The Louisiana Legislature adjourned its 2023 regular session on June 8, with a number of bills passing or failing in the final minutes of the session. The following are a few of the high-profile bills that have been closely watched by the citizens of Louisiana.

BILLS THAT PASSED:

• Life in prison for dealing fentanyl: House Bill 90 aims to impose life imprisonment for fentanyl dealers, ranging from five to 40 years for dealing up to 28 grams and potentially life imprisonment for dealing 250 grams or more.

• ‘Don’t say gay’ bill: House Bill 466 prohibits discussions on gender and sexual identity in K-12 school classrooms.

• Ban on gender-affirming care for minors: House Bill 648 bans gender-affirming care for minors.

• Foreign land ownership ban: House Bill 537 prohibits the Chinese government and its citizens from purchasing land in Louisiana. This bill passed after Republicans introduced amendments to address concerns raised by Chinese Americans who opposed the bill.

• Age verification for social media: Senate Bill 162 aims to regulate minors’ social media use by potentially requiring age verification on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, starting next year. The bill draws inspiration from a controversial law enacted in Utah.

Bills listed that have passed still require Gov. John Bel Edwards’ signature to become law.

BILLS THAT FAILED:

• ‘Constitutional carry’: House Bill 131, which aimed to eliminate permitting requirements for carrying concealed firearms, failed in a...

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