HB 317 prohibits Louisiana schools from assigning prekindergarten or kindergarten students to alternative schools for any disciplinary reason except when a student is suspended or expelled for serious misconduct involving drugs, weapons, assault, or battery. This directly affects young children in early education, preventing their placement in alternative schools for minor behavioral issues like disruptions or minor conflicts. The bill changes existing discipline practices by restricting alternative school assignments for these grades to only the most severe infractions defined in state law. It aims to limit early exclusion of very young students from mainstream learning environments.
HB 611 requires pregnancy help centers in Louisiana providing healthcare services - such as pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, or medical counseling - to obtain a license from the Louisiana Department of Health. Centers offering only non-medical services (like peer counseling or religious support) are exempt from licensing. The bill sets standards comparable to outpatient healthcare facilities, including staff qualifications, infection control, and client confidentiality, with enforcement through inspections and fines up to $5,000 per day for unlicensed operation. It explicitly does not require abortion services, regulate religious activities, or restrict non-healthcare-related speech.
HB 948, titled the "Parental Medical Decision Protection Act," protects parents' rights to make medical treatment decisions for their minor children, specifically regarding cancer care. It prohibits government agencies, courts, or healthcare facilities from investigating or taking action against parents who decline chemotherapy, seek second opinions, or pursue alternative treatments for non-emergency cancer cases. The law explicitly states such decisions cannot be deemed medical neglect and bars healthcare providers from reporting parents for these choices. Exceptions apply only in life-threatening emergencies requiring immediate treatment, where care is limited to addressing the emergency. The bill directly affects parents, guardians, and healthcare providers in Louisiana regarding minors' cancer treatment decisions.
HB 586 creates a new crime in Louisiana for adults who fail to secure a loaded firearm where a minor under 15 could access it, leading to the minor discharging the firearm (causing injury/death) or threatening behavior in public places/schools. It imposes penalties of up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. Key exceptions include minors accessing firearms for hunting, lawful self-defense, or if the firearm was unlawfully taken. The law defines "secure" as using a lock or trigger device and specifies "readily dischargeable" means a loaded firearm.
HB 418 requires Louisiana political subdivisions (like cities, parishes, or school boards) to defend and cover legal costs for their officials, officers, or employees when sued in their official capacity. It mandates that these entities pay for defense expenses, including attorney fees, if the person acted in good faith and reasonably believed their actions were in the subdivision's best interest - excluding cases involving malfeasance or intentional wrongdoing. The bill also allows political subdivisions to pay these costs in advance of a case's resolution and permits them to purchase insurance to cover potential liability for officials. This policy directly affects local government employees by providing legal protection for actions taken during job duties.
SB 358 creates a new insurance requirement for independent contractors in Louisiana, specifically providing occupational accident coverage to protect them if injured on the job. It defines "independent contractor" (excluding most manual labor) and mandates that contractors obtain private insurance meeting minimum standards: $1 million in medical benefits per injury, temporary disability payments, and death/disfigurement coverage. Principals (businesses hiring contractors) avoid liability as "statutory employers" if contractors maintain this coverage, have a written agreement, and retain control over work methods. The law directly affects independent contractors in construction, commercial driving, and equipment operation who currently lack workers' compensation protections.
HB 404 establishes a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program for incarcerated individuals in Louisiana state and local correctional facilities who have substance abuse disorders. The bill requires facilities to provide FDA-approved medications (like methadone or buprenorphine), individual treatment plans, counseling, and reentry support - including Medicaid enrollment assistance, housing/employment resources, and a one-week medication supply upon release. It mandates annual reporting on program effectiveness, including recidivism and health outcomes, and prohibits denying program access based on drug screenings or past disciplinary issues. The program directly affects all incarcerated people in Louisiana facilities with substance use disorders, aiming to improve treatment continuity and reduce relapse post-release.
SB 392 establishes rules for buying unclaimed property claims from sellers who have already paid the property to Louisiana's state treasurer (the administrator). It requires detailed documentation for purchase agreements, including seller identification, proof of ownership rights, business lien checks, and signed authority. The bill limits agreements to property already paid to the administrator and gives the treasurer authority to reject incomplete claims. These rules take effect January 1, 2027, and directly affect individuals or businesses purchasing unclaimed property claims.
HB 619 allows Louisiana's state treasurer to invest up to 5% of the Budget Stabilization Fund's balance in gold, silver, platinum, or digital assets (like cryptocurrency) meeting strict criteria. Specifically, digital assets must have a total market value exceeding $750 billion averaged over the prior year, and all investments must follow secure custody rules - such as using licensed custodians or approved digital storage solutions. The bill defines key terms like "digital assets" and "secure custody solution" to ensure assets are held safely and transparently. This directly affects how the state manages its savings fund, limiting investments to high-value, regulated assets while requiring robust security measures.
HB 918 requires Louisiana's Department of Health to create a list of "critical prescription drugs" based on factors like cost to Medicaid, usage, and availability of alternatives. Drug manufacturers must report detailed cost data (including production, R&D, marketing, and international pricing) for drugs on this list. The bill also mandates that marketing materials to healthcare providers include current wholesale prices for each drug. These transparency measures aim to inform pricing decisions without directly setting drug costs.
HB 375 limits liability for regional transit operators, such as streetcar and trolley car systems, by stating they cannot be held responsible for vehicle damage unless they acted intentionally or negligently. The bill creates a legal presumption that these transit vehicles are not defective and that operators did not act negligently, shifting the burden of proof to plaintiffs in related lawsuits. This directly affects transit agencies, their operators, and drivers involved in collisions with transit vehicles. The law aims to protect public transit operations from certain civil claims by establishing clearer liability standards.
HB 931 prohibits contractors or subcontractors receiving state funds through Louisiana's Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative from requiring clients to attend religious instruction, watch religious videos, or participate in religious services to access services. This directly affects organizations providing pregnancy and baby care services funded by the state. The bill mandates that the state department investigate complaints about violations, and contractors found noncompliant may face ineligibility, suspension, or a 90-day ban on future state funding. It ensures services remain accessible without religious conditions, applying specifically to this state-funded program.
