Louisiana lawmakers seek to encourage adoption over abortion

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – Louisiana lawmakers are moving to bolster a state law aimed at encouraging women seeking an abortion to instead give birth and place the baby for adoption.
  
Nearing final passage is a proposal by Rep. Rick Edmonds, a Baton Rouge Republican, that would add more information about adoption to a state-mandated website, and to a state-issued pamphlet that must be given to a woman before she can have an abortion.
  
The website and printed materials would have to contain information on adoption agencies that aren’t affiliated with an abortion provider, along with ways that a pregnant woman could get confidential information about placing a child for adoption. The website would have to be named www.AdoptionOption.la.gov .
  
The legislation also creates a task force in the state health department to help develop the website and pamphlet, along with a publicity and outreach program aimed at promoting adoption and discouraging abortion.
  
Senators voted 31-0 Thursday for the proposal. It heads back to the House for approval of technical changes before going to the governor’s desk. Lawmakers in the House already unanimously supported the measure.