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HB 897

HEALTH: Provides relative to protecting healthcare data

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mandie Landry

HB 897 strengthens privacy protections for pregnancy-related care by requiring clear privacy notices, written consent for disclosures, and prompt access to records, with enforcemen

Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.
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Bill Summary · HB 897

Bill Summary – HB 897 (2026, Louisiana)

Topic

Health: Protecting healthcare data within the Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative.

Primary purpose

To strengthen the privacy and protection of protected health information (PHI) of individuals using pregnancy-related services administered through the Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative (LPBCI) and related programs (including Thrive: The Baby and Parent Network). The bill establishes requirements for privacy notices, consent disclosures, data handling, and enforcement mechanisms, and assigns responsibilities to pregnancy centers, general contractors, and subcontractors.

Key provisions

Definitions (Section 972.2)

  • Defines several terms for the section:
    • Department: Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
    • General contractor: Organization designated to manage LPBCI services through subcontracts
    • Pregnancy center: Facility providing pregnancy-related services or collecting health information
    • Protected health information (PHI): Health information that identifies an individual
    • Subcontractor: Organization providing services at pregnancy centers under contract with the department or general contractor

Privacy and disclosure requirements

  • Pregnancy centers (and subcontractors) may not disclose a client’s name or PHI outside the organization without the client's written consent for the specific disclosure, unless required by law.
  • Before obtaining written permission for disclosure, centers must provide a privacy notice outlining:
    • Purpose of disclosure
    • Specific PHI to be disclosed
    • Third parties that may receive the PHI
  • Centers must provide a simple mechanism for clients to revoke consent.
  • Centers must, at no cost, provide a copy of all records in the client’s possession/control within 10 business days of a request.
  • General contractors receiving PHI must not disclose a client’s name or PHI outside their own organization.

Allowed data sharing

  • Disclosure of aggregated or de-identified information that does not identify individuals is allowed.
  • Disclosures necessary for DCFS to exercise oversight authority or otherwise required by law are allowed.

Oversight, complaints, and enforcement

  • Individuals may file complaints with DCFS for alleged privacy violations.
  • DCFS must investigate and determine whether a violation occurred.
  • If a violation is found, DCFS must initiate enforcement actions, which may include warnings or monetary fines.
  • Penalties must be commensurate with the level of responsibility assigned to the entity.
  • Enforcement actions must follow applicable state contracting laws and provide notice and an opportunity to respond.

Applicability and responsibilities

  • The requirements apply to any organization receiving state or federal funding through DCFS-managed programs that fund pregnancy center services, referrals, marketing, or administrative functions (including LPBCI and Thrive).
  • General contractors, subcontractors, and pregnancy centers share responsibility for complying with the provisions.

Affected parties

  • Pregnant individuals and other program participants using LPBCI services
  • Pregnancy centers and any affiliated subcontractors
  • General contractors contracted to manage LPBCI
  • DCFS as the overseeing department
  • Organizations receiving state/federal funding through DCFS-managed pregnancy programs

Timeline and process notes

  • The bill adds procedural requirements for privacy notices, consent mechanisms, and 10-business-day records requests.
  • It creates a complaint process with DCFS and outlines enforcement procedures, aligned with existing state contracting rules (including notice and response opportunities).

Summary assessment

HB 897 strengthens patient privacy protections for individuals utilizing pregnancy-related services by requiring transparent privacy notices, explicit consent for disclosures, and timely access to records. It clarifies responsibilities among centers, general contractors, and subcontractors and establishes enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance. The bill also permits aggregate or de-identified data sharing for oversight purposes.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current law or a concise one-page briefing for stakeholders.

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

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