HB 169 adds a new condition for both probation and parole in Louisiana: individuals must waive extradition to Louisiana from any U.S. or international jurisdiction and agree not to contest being returned. This applies to anyone on probation or parole who leaves Louisiana, requiring them to pay the full cost of extradition (based on their ability to pay) if returned from outside the state. The bill amends Louisiana law to include this requirement as a standard condition during probation or parole placement. It directly affects individuals under probation or parole supervision who travel outside Louisiana, imposing a financial obligation for their return. The law aims to streamline the return process for offenders who leave the state.
SB 102 creates new lawsuit rights for licensed motor vehicle dealers and qualifying trade associations under Louisiana's Motor Vehicle Commission Law. It allows dealers to sue manufacturers or distributors for violations of the law to seek actual damages, triple damages for willful violations, and attorney fees. Trade associations may also sue for declaratory or injunctive relief (but not monetary damages) if they meet specific criteria, such as representing at least 100 dealers and having germane interests. The bill removes certain requirements related to dealer-operator designations and streamlines licensing changes for affiliated dealers. This directly affects dealers and associations operating in Louisiana's motor vehicle and recreational products industry.
SB 109 changes the membership rules for Louisiana's Emergency Medical Services Commission. The bill specifies that the 12-member commission must include two ambulance administrators (one private sector, one public sector), two paramedics and one EMT educator (nominated by the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association), and one state-certified EMT (nominated by the Louisiana Municipal Association). These appointments are made by the governor based on nominations from specific organizations. The bill directly affects how the commission is staffed but does not alter emergency medical services policy or funding.
SB 112 allows Louisiana public school boards to adopt policies enabling K-12 students to attend off-campus religious instruction during school hours, subject to written parental consent and specific requirements. The bill requires schools to provide parents with forms detailing liability waivers (shifting responsibility to sponsoring religious organizations for injuries during transportation or instruction) and mandates that courses last 1-5 hours weekly. It also specifies that school boards must maintain attendance records and prohibits schools from using property for such courses unless they follow neutral equal-access policies for all community groups. This legislation aligns with a 1952 U.S. Supreme Court ruling permitting parental-approved religious education outside school hours.
SB 111 sets daily catch limits and minimum size requirements for recreational fishing of black bass and crappie in a defined area of south-central Louisiana. It prohibits taking more than five black bass (each at least 14 inches long) or 25 crappie (each at least 8 inches long) in a single day within specified boundaries south of US 190, east of the levee, and north of US 90. The bill directly affects recreational anglers fishing in that geographic region and prohibits possessing finfish filets. These changes would become effective August 1, 2026.
SB 133 requires commercial vehicle operators to submit written certification to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections before operating self-driving or remotely controlled commercial vehicles without a driver in the cab. The bill designates this department as the sole agency responsible for overseeing these vehicles on Louisiana highways. It also maintains the existing rule prohibiting parking on highway shoulders except in emergencies. This law directly affects commercial trucking companies and businesses using autonomous or teleoperated vehicles.
SB 129 creates a special "Master Combat Infantryman" license plate for Louisiana motor vehicles. It is available only to veterans who hold the Combat Infantryman Badge plus one of three specific expert badges (Expert Infantryman, Expert Field Medical, or Expert Soldier Badge), as defined by Army regulations. The plate features the Army badge design in light blue and gold, with the title text, and follows existing fee structures for specialty plates. The license plate must be returned upon the holder's death, but may transfer to a surviving spouse who hasn't remarried.
SB 124 clarifies that peer review records for healthcare providers and facilities in Louisiana are confidential, meaning they cannot be disclosed in court or through discovery, except when a provider's professional privileges are under review. It defines a "health system" as two or more hospitals under common ownership and permits such systems to share peer review information among their own hospitals for credentialing, quality improvement, or patient safety purposes without losing confidentiality. The bill also shields healthcare providers and institutions from liability when sharing peer review information in good faith for these specific uses. This bill directly affects hospitals, health systems, and healthcare providers who participate in or are subject to peer review processes.
SB 151 requires Louisiana's Office of Motor Vehicles to flag driver's licenses for two specific groups: drivers with DNA matches in the state's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database, and individuals who legally owe the state a DNA sample to complete their profile. The bill mandates that state police create rules for this flagging system by January 1, 2027. It directly affects drivers whose cases involve unresolved DNA evidence or incomplete DNA profiles. The policy change is a procedural mechanism to improve law enforcement's ability to identify and contact these individuals. The bill is currently in the early stages of review.
SB 164 expands Louisiana's definition of "first responder" to include public works employees - specifically those maintaining municipal or parish infrastructure - who are only classified as first responders during governor-declared emergencies. The bill adds "public works employee" to statutory definitions, clarifying they qualify as first responders only for emergency response, recovery, and prevention activities under the governor's emergency declaration. It also permits public works employees to display "first responder" on their uniforms during such emergencies. These changes update existing statutes (R.S. 29:723, 29:739) to align definitions with emergency response protocols.
SB 156 increases the maximum prison sentence for negligent homicide from 10 to 15 years in certain cases. It specifically raises the maximum to 15 years for killing a child under 10, and to 40 years for offenders over 17 who cause the death of someone under 17 through intentional or negligent mistreatment. The bill also requires courts to explain in writing why they don't sentence offenders to prison when alcohol contributed to a vehicle-related death. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of negligent homicide, particularly in cases involving minors or alcohol-related incidents.
SB 169 requires health insurance plans in Louisiana to cover biomarker testing for patients needing personalized medical treatment, such as cancer care guided by genetic markers. It defines "clinical utility" through specific criteria to ensure tests are covered without unnecessary hurdles. The law prevents insurers from denying coverage based on laboratory classifications or unrelated credentialing, ensuring the test itself - not the lab - is the focus of coverage. This directly affects patients seeking biomarker tests and insurers, reducing the need for repeated biopsies by mandating seamless coverage.
