SB 222 streamlines Medicaid behavioral health services in Louisiana by removing unnecessary administrative barriers for providers. It prohibits requiring pre-employment reference letters (§302), eliminates most CPR/first aid certification demands for staff (§303), aligns documentation timelines with federal standards (§305), and allows physician assistants with specific experience to serve as medical directors (§307). The bill also requires the state to seek federal approval for telehealth reimbursement of psychosocial services by July 2026 (§308). These changes directly affect Medicaid behavioral health providers, aiming to reduce duplication and expand workforce flexibility while maintaining care quality.
SB 233 establishes the Louisiana Statewide Data Exchange Compact, creating a standardized framework for secure data sharing between state agencies. It requires the Office of Technology Services to administer the compact, which agencies can voluntarily join to share sensitive information while meeting legal data security requirements. The compact mandates that participating agencies implement safeguards to protect confidentiality, integrity, and availability of shared data. This applies to all state departments, boards, universities, and other covered agencies that choose to adopt the agreement.
SB 236 requires the Louisiana Department of Health to annually review Medicaid coverage for medications and treatments for chronic and rare kidney diseases, ensuring they meet patient needs. It mandates public input during these reviews and directs the department to partner with kidney disease organizations to boost education and early screening. The bill also requires an annual report to the legislature by January 15 each year, detailing review findings and recommendations. This affects Medicaid enrollees diagnosed with kidney disease in Louisiana by improving access to appropriate care and promoting early detection. The law focuses on systematic reviews and transparency, not changing Medicaid eligibility or funding.
SB 258 changes Louisiana law to require that 17-year-olds and older be prosecuted in district court for traffic offenses, rather than juvenile court. It amends the Children's Code by redefining "delinquent act" to include traffic violations for individuals under 17, meaning traffic offenses committed by 17- to 20-year-olds will now be treated as criminal matters in adult court. The bill directly affects teens aged 17-20 who commit traffic violations, shifting their cases from juvenile proceedings to standard criminal prosecution. This change removes the previous exclusion of traffic violations from juvenile court jurisdiction for this age group. The bill is currently prefiled and awaiting committee referral.
SB 273 establishes new requirements for hospice care provided in non-hospice inpatient facilities like nursing homes and assisted living centers in Louisiana. It mandates written care plans for hospice patients detailing providers, care responsibilities, and family contacts; requires facilities to notify hospice providers and families during transfers; and creates patient logs tracking hydration/nutrition decisions and family communication. The bill directly affects hospice patients, their families, and facility staff by clarifying accountability and communication protocols during care. The Louisiana Department of Health will oversee compliance, investigate complaints, and enforce penalties for violations of these provisions.
SB 280 requires contractors to hold specific licenses for certain well-related work starting July 1, 2026. It directly affects contractors who advertise, bid, or perform construction, repair, or maintenance on water wells (for drinkable or non-drinkable water) or environmental wells (for sampling/assessment), if the project is valued at $1 or more. The bill defines "well drilling" to include both environmental and water well work, and mandates that licensed contractors must hold the appropriate classification for these projects. This creates a new licensing requirement for these specific services, replacing previous standards for well-related contracting.
SB 303 allows Louisiana state and local government agencies (like schools, hospitals, and departments) to purchase information technology systems through cooperative agreements. Instead of each agency running its own separate bidding process, agencies can join group contracts with other public entities or access existing IT systems from external providers without full competitive bidding. This applies specifically to systems originally acquired through competitive procurement by another entity, with the purchasing agency paying a share of the costs. The bill directly changes how public agencies buy IT services, aiming to streamline procurement while maintaining competitive origins for the underlying systems.
SB 307 would authorize the display of the Ten Commandments as a historical monument on Louisiana State Capitol grounds, alongside other documents like the Mayflower Compact and the Declaration of Independence. The bill requires that such displays include context documents explaining their historical significance to the legal and cultural heritage of Louisiana and the U.S., and mandates that private donations fund the monument without state cost. It references Supreme Court rulings (Van Orden v. Perry and American Legion v. American Humanists Association) that permit religious historical displays on government property when privately funded. The commissioner of administration would oversee the installation, with the bill explicitly prohibiting state funding for the monument.
SB 304 establishes new rules for accrediting Louisiana's public colleges and universities, giving the Board of Regents authority to set accreditation policies. It directly affects all public postsecondary institutions and their management boards (like those for LSU, Southern University, and community colleges). Key provisions require institutions to get management board approval before switching accreditors, mandate that new accreditors must prioritize student success, educational quality, affordability, and financial stability, and prohibit any accreditor from conditioning accreditation on legal violations. The bill also requires institutions to publicly post accreditation status updates on their websites.
SB 288 amends Louisiana law to update background check procedures for security licensing, employment, and college hiring. It requires fingerprinting and FBI national criminal history checks for applicants seeking security licenses, jobs, or college positions, allowing the State Board of Private Security Examiners, employers (with written consent), and colleges to access criminal history records from the state bureau. The bill also restricts the release of expunged criminal records, prohibiting private entities from receiving them while permitting public organizations (like schools or nonprofits) to access them only when providing strong evidence they protect vulnerable groups like children or the elderly. These changes clarify who can request checks, how records are shared, and limit access to expunged information.
SB 291 updates Louisiana's architecture licensing laws by creating the State Board of Architectural Examiners to regulate the profession. It directly affects individual architects and architectural firms practicing in Louisiana, requiring them to obtain a license before offering services like building design, construction planning, or space coordination. Key provisions include defining the "practice of architecture" (covering design, drawings, and construction oversight), establishing licensing requirements for individuals and firms, setting up the Board's composition and authority, and outlining enforcement for violations. The bill also clarifies that nonlicensed individuals may perform certain services like feasibility studies without affecting the core regulatory framework.
SB 287 regulates virtual currency kiosks in Louisiana by requiring operators to: (1) process cancellation/refund requests within 10 business days and complete refunds within 90 days; (2) provide live toll-free phone support during operating hours; (3) disclose transaction terms, including a 72-hour cancellation window before irreversible transactions; and (4) issue detailed receipts showing refund policies, fees, and complaint contacts. It directly affects kiosk operators and customers using virtual currency services. The bill mandates quarterly reports to the financial institutions commissioner tracking all customer cancellation requests. These provisions aim to enhance consumer transparency and recourse for virtual currency transactions.
