Healthcare

passed both · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SCR 37: HEALTH CARE: Requests the surgeon general to develop a plan relative to informed consent.

This bill directs the state surgeon general to create a plan for updating Louisiana's informed consent procedures in medical and surgical settings. It specifically aims to address the lack of a current mechanism to review these procedures since the Medical Disclosure Panel last met in 2018. The legislation removes references to vaccinations from the scope and asks the surgeon general to include recommendations for improving the informed consent process.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens patient rights by updating informed consent procedures, a core component of ethical healthcare delivery.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 270: HEALTH CARE: Provides for access to medical marijuana for terminally ill patients in a healthcare facility. (8/1/26)

This bill allows terminally ill patients (with a prognosis of one year or less) in Louisiana healthcare facilities to use medical marijuana under specific conditions. It requires facilities to permit use while prohibiting smoking/vaping, documenting it in medical records, and storing it securely in locked containers. Facilities must follow state guidelines but are not required to provide recommendations or include marijuana in discharge plans. The law acknowledges federal Schedule I restrictions but mandates compliance with state rules, allowing temporary suspension if federal agencies take enforcement action against such facilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands healthcare access by enabling medical marijuana use for terminally ill patients in facilities, improving treatment options under specific conditions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 451: HEALTH CARE: Provides relative to newborn hearing screening. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE See Note)

This bill updates Louisiana's newborn hearing screening laws to modernize terminology and strengthen protections for infants with hearing loss. It establishes a formal Bill of Rights for deaf and hard-of-hearing children, ensuring they have access to adult role models and meaningful involvement in programs affecting their education. The legislation creates or updates an advisory council to oversee screening procedures, define hearing loss categories, and guide early intervention services. By clarifying definitions and expanding the legal framework, the bill aims to improve early detection and support for infants at risk of hearing disabilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens newborn hearing screening laws, establishes rights for deaf children, and creates advisory council to improve early intervention services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed both · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HCR 90: SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Designates May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Louisiana

This bill designates May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Louisiana to promote public understanding of mental wellness. It encourages citizens, government agencies, businesses, and schools to increase awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. The resolution does not allocate funding or change laws but serves as a formal recognition to support community efforts in mental health education.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill designates Mental Health Awareness Month to promote understanding and reduce stigma, directly supporting mental health services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HCR 88: SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes April 28, 2026, as Nurses Day and May 6 through May 12, 2026, as National Nurses Week in Louisiana

This bill designates April 28, 2026, as Nurses Day and May 6 through May 12, 2026, as National Nurses Week in Louisiana. It directly affects the over 66,000 registered nurses licensed in the state by officially recognizing their contributions to healthcare. The resolution serves as a formal acknowledgment of the nursing profession's role in promoting ethical care and supporting public health initiatives. No changes to laws, funding, or regulations are made; the measure is purely commemorative.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill formally recognizes nurses' contributions to healthcare and public health, strengthening professional acknowledgment without restricting or defunding services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Louisiana · Senate May 20, 2026

SCR 2: HOSPITALS: Amends rules relative to certain licensure requirements of hospitals.

This bill updates the architectural design standards that hospitals in Louisiana must follow when applying for licensure. It requires hospital plans to comply with the most recent edition of the Facility Guidelines Institute standards, which are updated every four years rather than being stuck at the 2014 version. The change ensures that the state uses current building guidelines when reviewing hospital construction and renovation projects. This amendment directly affects hospital administrators, architects, and the Louisiana Department of Health, which oversees hospital licensing. The bill is a procedural update to administrative rules rather than a new policy initiative.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill updates hospital architectural standards to current guidelines, improving facility quality and patient safety in healthcare settings.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 26: HEALTH SERVICES: Provides relative to opioid treatment programs. (gov sig)

SB 26 repeals two Louisiana statutes (R.S. 40:2116(B)(5) and 2159) that required facility need reviews for opioid treatment programs. This bill directly affects opioid treatment facilities in Louisiana by removing a specific administrative review requirement. The key change is eliminating the need for these facilities to undergo a separate review process before operating, streamlining their regulatory compliance under state law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves administrative barriers for opioid treatment facilities, advancing rehabilitation programs aligned with criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves administrative review requirement for opioid treatment facilities, streamlining operations and improving access to healthcare services under public health programs.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 195: HEALTH CARE: Provides relative to the administration of medications. (8/1/26)

SB 195, the "Danny's Dose EMS Treatment Act," allows licensed EMTs, advanced EMTs, and paramedics to administer a patient's own time-critical prescription medications during emergencies. It specifically applies to patients with rare diseases, chronic illnesses, or special medical needs who request it, using only intranasal, intravenous, or intramuscular medications. The bill establishes commission protocols for this practice and grants immunity from liability for EMTs unless gross negligence occurs. This directly affects emergency medical personnel and patients requiring immediate access to their prescribed medications outside standard hospital settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows EMTs to administer patients' own critical meds in emergencies, improving access for chronic/special needs patients without new prescriptions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 275: HEALTH/ACC INSURANCE: Provides for reimbursement rates of services provided by CRNAs within their lawful scope of practice. (1/1/27)

SB 275 requires Louisiana health insurers to reimburse certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) at the same rate as physicians for identical services performed within a CRNA's scope of practice, regardless of billing codes. It also prohibits insurers from denying CRNAs network inclusion solely based on their provider type or licensure. The law applies to new insurance policies issued on or after January 1, 2027, and existing policies must comply by January 1, 2028. This directly affects insurers, CRNAs, and patients seeking anesthesia services covered under these plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires equal reimbursement for CRNAs vs. physicians and prohibits network exclusion, improving access to anesthesia services and protecting provider rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 310: SCHOOLS: Requires the posting of signs in student health centers at public schools, colleges, and universities to provide information on available pregnancy resources. (gov sig) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 310, the "Signs of Hope Act," requires all public high school and college/university student health centers in Louisiana to display specific signs about pregnancy resources. The signs must read "Pregnant? Help Is Available for You and Your Baby!" with a website link to Louisiana Department of Health pregnancy resources, measure at least 16x20 inches, use large readable text, and include color graphics. These signs must be placed in patient admission areas, waiting rooms, and consultation rooms by health center staff. The Louisiana Department of Health designs the signs but may accept donated signs or use donated funds to cover costs, without requiring state funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates signage in student health centers directing to existing pregnancy resources, improving access to public health services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare