Louisiana Bills

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 56: LEVEES: Provides for the reorganization of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West Bank and the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District. (8/1/26)

SB 56 reorganizes Louisiana's flood protection governance by renaming the "Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West Bank and Lafitte Area Independent Levee District" to "Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West Bank." It directly affects Jefferson Parish residents within specific geographic boundaries (north of 29°17'52" N and south of 29°47'00" N latitude). Key changes include increasing the board of commissioners from 7 to 9 members, requiring specific geographic representation (e.g., 2 from Jefferson West Bank, 1 from Lafitte Area), and setting term limits. The reorganization takes effect on August 1, 2026, streamlining oversight for flood protection in the region.

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 243: DISTRICT ATTORNEYS: Provides relative to the appointment of a substitute for a recused district attorney

HB 243 addresses the process when a district attorney must step aside (recuse) from a case. It requires the trial judge to either appoint a qualified substitute attorney or notify the state attorney general, who must then appoint a staff member or another district attorney to replace the recused official. The appointed substitute gains all the legal authority of the original district attorney for that specific case. This bill streamlines the replacement process without changing substantive law.

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 196: TEACHERS/LEAVE: Provides relative to personal leave days for teachers (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 196 amends Louisiana law (R.S. 17:1208) to establish that public school teachers (excluding those with annual leave) may use up to eight personal leave days per school year without pay loss. Teachers must provide 24 hours' notice to their principal, and this leave is deducted from their current year's sick leave balance. The bill specifies that personal leave cannot be carried over to future years or paid out upon retirement or death. It directly affects Louisiana public school teachers by clarifying their personal leave entitlements and integration with existing sick leave policies.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 83: SCHOOLS: Provides for training to prevent human trafficking at public elementary and secondary schools and provides for victims' services. (gov sig) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 83 requires Louisiana public school boards to adopt human trafficking prevention policies starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Each school must designate at least one employee (a counselor, mental health professional, or administrator) to complete annual training on identifying trafficking indicators, reporting requirements, and victim resources, with the state providing training options. The bill also expands victim services by directing the Department of Children and Family Services to develop coordinated care plans for child and youth trafficking victims, including access to health, housing, and legal support. Charter schools are specifically exempt from most public school mandates but must comply with this training requirement (R.S. 3996(B)(92)). Annual reports on victim services and trafficking investigations will be submitted to the governor’s office and legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 134: CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Provides that certain crimes relative to child sexual abuse materials do not apply to persons under 17 under certain circumstances. (8/1/26)

This bill modifies Louisiana law to exempt individuals under 17 from certain child sexual abuse materials charges when they create or possess such materials without intending to gain something of value or secure a privilege. It specifies that the standard offense provisions do not apply to minors in these circumstances, instead directing that related rules (R.S. 14:81.1.1) govern such cases. The law directly affects minors under 17 who share or possess explicit materials for personal reasons, not for commercial gain or advantage. It does not change penalties for adults or cases involving minors who seek something in return.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 143: LAW ENFORCEMENT: Provides relative to funding of bulletproof vests for peace officers. (gov sig) (EN SEE FISC NOTE EX)

SB 143 requires Louisiana's Department of Public Safety to provide bulletproof vests to all "peace officers" (full-time state, municipal, sheriff, or public agency employees whose duties include enforcing laws and making arrests) upon request. It creates a dedicated "Special Protective Equipment Fund" to finance the vests, funded annually by $8.5 million from the state general fund starting July 2026, plus donations or grants. The bill mandates vests meet U.S. Department of Justice standards and must be wholly manufactured in countries part of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This law directly affects all eligible law enforcement personnel by ensuring access to standardized protective gear through state-funded provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Rick Edmonds (R) · 25 co-sponsors

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 152: FOOD SAFETY: Prohibits certain actions with respect to cell cultured food products for human consumption. (8/1/26)

SB 152, if enacted, would prohibit the sale, manufacture, distribution, or advertising of cell-cultured food products (defined as animal tissue grown from cells outside the organism) for human consumption in Louisiana. It directly affects food businesses and manufacturers producing or selling these products within the state. The bill establishes civil penalties of up to $500 per violation, with enforcement handled by the commissioner through administrative hearings and potential court actions. This proposed legislation is currently pending referral to the Health and Welfare Committee and has not yet become law.

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 145: HEALTH SERVICES: Provides relative to adult residential care providers. (gov sig)

SB 145 requires all licensed adult residential care facilities in Louisiana to install and maintain a backup generator or approved alternative power source. This system must provide continuous electricity for critical functions during outages, including life safety systems, medical equipment, water/sanitation systems, medication storage, and specific HVAC requirements (50% for pre-2026 facilities, 90% for post-2026 facilities). Facilities must have fuel for 72 hours of continuous operation, with fuel delivery agreements extending to 168 hours, and must submit annual emergency plans if granted a waiver for space constraints. The law applies directly to all licensed adult residential care providers in Louisiana, with compliance required by December 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Glen Womack (R) · 19 co-sponsors

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 198: HISTORIC PRESERVATION: Provides relative to historic district commission powers. (8/1/26)

SB 198 clarifies and expands the authority of historic district commissions in Louisiana. It requires all government agencies (state or local) to consult with these commissions before making exterior changes to historic landmarks or structures in designated districts, and mandates a "Certificate of Appropriateness" for such modifications unless waived. The bill also grants commissions the power to take legal action, including seeking court orders, to enforce these requirements. This directly affects property owners and government agencies working on historic sites within designated districts.

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 194: FUNDS/FUNDING: Requires the referral of applicants who fail citizenship or immigration verification to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE See Note)

SB 194 requires Louisiana state agencies to verify the U.S. citizenship or "satisfactory immigration status" of applicants for Medicaid, SNAP, and other public benefits like housing or food assistance. If verification fails after a single reasonable opportunity period, the state must refer the applicant's information to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and terminate benefits. The bill specifies that "satisfactory immigration status" includes lawful permanent residents, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and those under Compact of Free Association agreements. Agencies must also provide monthly reports to the Secretary of State for voter list maintenance and submit annual reports to legislators on enforcement actions. This bill directly affects individuals applying for federal or state public benefits who cannot prove citizenship or qualifying immigration status.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Healthcare ✗ Immigration

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 189: ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL: Prohibits the intentional release or dispersion, by burning of fuel, of chemicals into the environment of this state with the express purpose of affecting temperature. (8/1/26)

SB 189 prohibits intentionally releasing chemicals into Louisiana's atmosphere - through methods like burning fuel - to directly affect temperature, weather, climate, or sunlight. It applies to anyone conducting such releases within the state for these specific purposes. The bill explicitly excludes fire retardants or agricultural applications (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides) when used below 1,000 feet above ground. The bill is currently prefiled for the 2026 legislative session and has not yet been debated or voted on.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 197: COURTS: Reduces number of judges on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal. (2/3-CA5s9) (gov sig) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 197 reduces the number of judges on Louisiana's Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal from 12 to 8. It changes the election structure, specifying that five judges will be elected (from districts and at-large) instead of the current eight. The bill ensures current judges serving terms ending after 2026 may complete their full terms without new elections for specific seats. This is a procedural change to court staffing, not a direct policy affecting citizens or new laws. The bill is currently in the prefiling stage.

Bill results