This bill requires nursing homes in Louisiana to have a permanently installed generator or alternative power source on-site to ensure electricity during emergencies. Facilities must store fuel or other power generation materials either on-site or ensure they are delivered before any emergency occurs. The law updates existing regulations to mandate these backup power capabilities for nursing facilities. This change directly affects nursing home operators who must now maintain specific power infrastructure and fuel supplies. The legislation focuses on improving emergency preparedness without specifying particular outcomes or advocating for a particular viewpoint.
This bill updates the rules for licensing occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in Louisiana. It requires applicants to pass a national certification exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and establishes specific fees for applying for and renewing licenses. The legislation also creates several pathways to waive the exam requirement, including for those already certified before the law takes effect, those licensed in other states with equivalent standards, state employees in specific therapy roles, and graduates of member nations of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. Additionally, it exempts therapists working in state facilities or agencies from continuing education requirements and clarifies the professional titles and abbreviations that licensed individuals may use.
HB 352 requires Louisiana public school districts to create and publish policies enabling behavioral health services for students during school hours. It allows services in classrooms during instructional time (including core subjects) if parents provide a provider-approved evaluation and treatment plan showing medical necessity, with in-person supervision by certified behavior analysts required. The bill defines key terms like "medically necessary services" and mandates that schools collaborate with providers to schedule services without disrupting school operations or testing. It directly affects public school students needing behavioral health support, their parents, school administrators, and behavioral health providers.
HB 1199 mandates that health insurance plans cover genetic testing and treatments for SCN2A-associated medical conditions without imposing cost-sharing fees on members who are covered under their policy. The bill requires insurers to include these specific services in their coverage without charging patients a portion of the cost. This legislation directly affects individuals with SCN2A-related conditions and the health insurance providers who must adjust their benefit structures accordingly.
HB 1160 amends the laws governing rural physician licenses by updating specific terminology and clarifying the requirements for obtaining such licenses. The bill modifies the definition of a medical degree and adds language to ensure that licensing determinations are both approved and adopted through established administrative processes. It also changes the conditions under which a physician can be licensed, requiring them to meet a specific set of criteria rather than a single provision. These changes directly affect doctors practicing in rural areas and the state agencies responsible for issuing their medical licenses.
This bill amends Louisiana law to require the Medicaid program to cover continuous glucose monitors for pregnant women with diabetes who use insulin more than twice daily or have experienced severe low blood sugar. The change specifically includes gestational diabetes, ensuring that eligible expectant mothers receive access to these monitoring devices as part of their treatment plan. By updating the state's Medicaid statutes, the legislation directly affects pregnant enrollees and the healthcare providers who administer their care.
This bill, known as the Nursing Home Choice Act, requires Louisiana to provide counseling and alternative options to residents and families of nursing homes that receive the lowest one-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. When a facility is rated one star, staff must offer immediate access to community-based services or transfer residents to a higher-rated nursing home, and potential residents must be notified before placement to explore alternatives. The law also mandates that one-star facilities submit a remediation plan with specific improvement targets within 30 days, provide quarterly progress reports, and face additional monitoring and potential sanctions if they fail to improve their rating within two years. These requirements apply to all nursing homes with a one-star rating on October 1, 2026, and remain in effect until the facility achieves a rating of two stars or higher.
This bill establishes the Louisiana Medical Debt Protection Act to limit how medical creditors and debt collectors can pursue unpaid medical bills for medically necessary care. It directly affects consumers who owe money for healthcare services, including prescription drugs and transportation to medical appointments. The law caps interest on such debt at two percent per annum, prohibits wage garnishment and liens on primary homes or vehicles unless income exceeds four times the federal poverty level, and requires contracts with debt collectors to include specific restrictions. Violations can result in civil penalties, public complaints filed with the attorney general, and private lawsuits allowing recovery of damages and attorney fees.
This bill requires healthcare facilities in Louisiana to provide specific behavioral health services to patients admitted under emergency certificates. Upon admission, facilities must conduct a behavioral health evaluation within 72 hours and contact the patient's primary healthcare provider to review treatment history. At discharge, staff must notify healthcare professionals about the patient's release, provide a medical summary to follow-up providers, distribute educational materials about warning signs and privacy rights, and ensure patients receive at least a 14-day medication supply. The law also mandates that the Louisiana Department of Health create and publish these educational documents for patients and their families.
HB 775 modifies Louisiana law to expand when minors can consent to medical care without parental permission. It allows minors aged 13-17 to consent to treatment for pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, substance misuse, and certain emergencies (like abuse or neglect), while requiring parental access to medical records. The bill also prohibits schools or facilities from providing preventive care to minors without parental consent and shields healthcare providers from liability for following these rules. It repeals prior provisions that permitted broader minor consent or school-based care without parental involvement. This directly affects minors, parents/guardians, healthcare providers, and schools in Louisiana.
