funding needed to sustain and enhance current effective initiatives, and identify new funding opportunities to support emerging scientific researchandinnovation.
Theidentificationorrecommendationofanypublic-private partnership, funding opportunity, or collaborative initiative bythe consortium shall not authorize or obligate the Louisiana Department of Health or any participating agency to enter into any contract, memorandum of understanding, or financial commitment.
(2) Develop an Interagency Women's Health Agenda for recommendations to the Louisiana Department of Health.
The agenda shall include but not be limited to all of the following:
(a) Strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities in research, access to care, medical education, funding, policy, regulations, public education, and access to information pertaining to women's health at every stage of life.
(b) The Funding Priority Program for Women's Health Initiatives.
(3) Identify health issues which significantly affect women in this state, including but not limited to perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.
(4) Identify systemic barriers and health gaps to standard access of quality care across women's health and possible solutions.
(5) Evaluate and provide recommendations on:
(a) Solutionsandpartnershipstodriveinnovationinthediagnosis,treatment, and prevention of women-specific conditions in this state.
(b) Training in the delivery of care for medical students and physicians in this state, relating to the health issues which significantly affect women.
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944 ENROLLED (c) Impacts of health issues on the workforce.
(d) Information and data sharing between governmental and non-governmental entities relative to women's health issues.
(e) Asystemforeducatingwomenonhealthissuestoimprovequalityoflife and increase longevity.
(f) An online clearinghouse of credible online evidence-based information and resources, including the Interagency Women's Health Agenda, as identified by the consortium.
M.
The consortium and its members shall maintain the confidentialityof all information, data, and records received pursuant to this Section in accordance with applicable federal and state law, including but not limited to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Medicaid confidentiality requirements, and applicable state medical privacy laws.
No individually identifiable information shall be disclosed except as otherwise authorized by law.
Anydata-sharingarrangementinvolvingconfidentialinformationshallbesubjectto written agreements approved bythe applicable state agency.
N.
TheconsortiumshallsubmittotheDavidR.PoynterLegislativeResearch Library,theHouseandSenatecommittees onhealthandwelfare,andthe governor's officepriortotheconveningofthe2027RegularSessionoftheLegislatureawritten report that summarizes the activities, findings, and recommendations of the consortium,includingtheInteragencyWomen's HealthAgendaforthestate.
Tothe extent practicable, such reporting requirements may be satisfied by incorporating them into existing Louisiana Department of Health reporting mechanisms or publications to minimize duplicative administrative burdens.
O.
For the purposes of this Section, the following terms have the meanings ascribed to them in this Subsection:
(1) "Consortium" means the Woman's Health Consortium within the Louisiana Department of Health, office on women's health and community health, whichisanadvisorygroupcomprisedofpublicandprivatesectorexpertsandhealth professionals in this state specializing in women's health, as well as policy leaders Page 5 of 7 CODING:
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HB NO.
944 ENROLLED to provide recommendations on a comprehensive women's health agenda for the state.
(2) "Funding Priority Program for Women's Health Initiatives" means a detailed information schedule of women's health initiatives in this state which are recommended by the consortium which includes any current funding provided, the entityreceivingthefunding,anyadditionalfundingneededinfuturefiscalyears,and any alternative funding sources identified through potential public-private partnerships and multi-state collaborations.
(3) "Interagency Women's Health Agenda" means an assessment by the consortium given to the governor, legislature, and made available to the public of strengths,weaknesses,andopportunitiesonthoseissuesofhealthwhichsignificantly affect women, in particular perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.
(4) "Menopause"meanstwelvemonthssincethelastmenstrualcycleandthe end of reproductive capabilities.
This state is initiated by fluctuations in hormone levels.levels." Page 3 of 3 CODING:
(6) "Postmenopause" means the remaining lifespan after menopause.
P.
The duties, functions, and responsibilities imposed pursuant to this Section shall be implemented only to the extent that funding is appropriated by the legislature or otherwise made available through federal funds, grants, or other fundingsources.NothinginthisSectionshallbeconstruedtorequiretheexpenditure of funds in excess of those appropriated or otherwise available for such purposes.
Q.
Nothing in this Section shall be construed to create an obligation for the LouisianaDepartmentofHealthoranyparticipatingagencyto createnewpositions, enter into contracts, or expend additional funds absent specific legislative appropriation.
R.
Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require the Louisiana Department of Health or anyother state agencyto implement, adopt, or enforce any recommendation, policy proposal, initiative, or action of the consortium absent separate legislative approval, existing statutory or regulatory authority, the Page 6 of 7 CODING:
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944 ENROLLED availability of specifically appropriated funding, and the approval of the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana surgeon general.
S.
Any recommendation, report, agenda, finding, or proposal of the consortium shall not constitute official policy or guidance of the Louisiana Department of Health unless separately adopted by the department in accordance with applicable law.
T.
The consortium shall serve solely in an advisory capacity and shall not constitute a program, office, or operational division of the Louisiana Department of Health.
U.
TheLouisianaDepartmentofHealthshallbetherecordscustodianforthe consortium for purposes of compliance with applicable public records and open meetings laws.
The Louisiana Department of Health shall not be deemed the custodian of records of anyparticipating non-state entity.
Section2.
ThisActshall becomeeffectiveuponsignaturebytheGovernoror,ifnot signed by the Governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature by the Governor, as provided in Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana.
IfvetoedbytheGovernorandsubsequentlyapprovedbytheLegislature,thisAct shall become effective on the dayfollowing such approval.
Section 3.
The provisions of this Act shall terminate on June 30, 2027, unless extended by the legislature.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA APPROVED:
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