SB 5 regulates artificial intelligence mental health chatbots operating in Louisiana. It requires operators to clearly disclose upfront that the chatbot is AI (not human), provide crisis protocols for suicidal thoughts or self-harm (e.g., connecting to hotlines), and prohibit sharing users' personal health data without consent. The bill also bans using user input to target ads for products/services (except for the chatbot itself) and restricts in-chat advertising without clear disclosure of sponsorships. These rules apply specifically to chatbots marketed as providing mental health therapy or treatment, directly affecting operators and users in Louisiana.
This Louisiana constitutional amendment bill proposes changing the state constitution to allow parishes to increase the homestead property tax exemption cap from $7,500 to $12,500 for qualifying homeowners. The exemption applies to primary residences, including mobile homes, covering up to $12,500 of a property's assessed value, with parishes setting the exact amount within that limit. If approved by voters in the November 2026 election, the change would take effect January 1, 2027.
SB 9 expands eligibility for Louisiana's Sheriffs' Pension and Relief Fund to include deputies (including those in Orleans Parish) and court criers (for the Civil District Court and Supreme Court) who are at least 18 years old and earn a minimum monthly salary. It amends existing law to automatically enroll qualifying employees in the fund, provided their salary meets the threshold (specific amounts are referenced but not detailed in the text). The bill takes effect on June 30, 2026, or later if vetoed and overridden. This is a procedural change to fund membership rules, not a new benefit.
HB 14 amends Louisiana's Teachers' Retirement System to add a new beneficiary option (Option 5) for teachers designating children with permanent mental or physical disabilities as recipients of retirement benefits. It requires medical determination of the child's disability to occur before retirement, and if a teacher doesn't allocate at least half their reduced benefit to the disabled child, the system may deduct the cost of the medical evaluation from their benefits. This change directly affects teachers who wish to provide ongoing retirement support for disabled children through the system. The bill modifies existing beneficiary election rules (Options 2-4) by adding this disability-specific provision, with all designated benefits requiring actuarial equivalence certification.
HB 40 modifies payment requirements for unfunded retirement liabilities when municipal police departments transfer employees between participating employers in Louisiana's Municipal Police Employees' Retirement System. It requires the retirement system to determine whether a transferring department would have partially dissolved without the employee transfer. If dissolution would have occurred regardless, the transferring department must pay liabilities based on remaining employees; if dissolution wouldn't have happened without the transfer, no payment is required. This directly affects municipal police departments participating in the retirement system during departmental reorganizations. The bill focuses on clarifying payment obligations under specific transfer scenarios.
HB 30 requires municipalities employing police officers (covered by federal Social Security) to provide annual retirement education for key staff, including mayors, payroll officers, and police chiefs. The education, provided free by the retirement system board, covers system rules, Social Security interactions, retirement plan options, and common compliance errors. Municipalities must ensure this training is completed yearly, with noncompliance leading to corrective actions like additional training or formal notices. This bill focuses on improving understanding of retirement system requirements for participating local governments.
HB 26 defines when a municipality's police department is considered "partially dissolved" under Louisiana's Municipal Police Employees' Retirement System: if the number of participating police employees drops by at least 51% between June 30th of consecutive years. If this trigger occurs, the employer (municipality) must pay the system's unfunded accrued liability (unpaid costs). The bill directly affects municipalities operating police departments covered by this retirement system. It modifies existing rules to clarify the conditions and financial obligations for employers facing significant reductions in their police workforce.
HB 11 designates October 14th each year as a day of remembrance for Charlie Kirk across Louisiana. The bill creates no new laws or policies, merely establishing a ceremonial observance. It directly affects the state of Louisiana by requiring official recognition of this day. As a commemorative measure, it has no regulatory or financial impact on individuals or organizations.
HB 37 prohibits foreign-owned companies without reciprocal expropriation agreements with the U.S. from taking private property in Louisiana for public projects like pipelines, utilities, or transportation infrastructure. It amends Louisiana’s expropriation law (R.S. 19:2) to require such agreements before foreign entities can use this legal process to acquire land. This directly affects foreign corporations seeking to build or operate projects in Louisiana that rely on expropriation authority, such as natural gas pipelines or carbon dioxide storage facilities. The bill applies to all sectors covered by existing expropriation rules, including energy, transportation, and public utilities, but does not restrict domestic entities or foreign entities with valid reciprocal agreements.
HB 38 amends Louisiana law to clarify what constitutes "child sexual abuse materials," directly affecting creators, distributors, and law enforcement handling such content involving minors. The bill specifically adds "deepfake" to the definition, meaning AI-generated or manipulated videos/images depicting minors in sexual contexts are now included. It excludes political commentary, satire, parody, or news content that clearly discloses it is not real. The law defines "deepfake" as digitally altered media that falsely appears authentic to a reasonable observer, but excludes material with clear context or disclosure. This change updates criminal definitions without altering penalties for existing violations.
HB 63 repeals an existing bail procedure law (Code of Criminal Procedure Article 331(G)) and establishes new rules for two key areas: when a defendant's name is entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) registry and how bail obligations are discharged. The bill directly affects criminal defendants (whose names may be added to the NCIC database) and law enforcement agencies that use the NCIC system for warrant checks and criminal history searches. It replaces current procedures with updated requirements for NCIC registry placement, which determines when a defendant's information becomes accessible to police nationwide. The bill is currently pending in the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
HB 60 amends Louisiana's disturbing the peace statute to specifically address disruptions at religious gatherings. It prohibits intentionally entering a church or place of worship during a service with the intent to create a disturbance, including violent behavior, excessively loud noise, or physical obstruction that materially disrupts the service (e.g., stopping the service, causing delays, or dispersing attendees). The bill defines "substantial disturbance" as materially disrupting participants' ability to engage in the service. Penalties include up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both for the basic offense, with enhanced penalties for using weapons or acting in concert. The law explicitly excludes constitutionally protected peaceful activities that do not substantially disrupt worship.
