According to the State of Babies Yearbook: 2021, Louisiana is home to more than 178,000 infants and toddlers and as many as 47.1 percent of those children live in households with incomes less than twice the federal poverty line.
Thanks to advocates across the state, the 2021 Louisiana Legislative Session adjourned in June with several exciting wins for babies and families across early childhood sectors:
• HB678 will extend the state’s 5% Earned Income Tax Credit until 2030.
• HB7 removes the sales tax from diapers and menstrual hygiene products.
• HR193 and SR208 expand Medicaid to provide coverage for new mothers for up to a full year postpartum.
• HB190 requires all healthcare plans offering maternal care in Louisiana to cover the cost of midwifery care, and establishes a state registry board for doulas in order to facilitate later work with insurance companies to cover doula care as well.
• SB215 will provide workplace protections for pregnant and lactating mothers.
These, along with multiple early care and education wins, will begin to set a firmer foundation for families in Louisiana. ZERO TO THREE congratulates the advocates and policymakers across the state who made this happen!
