SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes Wednesday, May 20, 2026, as White Coat Wednesday at the Louisiana State Capitol.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Katrina Jackson-Andrews

Designates May 20, 2026 as White Coat Wednesday at the Louisiana Capitol to symbolically recognize healthcare workers and students, with no legal changes or funding.

Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate and sent to the Secretary of State by the Secretary of the Senate on 5/22/2026.

Summary of SR 139 (Louisiana Senate, 2026)

Purpose and intent

SR 139 designates a special day, week, or month at the Louisiana State Capitol to recognize a specific cause or occasion.

For this bill, the focus is recognizing Wednesday, May 20, 2026, as “White Coat Wednesday” at the Louisiana State Capitol. The resolution serves to acknowledge and honor White Coat professionals, typically associated with healthcare workers and medical students, and to raise awareness of their roles and contributions.

Key provisions

Recognition of a specific date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, as White Coat Wednesday at the Louisiana State Capitol.

The resolution expresses the intent to acknowledge and highlight the contributions of White Coat professionals within the state.

The measure is ceremonial in nature, with no direct changes to law, policy, or state programs.

Who or what is affected

Primary recipients: White Coat professionals (e.g., physicians, medical students, healthcare workers) and related medical education and healthcare communities within Louisiana.

The recognition is symbolic and intended for legislators, state agencies, healthcare institutions, and the public attending the Capitol or engaging with state government during the designated date.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced in the Louisiana Senate on May 20, 2026.

The Rules were suspended, allowing the bill to proceed without standard procedural delays.

Read by title, second reading by title, and adopted on the same day.

Co-sponsor: Katrina Jackson-Andrews (Senator).

Practical impact

The resolution creates formal recognition of White Coat Wednesday in the Capitol, which may be accompanied by events, proclamations, or educational activities highlighting the healthcare profession.

It does not create new statutory requirements, allocate funds, or alter regulatory authority; it is a ceremonial acknowledgment intended to raise awareness and honor healthcare workers and students.

Notes

As a concurrent or Senate resolution with ceremonial language, the bill’s impact is largely symbolic and intended for formal recognition rather than substantive policy changes.