HB 182 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

NURSES: Provides relative to victims of sexual assault (EG +$4,000,000 LF See Note)

HB 182 requires all licensed hospitals and healthcare providers in Louisiana to ensure a qualified healthcare professional (such as a physician or sexual assault nurse examiner) is available during operating hours to provide forensic examinations and treatment to sexual assault survivors. It mandates that facilities offer survivors information about these services and maintain personnel trained to conduct forensic medical exams. The bill directly affects hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers statewide by setting new standards for their response to sexual assault cases. It defines key terms like "qualified healthcare professional" to clarify who can perform these examinations, aiming to improve access to specialized care for survivors.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 18, 2026 Last action Mar 25, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB182 Original → HB182 Engrossed · 3 edits · Mar 24, 2026

MINOR

The bill was amended to narrow its requirements by limiting the obligation to maintain sexual assault examiners to hospitals that have an emergency department, rather than all licensed hospitals. Additionally, the law now explicitly requires these professionals to have documented proof of forensic training and sets an effective date of August 1, 2028.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed from applying to all licensed hospitals and healthcare providers to only those licensed hospitals that operate an emergency department.

SCOPE

The requirement to maintain a qualified healthcare professional now applies only to licensed hospitals with an emergency department, removing the obligation from other licensed hospitals and standalone healthcare providers.

DEFINITION

A new definition clarifies that a 'qualified healthcare professional' must have documented proof of training and proficiency in performing forensic medical examinations.

TIMELINE

The bill includes a specific effective date of August 1, 2028.

Floor votes · House Mar 24, 2026

How they voted

96–1

Passed · 8 other

Total votes 105

Mar 24, 2026

D Democratic33

31 Yea 2

93% Yea

R Republican72

65 Yea 1 Nay 6

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 96, nays 1. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (13-0).

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.

lower

1 primary · 21 co-sponsors