HB 541: HEALTH CARE/PROVIDERS: Establishes a registry for individuals and entities that provide caregiving services (EN NO IMPACT See Note) - Louisiana

HB541 Original → HB541 Act 507 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to simplify its scope by removing the requirement for a full licensure program and replacing it with a registration system that distinguishes caregiver registries from direct healthcare providers. The changes redefine 'caregiver' to exclude those working for agencies and explicitly prohibit registries from employing, supervising, or providing clinical oversight for caregivers, ensuring they act only as referral services.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from establishing a comprehensive licensure program with fees and detailed application requirements to a lighter-touch registration framework that clarifies the legal distinction between registries and healthcare service providers.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'caregiver' was updated to list specific roles like registered nurses and personal care attendants, while the definition of 'caregiver registry' was narrowed to strictly mean entities that facilitate referrals without reimbursing services.

REQUIREMENT

All requirements for a formal licensure process, including application forms, financial solvency statements, and specific licensing fees, were removed from the text.

New explicit prohibitions were added to prevent registries from employing, directing, supervising, or providing clinical oversight to the caregivers they refer.

A new requirement mandates that caregiver registries must conduct background checks on all healthcare providers listed on their registry.

ELIGIBILITY

The bill now includes specific exemptions clarifying that caregiver registries do not include home health agencies, nurse staffing agencies, or home- and community-based service providers.

HB541 Enrolled → HB541 Original · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from an enrolled version to an original draft, shifting the statutory citations from scattered sections to a new, consolidated Part II-K (R.S. 40:2120.81 through 2120.86). The substantive policy changes include a redefinition of 'caregiver' to explicitly include self-employed individuals and a clarification that caregiver registries cannot directly provide care services to clients. The licensing requirements were expanded to include specific application details like financial solvency statements and experience qualifications, while maintaining existing prohibitions on registries employing or supervising caregivers.

Scope change

The bill's scope was clarified by creating a distinct legal category for 'caregiver registries' separate from direct service providers, and the definition of who can be a 'caregiver' was broadened to include self-employed professionals.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'caregiver' was updated to explicitly include self-employed healthcare professionals who represent themselves to a registry in writing.

The definition of 'caregiver registry' was updated to clarify that it includes contracts for private duty or staffing services to healthcare facilities.

REQUIREMENT

New licensure requirements mandate that applications include a statement of financial solvency and a detailed description of the applicant's experience and qualifications.

A new prohibition was added stating that a caregiver registry shall not offer care services directly to clients.

TECHNICAL

The bill structure was reorganized into a new Part II-K with specific section numbers (2120.81-2120.86) to consolidate caregiver registry laws.

HB541 Reengrossed → HB541 Enrolled · 3 edits · Jun 12, 2025

MINOR

The bill was finalized as an enrolled version, removing administrative headers and the legislative digest while retaining the core legal text. The substantive policy content regarding caregiver registries remains unchanged, defining registries as referral services that cannot employ or supervise caregivers and requiring background checks on healthcare providers listed on the registry.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; the text represents the final version of the same legislation.

TECHNICAL

Removed the 'Reengrossed' header and the House Legislative Services digest, which explains the law but is not part of the official statute.

Added the 'Enrolled' header, indicating the bill has passed both chambers and is ready for the Governor's signature.

Adjusted line numbers and formatting to align with the final enrolled version of the bill.

HB541 Engrossed → HB541 Reengrossed · 6 edits · Jun 9, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was reengrossed to add three new representatives as sponsors and significantly revise the legislative text to align with House floor amendments. The changes redefine 'caregiver registries' to explicitly exclude them from being classified as home- and community-based service providers, clarify the specific roles of caregivers, and establish new operational restrictions.

Scope change

The bill's scope was modified to clarify that caregiver registries are distinct from healthcare agencies and to limit their activities to referral services only, prohibiting them from employing or supervising caregivers.

ELIGIBILITY

Added three new co-sponsors (Representatives Chassion and Knox) to the bill.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'home- and community-based service provider' to explicitly exclude caregiver registries.

Revised the definition of 'caregiver' to specifically list personal care attendants, companions, or homemakers.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement for caregiver registries to conduct background checks on healthcare providers listed on the registry.

Added a requirement for caregiver registries to provide information about licensed healthcare facilities where caregivers may operate.

Added prohibitions preventing caregiver registries from employing, directing, supervising, providing clinical oversight, or dictating terms for caregivers.

HEALTH CARE/PROVIDERS: Establishes a registry for individuals and entities that provide caregiving services (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

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