Healthcare

passed both · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HCR 28: NURSES: Creates the Task Force on School Nurse Orientation

This bill establishes a Task Force on School Nurse Orientation in Louisiana to create a training program for new registered nurses entering public schools. The task force will review existing orientation programs, identify essential skills for school nurses, and develop recommendations for standardized training and mentorship opportunities. It will consist of nine representatives from various organizations including nursing associations, education agencies, and health departments, and must begin its work by August 1, 2026. The group will submit its recommendations to the legislature and will dissolve once its work is complete or by February 12, 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates task force to improve school nurse training, enhancing student health support and educational environment in K-12 schools85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates task force to improve school nurse training and orientation, strengthening healthcare access and quality in schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Healthcare Workforce

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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

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medical Licensing

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in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1143: PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS: Provides relative to physician assistants

This bill updates Louisiana laws governing physician assistants by renaming the profession to "physician associate associate" and establishing an advisory committee to guide the State Board of Medical Examiners on licensing and regulation matters. The new advisory committee will include three physician associate associates appointed by the governor, with at least one member required to practice in a rural area with fewer than 20,000 people. Key provisions define supervision requirements, allowing physician associates to practice under a supervising physician's direction without needing physical presence as long as they can communicate via phone or other telecommunications. The legislation also modernizes existing statutes to clarify definitions, licensure requirements, and the board's authority while maintaining the requirement that physician associates work under physician supervision.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill updates physician assistant regulations, creates advisory committee with rural representation, and aims to improve healthcare workforce access and supervision standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 962: NURSES: Provides relative to reconstitution of medications for intravenous therapy

This bill updates Louisiana law to clarify the roles of nurses in administering medications within public health clinics. It allows registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and advanced practice registered nurses to insert subcutaneous medication implants and distribute certain medications for treating sexually transmitted diseases or preventing pregnancy under physician-approved protocols. Additionally, the bill permits these licensed nurses to administer reconstituted medications for intravenous therapy when used according to the medication's labeling, while explicitly stating that this process does not constitute compounding. The changes apply specifically to nurses employed by municipal, parochial, or state-operated public health clinics and require adherence to established procedures and protocols.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands nurses' scope of practice to improve patient access to healthcare services and treatment options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Public Health

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 25, 2026

HB 1028: MEDICAID: Requires the Louisiana Department of Health to increase the reimbursement rates for nonemergency medical transportation providers (EN +$2,601,174 GF EX See Note)

This bill requires the Louisiana Department of Health to set minimum reimbursement rates for nonemergency medical transportation services used by Medicaid recipients. It establishes a minimum payment of $14.50 per trip plus $2.10 per mile for transportation providers. The Louisiana Department of Health must implement these changes by October 1, 2026, through a Medicaid state plan amendment. This policy change directly affects transportation providers serving Medicaid patients and the state's healthcare administration.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases reimbursement rates for nonemergency medical transportation, improving patient access to healthcare services for Medicaid recipients.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases reimbursement rates for nonemergency medical transportation, directly funding and strengthening transportation services for Medicaid recipients.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

passed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 1125: INSURANCE/GROUP-STATE: Provides for participation by full-time firefighters in insurance programs offered by the state's Office of Group Benefits (RE INCREASE SG EX See Note)

This bill allows full-time firefighters in Louisiana local government fire departments to join state insurance programs if their employer chooses to participate. It defines eligible fire departments as any local organization whose main purpose is fire prevention and extinguishing, and requires that all employees and retirees in the same class be included if one firefighter participates. The law also grants credit for prior health insurance coverage during the period before the employer opts into the program, ensuring firefighters don't lose coverage history. Employers retain the discretion to decide whether to enroll their fire department staff in these benefits, with no legal barrier preventing such participation. The changes take effect on January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands health insurance coverage for firefighters by allowing them to participate in state insurance programs, improving access to healthcare benefits.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands health insurance benefits for firefighters by allowing participation in state insurance programs, strengthening worker benefits and protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 405: NURSING HOMES: Provides for a statewide quality oversight initiative for nursing facilities. (8/1/26) (EN GF EX See Note)

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves patient access to quality care by requiring alternatives for low-rated nursing homes and protecting resident rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid Medicare

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SB 426: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Provides relative to the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority. (2/3CA7s2.1(A)) (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE SG EX See Note)

This bill updates Louisiana laws governing the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority to establish a formal regulatory framework for addiction counseling professionals. It creates new categories of credentials including peer support specialists and peer support specialist associates, defining their roles, training requirements, and supervision needs. The legislation also introduces criminal background checks, renewal procedures, and fee structures for the board, while expanding definitions to include gambling addiction and co-occurring disorders. These changes aim to standardize how addiction counseling services are licensed and supervised in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes regulatory framework for addiction counseling professionals, creates new credential categories, and expands definitions to improve mental health service access and quality.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

passed · Louisiana · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 1030: MEDICAID: Provides relative to nonemergency medical transportation for individuals with mental illness (RE NO IMPACT See Note)

This bill allows mental health institutions in Louisiana to provide nonemergency medical transportation for their Medicaid patients using their own vehicles or contracted providers. It establishes that these transportation services will be reimbursed through Medicaid at the same rates as standard nonemergency medical transportation, with managed care organizations required to pay at least those rates directly to the institutions. The law specifically limits transportation to trips related to psychiatric services, such as admission, discharge, or travel between the institution and a patient's home, while excluding other medical services like dental or pharmacy visits. Institutions must still follow all existing state and federal safety and operational requirements for vehicles and drivers. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid transportation services for mental health patients, improving access to care and funding institutional transportation at standard rates.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1116: HEALTH/LDH: Provides relative to public health reviews conducted and public health guidance issued by the surgeon general

This bill establishes a formal process for the Louisiana Surgeon General to conduct public health reviews and issue guidance on health issues. It allows the Surgeon General to access medical records and health information from hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers when investigating public health concerns like disease outbreaks or health emergencies. The law requires the Office of Public Health to create procedures for requesting these reviews and mandates that all records and review conclusions remain confidential and protected from legal discovery. Additionally, the bill ensures that review findings cannot be used to discipline healthcare providers or be shared with licensing boards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens public health infrastructure by enabling Surgeon General to conduct reviews and access records during health emergencies, improving disease outbreak response capabilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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