In Louisiana, Reproductive Rights Face a New Kind of Threat
Louisiana’s near-total abortion ban already leaves almost no room for personal choice. But a new proposal, House Bill 575, is taking the war on reproductive rights even further. Masked as a civil justice measure, the bill could allow ex-partners, in-laws, and even acquaintances to sue someone they suspect had an abortion, or helped someone who did.
The bill passed the Louisiana House in early May. Then, on May 29, 2025, the Senate Judiciary A Committee advanced the bill with amendments. It now heads to the full Senate for a vote, and if passed, will likely be signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry. Landry had already approved the 2024 reclassification of abortion-inducing medications as controlled substances.
Supporters call HB 575 the Justice for Victims of Abortion Drug Dealers Act. But reproductive justice advocates see it as a green light for lawsuits rooted in politics, revenge, or religious ideology.
What the Bill Would Actually Do
HB 575 empowers people—including biological fathers, grandparents, and legal guardians—to sue over abortions, even if one didn’t take place. The bill also allows lawsuits against anyone who “aided or substantially facilitated” an abortion. That could mean helping someone get to an out-of-state clinic, lending money, or even offering emotional support.
To make matters worse, the timeline to sue is extended to five years, opening the door to long-term legal harassment and trauma.
Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans, warned the bill’s language is dangerously broad. She noted that it doesn’t define what it means to “cause” an abortion—raising concerns that people could be sued for simply assisting a friend or partner. “That could lead to people being sued for loaning money for an abortion, driving someone to a clinic, or other actions that support a person who has an abortion,” Landry said.
The Hidden Attack on Health and Privacy
Even though abortion is already banned in most cases in Louisiana, HB 575 poses a more insidious threat to reproductive healthcare. Doctors and pharmacists could face lawsuits not just for providing abortion care—but for doing their jobs.
Medications like misoprostol are commonly prescribed for ulcers, miscarriages, and postpartum care—not just abortions. But if a pharmacist fills a prescription and the patient later faces a civil claim, the pharmacist could be named in the lawsuit, too.
WWNO reports that healthcare professionals fear the bill will have a chilling effect on how care is delivered, especially in emergency situations. That fear is already palpable in the wake of Governor Landry’s 2024 signing of SB 276, which classified mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV controlled substances.
A Bill That Invites Legal Retaliation
Despite being framed as a justice measure, HB 575 reads more like an invitation for retaliation. Anyone with a grudge—an ex-partner, a disapproving parent, or an anti-abortion activist—could drag someone through court based on suspicion or hearsay.
The Louisiana Democratic Party issued a scathing rebuke, stating:
“HB575 doesn’t ‘protect’ anyone. It gives your ex the power to drag you, your friends, and your medical history through court years after an abortion.”
And opposition isn’t falling strictly along party lines.
Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, a Republican from New Orleans, raised concerns that HB 575 could hurt people dealing with pregnancy loss. “My fear is you’re involving a lot of other people,” Hilferty said. “Some women I’ve known, and I’m sure you’ve known, have had repetitive miscarriages through no fault of their own.”
A Blueprint for Civil Surveillance
HB 575 builds on the same logic as Texas’s infamous SB8 “bounty law,” but with a Louisiana twist. While SB8 incentivized lawsuits with a cash reward, HB 575 opens the door for personal damage claims, and makes them easier to file.
It’s a shift from punishing providers to policing relationships. Who drove you to your appointment? Who lent you money? Who knew, and didn’t stop you? These are the kinds of questions HB 575 invites lawyers and judges to ask.
Where Things Stand Now
HB 575 has passed the House and cleared the Senate Judiciary A Committee with amendments. The next step is a vote before the full Louisiana Senate. If passed, the bill will be sent to Governor Landry, who is expected to sign it.
Advocacy organizations like Lift Louisiana and the ACLU of Louisiana are urging constituents to call their state senators immediately. The Capitol switchboard can be reached at 225-342-2040.
A Final Word
Louisiana lawmakers claim this bill is about protecting victims. But real victims, including those who experience miscarriage, coercion, or abuse, will be the ones most at risk. HB 575 turns private grief into public prosecution. It turns health care into criminal suspicion, and empowers angry exes and political operatives while chilling reproductive care across the state.
Whether it’s the criminalization of kratom and other herbal remedies, the push to undermine Medicaid access, or legislation that places a woman’s uterus under government oversight, the Louisiana Legislature continues to flex its growing authoritarian streak one bill at a time. With every session, it chips away at bodily autonomy, medical freedom, and the right of Louisianans to make their own choices about their own lives.
