BATON ROUGE — House lawmakers approved several bills Monday, including new restrictions on abortion clinics within the state, stiffer penalties for those who flee from police, a lower voting registration age and stiffer penalties for those who assault a referee.

House Bill 388 by Rep. Katrina Jackson, D-Monroe, passed with a 85-6 vote with no debate on the House floor. All Southwest Louisiana lawmakers approved the legislation. It heads to the Senate for consideration.

The Unsafe Abortion Protection Act would require doctors who perform abortions to have “admitting privileges” at a hospital no more than 30 miles from the abortion clinic. The hospital has to provide obstetrical or gynecological services.

Doctors must also provide the woman with his or her phone number or the phone number of other personnel who work at the clinic and have 24-hour access to the patient’s medical records. The name and number of the nearest hospital to the patient’s home would also be required in case an emergency occurs after the abortion is performed.

Under the bill, a doctor cannot give drugs used to perform abortions unless the woman gives consent. Doctors who prescribe or give any drug to induce abortions must report it to the state Department of Health and Hospitals.

If the woman “experiences a serious adverse event,” the doctor must report it to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration within at least three days of hearing about the event.

The House Health and Welfare Committee approved Jackson’s bill following lengthy debate earlier in the session. Supporters of abortion rights said the legislation would force abortion clinics in New Orleans, Metairie and Baton Rouge to close. This would leave two clinics open in Louisiana — one in Shreveport and Bossier City.

H.B. 308 by Rep. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport, was approved with a 68-28 vote. It increases the penalties for those who commit aggravated flight from an officer that results in serious injury to up to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. The current law calls for up to two years in jail for those convicted.

Rep. Dorothy Sue Hill, D-Dry Creek, spoke about an incident in 2004 where Louisiana native Kermith Sonnier Jr., 37, was shot and killed by police in Pennsylvania after leading them through a near six-mile chase in the city of Brownsville. She said she could not support the bill because she did not want a similar situation happening in Louisiana.

Reps. Mike Danahay, D-Sulphur, Brett Geymann, R-Moss Bluff, John Guinn, R-Jennings, Bob Hensgens, R-Abbeville, Frank Howard, R-Many, and ChuckKleckley, R-Lake Charles, approved the measure.

Reps. James Armes, D-Leesville, A.B. Franklin, D-Lake Charles, and Hill opposed the bill.

H.B. 501 by Rep. Wesley Bishop, D-New Orleans, was approved with a 86-11 vote. It would let 16-year-olds register to vote. The current voter registration age is 17.

Frank Howard, R-Many, was the only Southwest Louisiana lawmaker to oppose the bill.

H.B. 523 by Rep. Eddie Lambert, R-Gonzales, was approved with a 99-0 vote. It calls for limits of largemouth and spotted bass caught in saltwater. The limit is three times the daily take limit, but the person must show a landing receipt from a public boat launch that states he or she has been on the water or a remote camp that can be accessed only by water for two days or more.

House Bill 227 by Rep. Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, was approved with a 95-1 vote. It would increase the penalties of battery against a referee at a school or recreational sporting event. The penalties would include a fine of up to $5,000 and up to three months in jail. Battery that results in injury would carry stiffer penalties.

All Southwest Louisiana lawmakers voted for the measure.Dorinda Bordlee

Melinda Deslatte