HB 676 prohibits paying or receiving money for referring patients to substance abuse, mental health, or substance use disorder treatment facilities, defining this practice as "body brokering." It bans kickbacks tied to referral volume, treatment duration, or service type, but allows fixed payments unrelated to these factors. Violators face up to 5 years in prison, $50,000 fines, license suspension, or civil penalties. The law directly affects health care providers, facilities, and entities involved in patient referrals for substance use disorder treatment.
This bill establishes governance standards for risk retention groups licensed in the state, requiring them to maintain rules similar to those set by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The change directly affects insurance companies operating as risk retention groups within the state by setting clear regulatory expectations for their internal management and oversight. By aligning state requirements with national industry standards, the legislation aims to ensure consistent governance practices across the insurance sector. This provision does not alter licensing procedures or financial requirements, focusing solely on governance compliance for these specific types of insurance entities.
HB 568 increases penalties for drug offenses near schools in Louisiana. It directly affects individuals who sell, use, or vape drugs on school property, within 2,000 feet of school grounds, or on school buses. Key provisions include doubling fines, adding mandatory prison time (up to 1 year) without parole or probation for certain violations, and requiring fines up to $1,000. The bill modifies existing drug laws to strengthen enforcement in school zones.
HB 825 requires Louisiana's insurance commissioner to create a dedicated section on the department's website with information about stated value homeowner's insurance policies. The bill mandates that this information be distributed directly to homeowners at least once every two years via mail, email, or other appropriate methods. It directly affects Louisiana homeowners who purchase or hold stated value homeowner's insurance policies by ensuring they receive regular, clear information about these policies. The bill focuses on improving transparency and consumer access to policy-related information, without changing the insurance policy terms themselves.
HB 721 modifies Louisiana's commercial shrimp harvesting rules by allowing licensed shrimpers to begin trawling in Vermilion Bay, East Cote Blanche Bay, and West Cote Blanche Bay at 5:30 a.m. during open seasons, instead of the previous nighttime ban. This change specifically affects commercial shrimp harvesters operating in those three bays, removing the prohibition on night shrimping that previously restricted operations from sunset to sunrise. The bill amends existing law (R.S. 56:499.4) to create this exception, while maintaining other nighttime restrictions in different areas like Atchafalaya Bay. The proposal is currently pending in the Natural Resources and Environment Committee after being prefied on February 27, 2026.
HB 636, the "Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act," requires Louisiana public colleges and universities to prevent, report, and respond to hazing involving student organizations. It defines hazing broadly (including physical brutality, dangerous activities, or substance consumption) and mandates annual hazing education for all students starting fall 2027, plus specific orientation education for new students. The bill also requires student organizations to report hazing incidents to both law enforcement and their institution, and institutions must document all actions and share full details with law enforcement. These provisions directly affect public postsecondary institutions, their students, and all student organizations, including fraternities, sororities, and clubs.
This bill updates Louisiana state laws to clarify the penalties the insurance commissioner can impose on insurers, insurance producers, claims adjusters, and related licensees for violating insurance regulations. It allows the commissioner to issue fines of up to $1,000 per violation, with an annual cap of $100,000 per entity, or to suspend or revoke licenses when violations are serious enough to warrant such action. The bill also gives the commissioner authority to order violators to stop their non-compliant activities and provides for administrative hearings if an affected party contests the penalty. Additionally, the legislation removes certain previous limitations on when the commissioner can impose fines and includes technical updates to existing statutes.
HB 519 requires Louisiana trial courts to follow specific ethical standards when appointing special masters in complex, consolidated cases involving shared factual questions. It mandates that such appointments comply with the state's Code of Judicial Conduct and federal rules (Fed. Civ. R. 53) for special masters, except where state law conflicts. The bill directly affects trial courts handling multi-case litigation, ensuring appointments meet consistent ethical and procedural standards. This change aims to standardize oversight for special masters without altering substantive case outcomes. The bill is procedural, focusing on appointment mechanics rather than new substantive law.
HB 535 simplifies paternity acknowledgment for parents using hospital-based programs in Louisiana. It requires both parents to sign the form, which must be notarized (replacing the previous need for two witnesses), making the signed document legally valid for changing a child's paternity record with the state. This applies to parents aged 18 or older who choose to acknowledge paternity through hospitals. Minors under 18 are excluded and must follow other legal procedures to establish paternity. The bill changes the process to streamline legal recognition without altering parental rights or responsibilities.
HB 857 requires seafood processors and distributors in Louisiana to clearly label products that are a mix of imported and domestic seafood. It mandates that if seafood is commingled (mixed), it must be labeled as such, not falsely marketed as entirely domestic. The law allows the Louisiana Department of Agriculture to test suspected mislabeled seafood and impose civil penalties on violators. This bill directly affects businesses handling seafood in the state and aims to prevent deceptive labeling practices. The bill is currently pending in committee and has not yet been enacted.
HB 574 amends Louisiana law to revise the membership requirements for the Mental Health Advocacy Service board of trustees. It specifies that the board will include representatives from designated law schools (Loyola, Southern University, LSU, and Tulane) and updated names for key organizations: the Louisiana Mental Health Association, Louisiana State Medical Society, and Louisiana State Bar Association. The bill does not create new services or funding but adjusts which entities serve on the governing board. This is a procedural change affecting the board's composition, not the service's operations.
HB 826 (Louisiana) would require that non-licensed professionals (like real estate agents or financial advisors) who refer customers to insurance salespeople cannot receive compensation based on the customer's eventual purchase or application. Instead, any referral fee must be a fixed amount, not tied to sales. The bill directly affects businesses or individuals making such referrals, ensuring their payment structure is separate from insurance sales outcomes. This change aims to prevent conflicts of interest in insurance referrals while maintaining clear rules for compensation. (Note: The bill is currently pending in committee as of February 2026.)
