COVINGTON – Families in Louisiana will soon receive expanded bereavement care following infant loss under a new law recently passed by the state Legislature thanks to the advocacy and compassion of a St. Tammany Health System nurse navigator.
Drawing on both personal and professional experience, Kristi Lamarque-Bordelon, bereavement nurse navigator for Women and Children’s Services at St. Tammany Health System’s flagship St. Tammany Parish Hospital, approached Sen. Patrick McMath with a vision to better support grieving families in Louisiana hospitals. Her proposal called for every hospital in Louisiana with a maternity unit or neonatal intensive care unit to have the resources needed to provide comprehensive perinatal bereavement care.
That vision included access to perinatal cooling devices, such as Caring Cradles; specialized training for hospital personnel on supporting parents and family members following intrauterine fetal demise, neonatal death or stillbirth; and assistance connecting families with bereavement services, including grief counseling and support groups. The legislation passed the Senate unanimously. Rep. Kim Carver introduced the measure on the House floor with robust support, where it garnered another round of unanimous backing. Ultimately, 118 lawmakers signed on as co-authors.
On June 1, the final day of the 2026 Louisiana Legislative session, Gov. Jeff Landry signed the Perinatal Bereavement Care Initiative — Act No. 346, also known as Angel’s Law.
“One of the most meaningful things we can give families who have suffered the loss of an infant at birth is time,” Lamarque-Bordelon said. “Angel’s Law ensures that no family in Louisiana is forced to rush through goodbyes. It ensures hospitals are equipped with the tools they need and staff are trained to respond with compassion.
She added that devices such as Caring Cradles and CuddleCots allow families time to hold their infants, memorize their features and say goodbye without feeling rushed.
“The pain of losing a child does not go away,” she said. “How we care for patients facing such a loss stays with them forever.”
McMath said Lamarque-Bordelon’s advocacy was key to the legislation’s success.
“When Kristi shared her vision — inspired by similar legislation passed in Texas — I knew this law would elevate the level of care for families experiencing unimaginable loss,” McMath said. “I am proud to author Angel’s Law and grateful to my colleagues in the Legislature and to Gov. Landry for their support.”
Joan Coffman, president and CEO of St. Tammany Health System, said Lamarque-Bordelon’s work has already strengthened bereavement care locally.
“The grief support work Kristi has spearheaded at St. Tammany has deepened the care we provide families experiencing infant loss or miscarriage,” Coffman said. “Her collaboration with Sen. McMath on Angel’s Law reflects her commitment to our community and ensures this level of compassionate care can be available statewide.”
Read the complete text of Angel’s Law at the Louisiana Legislature website.
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About St. Tammany Health System
The heartbeat of its community, St. Tammany Health System cares for patients and families with excellence, compassion and teamwork. It is recognized for quality, safety and service excellence by CareChex, Leapfrog, Healthgrades, Hospital Compare, Women’s Choice and US News & World Report. St. Tammany Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 and Ochsner Health work together in partnership to improve the community’s health and quality of life. Together, west St. Tammany’s top two independent health leaders represent the most complete system of care, aligning behind the common goals of improving access, expanding specialty care and making care affordable. Under their agreement, each retains its autonomy; neither manages nor owns the other. Self-supporting, not-for-profit STHS is A+ rated by Fitch and receives no tax funding. More at StTammany.health.