{{Short description|American politician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Lauren Ventrella | state_house = Louisiana | district = 65th | term_start = January 8, 2024 | predecessor = Barry Ivey | successor = | birth_date = | birth_place = | party = Republican | education = Louisiana State University (BA) <br/> Southern University (MPA, JD) | occupation = Attorney }}
'''Lauren Ventrella''' is an American politician serving as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 65th district. A member of the Republican Party, Ventrella represents parts of East Baton Rouge Parish and has been in office since January 8, 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Daniel |date=2023-11-19 |title=Five Republicans and incumbent Democrat win area State Rep. seats |url=https://unfilteredwithkiran.com/state-representative-november-18-election/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/static/2023-10-14/resultsRace/Legislative |title=Legislative Race Results - October 14, 2023 |publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/static/2023-11-18/resultsRace/Legislative |title=Legislative Race Results - November 18, 2023 |publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-15 |title=ELECTION 2023: Oct. 14 election results |url=https://www.wafb.com/2023/10/15/election-2023-oct-14-election-results/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |language=en}}</ref>
==Tenure== In 2024, Ventrella voted in favor of advancing House Bill 545 from the Administration of Criminal Justice committee.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Roll Call and Record Vote|url=https://house.louisiana.gov/H_CmteRecordRolCallVotes/RollCallVotes/ACRJ_04162024.pdf|access-date=2024-04-16|website=Louisiana House of Representatives|language=en-US}}</ref> The bill, filed by Republican Beryl Amedee, would remove legal protections for obscenity from teachers and librarians in all Louisiana public schools.<ref>{{Cite web|title=House Bill 545|url=https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1351530|access-date=2024-04-16|website=Louisiana House of Representatives|language=en-US}}</ref>
Also in 2024, Ventrella cosponsored House Bill 71, which mandates that a poster of the Ten Commandments be displayed in every Louisiana classroom at schools that receive state funding, from kindergarten through the university level.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/20/politics/video/louisiana-classrooms-ten-commandments-sanchez-ventrella-cnc-digvid | title=CNN anchor spars with GOP lawmaker on Louisiana Ten Commandments bill: 'Answer the question' | CNN Politics | website=CNN | date=June 20, 2024 }}</ref>
In 2025, Ventrella sponsored House Bill 575, titled the “Justice for Victims of Abortion Drug Dealers Act.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Westwood |first=Rosemary |date=May 14, 2025 |title=Louisiana House weighs bill allowing families to sue over suspected abortions |url=https://www.wwno.org/public-health/2025-05-14/louisiana-house-weighs-bill-allowing-families-to-sue-over-suspected-abortions |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=WWNO |language=en}}</ref> The legislation extended the time period for filing lawsuits related to abortion procedures from three years to five years and allowed civil suits against out-of-state doctors and activists who facilitated abortions. It drew support from Attorney General Liz Murrill, who was pursuing a case against a New York physician accused of providing abortion-inducing medication to a minor in West Baton Rouge Parish.<ref name="Illuminator">{{cite news |last=Hutchinson |first=Piper |title=Louisiana Legislature targets out-of-state doctors who provide abortion pills |url=https://lailluminator.com/2025/06/10/louisiana-legislature-targets-out-of-state-doctors-who-provide-abortion-pills/ |work=Louisiana Illuminator |date=June 10, 2025 |access-date=October 1, 2025}}</ref> The proposal was narrowed during the legislative process after bipartisan concerns about privacy and enforcement; early drafts had allowed a wider group of plaintiffs and included provisions for lawsuits against manufacturers of abortion medication.<ref name="Illuminator"/> The bill passed both chambers and is expected to become law with the support of Governor Jeff Landry.<ref name="Illuminator"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://house.louisiana.gov/h_reps/members?ID=65 Official House Profile] *[https://ballotpedia.org/Lauren_Ventrella Ballotpedia entry for Lauren Ventrella]
{{Louisiana House of Representatives}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ventrella, Lauren}} Category:Living people Category:Republican Party members of the Louisiana House of Representatives Category:21st-century members of the Louisiana State Legislature Category:Women state legislators in Louisiana Category:Louisiana State University alumni Category:Southern University alumni Category:21st-century American women politicians Category:Year of birth missing (living people)