The bill banning two bill used for abortions is now law in Louisiana.
Governor Jeff Landry signed Senate Bill 274, drafted by Sen. Thomas Pressly (R-Shreveport), into law on Friday afternoon.
That bill, which was initially drafted to outlaw "abortion by fraud" was later amended to add language making mifepristone and misoprostol Schedule IV controlled substances under Louisiana law. That makes possession of those pills without a valid prescription illegal. Under the new law, possession of those drugs without a prescription could lead to a 10-year prison sentence.
Louisiana legislators approved the law despite pleas from doctors and other medical professionals, who warned in a letter that the bill would cause “fear and confusion among patients, doctors, and pharmacists." That, the doctors said, would delay care and worsen outcomes for women in a state that already ranks last in the nation in maternity care.
"Requiring an abortion inducing drug to be obtained with a prescription and criminalizing the use of an abortion drug on an unsuspecting mother is nothing short of common sense," Governor Landry said on Twitter. :This bill protects women across Louisiana and I was proud to sign this bill into law today."
Landry also applauded Pressley for pushing the bill.
"Thanks to Senator (Pressley) for your hard work!" the governor Tweeted.
