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HB 779

HEALTH/MEDICAL TREATMENT: Provides relative to expedited partner therapy (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tehmi Chassion and 1 co-sponsor

Louisiana HB 779 allows doctors to prescribe STI antibiotics to untreated sexual partners without direct medical exams to prevent reinfection and transmission.

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 779

Legislative bill overview

HB 779 permits healthcare providers to prescribe antibiotics to the sexual partners of patients diagnosed with certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) without requiring the partner to be examined first. This practice, known as expedited partner therapy (EPT), aims to prevent reinfection and reduce STI transmission rates by removing barriers to partner treatment.

Why is this important

STI reinfection is a significant public health problem—untreated partners can immediately reinfect treated patients, undermining individual treatment effectiveness and perpetuating community transmission. EPT has shown effectiveness in reducing chlamydia and gonorrhea reinfection rates, particularly in populations with limited healthcare access. This bill could improve population-level STI control while addressing healthcare equity concerns.

Potential points of contention

  • Medical autonomy concerns: Prescribing medication to individuals without direct medical evaluation raises questions about standard medical practice, liability, and informed consent protocols
  • Antibiotic stewardship: Expanding prescribing without patient examination could contribute to inappropriate antibiotic use and resistance development if safeguards are insufficient
  • Implementation specifics unclear: The bill's language doesn't detail which STIs qualify, prescriber eligibility requirements, patient notification procedures, or safety monitoring mechanisms, leaving regulatory questions unresolved

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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