Legislature overrides Edwards veto of gender altering medical procedures for minors

BATON ROUGE, La. – Both chambers of the Louisiana legislature mustered the 2/3 vote of its membership necessary to override a Governor’s veto clearing the way for the “Stop Harming Our Kids Act” (HB 648) to become law. The bill prohibits healthcare professionals from providing gender affirming care or altering a child’s appearance to validate the minor’s perceptions of his sex. The Legislature adjourned following the vote of the Senate.

The Louisiana Constitution mandates a veto session on the 40^th day after adjournment of the Regular Session unless a majority of either the House or Senate votes not to return. This year only 12 members of the Senate and 31 members of the House mailed in ballots stating the veto session was unnecessary.  The 2023 Veto Session, which convened Tuesday, July 18^th at noon, is only the third in the state’s history since the 1974 Louisiana Constitution was adopted. 

“The House came back to Baton Rouge and used this veto override opportunity to push legislation over the finish line and into law,” said Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder. “We had robust participation from the public today here at the Capitol and I appreciate how involved average citizens have been in our important discussions this year.”

“Senators quickly and efficiently handled the votes necessary today and agreed with the House to override HB 648,” said Senate President Page Cortez. “This concludes a season of discussion, debate and hard work by legislators.”

The House of Representatives voted 76-23 to override the veto of HB 648. The vote in the Senate was 28-11.  The Governor vetoed a total of 26 bills from the 2023 Regular Session including line item vetoes from the budget package.