Judging from the early bills that have been filed, Republican conservatives in the Louisiana Legislature will be trying to take more control over education and healthcare. The session begins at noon on March 14 and has to end no later than 6 p.m. June 6.

Rep. Phillip Tarver, R-Lake Charles, is sponsoring House Bill 4, which is a proposed state constitutional amendment eliminating the gubernatorial appointment of three members of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). If approved, the board would have only eight elected members.

Rep. Valarie Hodges, Denham Springs, is backing HB 16 that requires instruction on World War II and the Holocaust in grades 9 through 12. The subject matter would be incorporated into an existing required course like American history.

The proposed law would require each public school governing authority to make available to its schools the free curriculum from the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

Rep. Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, is sponsor of HB 33 that creates the Education Savings Account Program for students in kindergarten through grade 12 who are not enrolled in a public school. It would be funded with money comparable to what public schools get for each student from the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP).

Rep. Lance Harris, R-Alexandria, and chairman of the House Education Committee, is the author of HB 75. It would require school governing authorities to post on their websites information pertaining to instructional materials and activities.

The legislation says the list would have to be posted by the first day of school each year and, at a minimum, be updated by Jan. 15 and for parents to be notified upon each update.

Harris’ legislation is similar to laws being introduced in other states. Some of those states are Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia.

Harris is also sponsoring HB 88 that would require each public school governing authority to ensure students receive instruction on topics related to freedom in observance of Celebrate Freedom Week, to be held in conjunction with Constitution Day and Constitution Week each September.

Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, is reintroducing Senate Bill 44 that is called the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act.” It says the biological sex of team members will determine where they participate in athletic events.

Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed Mizell’s bill last year dealing with transgender children and the House failed to override his veto.

Immunizations and emergency health declarations by the governor and health authorities are the major targets of conservative legislators.

Rep. Larry Frieman, R-Abita Springs, is sponsoring HB 12 that provides for legislative termination of a declaration of an emergency or any portion of the declaration. Gov. Edwards and the state Department of Health have established coronavirus pandemic declarations, and some legislators would like to relieve them of that responsibility.

Frieman is also the author of HB 53, which is a proposed state constitutional amendment. It would add the right of Louisiana citizens to accept or reject any form of health care to the state constitution.

Rep. Kathy Edmonston, R-Gonzales, is the author of HB 47 that would require that any communication issued to students or parents about immunization requirements would also require exemption information and an exemption form.

Edmonston is also sponsor of HB 48 that would prohibit the administration of vaccines on school property and at school-sponsored events.

Rep. Larry Bagley, R-Stonewall, and chairman of the House Health and Welfare Committee, is sponsor of HB 54. It would create the crime of discrimination based on vaccination status and provides penalties banning entry onto an entity’s premises based on vaccination status.

It is difficult to accept this rush of legislators who believe they have all the answers. Professionals who have been well trained are working in the state’s education and healthcare fields and they have been trusted for generations. The BESE board and others, for example, have just come up with new and acceptable social studies standards

Cade Brumley, state superintendent of education, said, “The standards reflect the totality of the events that have made America an exceptional nation, including our accomplishments and flaws. From the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation to the ratification of the 19^th Amendment (women’s right to vote), the journey towards freedom has been one of struggle and sacrifice.”

Louisiana’s Republican conservatives who are sponsoring all of this legislation have apparently forgotten the wise words of Thomas Jefferson who said, “The government that governs least governs best.”