HB 761 creates an advisory board within Louisiana's Department of Health to review and recommend new treatments for rare cancers. The 17-member board includes health officials, cancer researchers, oncologists from major institutions (like LSU, Tulane, and Xavier), and representatives from cancer research centers. The board must hold quarterly public meetings, compile findings within 30-45 days, and submit written reports to the Insurance Committees of both legislative chambers. This process directly affects how the Department of Health evaluates rare cancer treatments, streamlining recommendations to the agency for potential adoption.
HB 337 increases the number of annual special bingo sessions allowed for charitable organizations in Louisiana, raising the limit to no more than two sessions per year. It also sets a $25,000 daily cap on total prizes (cash or value) awarded during these sessions. The bill directly affects licensed charitable groups that operate bingo games, clarifying that standard gambling regulations still apply to these special licenses.
HB 755 establishes a new contracting method for Louisiana state agencies to hire professional design firms (like architects and engineers) for ongoing projects. It creates "master contracts" allowing agencies to issue multiple task orders for specific design work under a single agreement, with a maximum total fee of $1 million and a 2-year term. The bill requires agencies to follow specific selection procedures through professional boards, maintain at least two active contracts at all times, and prohibits using this system for new building designs. This directly affects state agencies needing design services and professional firms seeking state work, streamlining procurement while setting clear financial and procedural limits.
HB 719 mandates minimum staffing levels for assistant district attorneys (ADAs) across all 42 judicial districts in Louisiana, including Orleans Parish (New Orleans). The bill specifies exact minimum numbers - such as 35 ADAs for the First Judicial District and 83 for Orleans Parish - requiring district attorneys to appoint at least these numbers in each district. It also requires approval from the Governor’s Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys before implementation, with the changes taking effect on January 1, 2027. This bill directly affects district attorneys’ offices by setting enforceable staffing requirements, without altering legal procedures or creating new programs.
HB 403 changes Louisiana's food safety law to set a $30,100 annual sales threshold for home-based food sellers. It directly affects small home food businesses whose gross sales reach or exceed this amount, requiring them to comply with standard food safety regulations. The bill amends Section 4.9(B) of the state code to remove the exemption from the Sanitary Code for these sellers. This is a concrete policy change limiting the current exemption to businesses with lower sales volumes.
HB 895 requires Louisiana hospitals and healthcare providers to offer sexual assault survivors specific medical treatments without undue delay. It mandates that providers make emergency contraception available and provide at least a three-day supply of HIV/STI prevention medication when medically needed, alongside private examinations adapted to each survivor's needs. The bill also requires hospitals to offer a survivor advocate (with confidential communications) during forensic exams, with the survivor's consent. This directly affects sexual assault survivors receiving emergency medical care in Louisiana hospitals.
HB 748 would exempt all Louisiana school board-owned vehicles from paying tolls on state-operated bridges, highways, and public ferries (excluding the Greater New Orleans Expressway). Currently, only school buses carrying students during specific hours have toll-free passage; this bill expands that exemption to cover any vehicle owned or operated by Louisiana school boards. The law would require the state to provide free passage for these vehicles over all public toll roads, bridges, and ferries managed by Louisiana. This change directly affects school districts by reducing operational costs for their vehicle fleets.
HB 690 prohibits Louisiana public school districts and education agencies from contracting with entities tied to foreign adversaries (like designated countries) or foreign terrorist organizations, including their agents or proxies. It directly affects education service providers (e.g., curriculum developers, school management firms) and vendors selling educational products to schools. Key provisions require contracts to include explicit prohibitions against such ties, mandate immediate payment suspension if violations are found, and allow due process for affected contractors. The law takes effect for new contracts starting July 1, 2026, with the attorney general overseeing debt recovery for improperly paid funds.
HB 821 establishes the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools within the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice. The center will administer school and nonprofit security programs, develop statewide safety frameworks (including threat assessment models), and provide training on emergency planning, facility security, and crisis response to schools and nonprofits. It will coordinate with state agencies like the Department of Education and coordinate emergency notification systems while maintaining data privacy. The bill also creates a 13-member advisory council, including education and law enforcement leaders, to review safety frameworks and recommend grant priorities.
HB 398 sets a federal benchmark for state travel expenses by requiring all Louisiana state agencies (judicial, legislative, and executive branches) to reimburse employees for lodging, meals, and incidental costs at rates not exceeding those established by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). It directly affects state officials and employees traveling on official business, capping reimbursements at federal GSA rates unless specific conference lodging is proven cheaper than commuting. Exceptions allow full reimbursement for reserved conference lodging if documented cost savings exist. The rule takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to expenses incurred on or after that date.
HB 552 amends Louisiana's DWI laws to explicitly include "impaired" driving alongside "intoxicated" driving, expanding the scope of the offense to cover impairment from alcohol or drugs. It clarifies that city and municipal courts can handle first and second DWI offenses (with penalties matching state law), but third or subsequent offenses must be tried in district court with a jury. The bill also requires courts to assess additional costs when alcohol was a factor in any offense, and makes intoxilyzer test results automatically admissible as evidence in DWI cases. These changes directly affect drivers facing DWI charges, local courts handling such cases, and prosecutors presenting evidence.
HB 799 establishes new boiler safety regulations in Louisiana, directly affecting boiler operators, inspectors, and manufacturers. It grants the state fire marshal exclusive authority to enforce safety standards, requiring annual external inspections for all boilers and internal inspections for high-pressure systems (with limited extensions under specific conditions). The bill mandates that inspections follow American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) industry standards, creates a licensing system for boiler inspectors, and requires detailed inspection records. Fees, penalties for violations, and specific procedures for boiler installation and operation are also defined under this legislation.
