Louisiana Bills

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 867: LOCAL OFFL/POLICE CHIEFS: Provides for an appointed chief of police in the town of Fordoche

HB 867 changes how the chief of police is selected in the town of Fordoche, Louisiana. It requires the mayor to appoint the chief (with majority approval from the town's board of aldermen), replacing the previous system where the position was elected by voters. The appointed chief serves the same term as the mayor and aldermen, reports directly to the mayor, and has specific duties and qualifications set by the aldermen through an ordinance. The bill does not affect current officeholders until their term ends or the position becomes vacant.

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 772: BAIL: Provides relative to notice for warrants for arrest

HB 772 updates Louisiana's bail procedures by requiring defendants and bail sureties (including bail companies) to provide accurate mailing addresses and the last four digits of their Social Security numbers on bail documents. It mandates that courts send arrest warrant notices to defendants, bail agents, and sureties within 30 days of a missed court appearance, using the addresses provided under the new rules. The bill also sets a 60-day deadline for sending notice to commercial sureties, after which they are released from bail obligations. These changes, found in Articles 329 and 333 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, aim to ensure proper notice delivery while clarifying procedural requirements for bail forfeiture cases.

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 256: SCHOOLS/EMPLOYEES: Provides that school employees are subject to existing requirements pertaining to mandatory reporters, including certain training provided by the Department of Children and Family Services

HB 256 clarifies that school employees, including those in charter schools, must follow existing mandatory reporter laws. It directly affects teachers, staff, and other school employees who are already required to report suspected child abuse under Louisiana law. The bill amends two statutes to ensure school employees comply with training and reporting requirements previously mandated for child care providers, removing any ambiguity about charter schools being exempt. This creates a consistent policy requiring all school employees to complete Department of Children and Family Services training and report suspected abuse.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 433: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Provides relative to the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce

HB 433 renames the "Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce" to "Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership" and updates its role in appointing members to boards governing six East Baton Rouge Parish economic development districts (including Downtown, Inner City, Florida Boulevard, and Plank Road districts). The bill requires the Chamber to submit nominee lists for specific board seats, such as one appointment to the Downtown Development District board and one to the Plank Road Business District board. It also formally defines this renamed entity as a "regional economic development organization" in Louisiana law, affecting how these districts are governed. The changes apply directly to the governance structures of these economic development entities and their board appointments.

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 833: PRIVACY: Creates the Sexual Assault Survivor Empowerment Task Force

HB 833 creates the Sexual Assault Survivor Empowerment Task Force in Louisiana to study and recommend improvements to services for sexual assault survivors. The task force, composed of members from the attorney general's office, sheriffs' association, state legislators, and district attorneys, will evaluate needs like counseling, school/work accommodations, and mandatory training for schools/hospitals/law enforcement. It must submit a report with specific recommendations to the governor and legislature by February 1, 2027, after which the task force will terminate. This bill does not change existing laws but sets up a process to inform future legislation.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Delisha Boyd (D) · 24 co-sponsors

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 308: PUBLIC FACILITIES: Requires acceptance of cash for certain transactions at state-owned stadium facilities (EN INCREASE SG EX See Note)

HB 308 requires state-owned stadium facilities in Louisiana (like the Superdome, Smoothie King Center, and Tiger Stadium) to accept cash for in-person purchases of goods or services when other payment methods are accepted. It mandates that operators must allow cash transactions without fees or extra conditions, and permits using cash-to-card kiosks on-site. Exceptions include online transactions, suspected counterfeit cash, large bills ($20+), single transactions over $5,000, and parking. The law applies to all qualifying in-person transactions starting July 1, 2027.

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SB 367: WATER MANAGEMENT: Creates the Watershed Restoration and Conservation Fund. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE SD EX See Note)

SB 367 creates Louisiana's Watershed Conservation Fund to support restoration of lands and watersheds damaged by sand and stone mining. The fund is financed by remaining severance tax revenues from these mining operations after other required allocations (like coastal protection funds). It directly affects eligible watershed management entities that meet specific criteria, such as having statutory floodplain management authority and a governing board with parish representation and relevant expertise. Funds will be used for reclaiming abandoned mining sites, reducing flood risks in vulnerable areas, and improving water quality in impaired watersheds. The secretary of the department must annually report fund administration to relevant legislative committees.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 656: CORRECTIONS: Creates a pilot program that provides certain DPS&C programming and services to inmates (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 656 establishes a pilot program to provide structured programming to specific inmates in Louisiana. It directly affects juvenile offenders and inmates held in parish jails or prisons under the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C). The program must include rehabilitation services (education/vocational training), mental health support, and suicide prevention initiatives. Programming will be delivered in-person or via video for accessibility, with DPS&C required to create implementing rules. This bill focuses on expanding access to support services within correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Marcus Bryant (D) · 18 co-sponsors

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 622: CRIMINAL/RECORDS: Provides relative to the confidentiality of criminal history records

HB 622 modifies Louisiana law to strengthen confidentiality around criminal history records used in employment background checks. It requires employers to obtain their own criminal history checks (via state and federal systems) and prohibits sharing these records with other employers or individuals without the applicant’s written consent or a court order. Employers must destroy these records one year after an employee’s termination, except when an applicant gives written permission for a health provider to share the check. The bill also ensures compliance with federal regulations like the FBI’s criminal justice information policies, without creating new penalties or changing criminal law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 271: EDUCATION: Creates the Louisiana Commission on Foundational Education and abolishes the Louisiana Literacy Advisory Commission (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 271 creates the Louisiana Commission on Foundational Education to evaluate and recommend improvements for K-8 foundational literacy and numeracy programs, replacing the dissolved Louisiana Literacy Advisory Commission. The new commission, composed of diverse stakeholders including educators, parents, state officials, and experts, will research education policies, analyze data, and develop evidence-based recommendations for early education practices. It must submit annual reports to the governor, legislature, and education boards, with the state Department of Education providing staff support and transferring the old commission's records. The bill directly affects Louisiana's K-8 education system by establishing a permanent advisory body focused on early skill development.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 321: HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Provides relative to victims of human trafficking and prostitution offenses (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 321 creates legal protections for victims of human trafficking who committed prostitution-related offenses. It establishes an affirmative defense allowing victims (both minors and adults) to avoid prosecution for crimes like prostitution (R.S. 14:82) or solicitation (R.S. 14:83) if those acts resulted directly from trafficking. The bill also presumes children engaged in prostitution are trafficking victims, exempting them from prosecution and requiring referral to specialized services for sexually exploited children. Adults determined to be trafficking victims must be notified about available support services, while children automatically qualify for existing victim assistance programs under Louisiana law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Vanessa LaFleur (D) · 57 co-sponsors

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 475: HEALTH CARE/PROVIDERS: Requires a healthcare provider to obtain a patient's consent prior to recording a medical visit

HB 475 requires healthcare providers in Louisiana to obtain a patient's verbal consent before using artificial intelligence to transcribe medical appointments or treatments. If a patient declines consent, providers must conduct the appointment without AI transcription. This bill directly affects licensed healthcare professionals and their patients by establishing a clear consent process for AI-assisted documentation. The key provision mandates that providers cannot use AI transcription tools without explicit patient agreement, with an opt-out option ensuring no forced use of the technology. The legislation focuses solely on the consent requirement for AI transcription, not general recording practices.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Bill results