This bill requests the Louisiana Department of Health and Department of Education to create a comprehensive report on the current state of autism support services in Louisiana. The report will examine diagnostic practices, service availability, and access barriers across healthcare and education sectors, involving collaboration with the Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. It will assess diagnostic tools, provider training, wait times, and compare Louisiana's services to other states to identify gaps and areas for improvement. The final report must be submitted to the legislature by January 1, 2027, to inform future policy decisions regarding autism support.
This bill protects healthcare providers and individuals from civil and criminal liability when they distribute or use Naloxone and other opioid reversal drugs even after their labeled expiration dates have passed. It allows people acting in good faith to administer these medications to someone believed to be having an opioid overdose without fear of legal consequences, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Healthcare professionals are also shielded from disciplinary action by licensing boards for actions covered under this immunity, though federally certified facilities must still follow federal rules regarding expired medications. The law defines "shelf-life end date" based on federal labeling requirements and takes effect upon the governor's signature.
This bill requires health insurance companies in Louisiana to cover mobile crisis response and behavioral health crisis care services when provided by eligible licensed providers. The law mandates that these services do not need prior authorization from insurers and allows providers to coordinate with the state's Crisis Hub for information sharing. Coverage may include standard cost-sharing options like deductibles and copayments, while reimbursement methods remain up to each insurer's discretion. The bill defines these services as short-term, recovery-focused interventions for adults and children experiencing mental health or substance use crises, with an effective date of July 1, 2027.
This bill makes minor formatting and punctuation adjustments to a larger legislative text regarding a trauma-informed training program. The changes include capitalizing the word "Domestic," adding a comma after "teachers," and inserting the word "or" at the end of a line. These amendments do not alter the substantive policy content but instead correct the text for consistency and clarity. The bill directly affects the administrative drafting of the legislation rather than introducing new operational requirements.
HB 77 requires the Lincoln Parish Clerk of Court to pay 100% of group insurance premiums (including life, health, dental, and medical expense coverage) for qualifying retirees. It directly affects former Lincoln Parish Clerk of Court employees who retire with at least 20 years of full-time service, are age 55 or older, and begin receiving retirement benefits immediately upon retirement. The bill specifically covers standard group insurance plans but excludes supplemental insurance options. This provision is limited to Lincoln Parish and applies only to retirees meeting these exact service and age requirements.
HB 486 enacts Louisiana's participation in the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), allowing psychologists licensed in Louisiana to provide telepsychology services (via video or phone) and temporary in-person care (up to 30 days per year) in other participating states without obtaining additional licenses. The bill establishes a $50 fee for Louisiana-licensed psychologists using the compact and requires states to share information on licensure and disciplinary actions to protect public safety. It defines key terms like "home state" (Louisiana for the psychologist) and "distant state" (the state where temporary care occurs), while ensuring the compact does not apply to permanent in-person practice. This aims to increase access to psychological services across state lines while maintaining regulatory oversight through shared information and commission oversight.
HB 946 requires Louisiana hospitals to comply with federal pricing transparency rules (45 CFR Part 180) by publishing standardized pricing information. It mandates the state health department to verify compliance annually and publicly list non-compliant hospitals starting January 1, 2027. Hospitals failing to meet these requirements cannot pursue debt collection for services provided after that date, and patients may sue if collection actions occur. If found non-compliant, hospitals must refund payments, pay penalties, dismiss legal actions, or remove credit reports related to the debt. The bill directly affects hospitals, patients, and healthcare billing practices, focusing on enforcing federal transparency rules with clear consequences for noncompliance.
HB 869 requires Louisiana health insurance plans to cover FDA-approved injectable drugs for lowering glucose levels or treating obesity (BMI ≥30) when prescribed for prediabetes, gestational diabetes, or obesity. It applies to all new or renewed health plans starting January 1, 2026, with existing plans converting by January 1, 2027. Coverage must include these drugs if they're on the insurer's formulary, medically necessary, and prescribed by a healthcare provider. This directly affects Louisiana residents diagnosed with qualifying conditions who rely on these medications. The bill does not mandate coverage for all weight loss drugs, only those approved for specific medical uses.
HB 792 requires Louisiana state correctional facilities to implement standardized screening for HIV and hepatitis C virus at inmate intake or within 72 hours of incarceration. It mandates that inmates may decline screening without penalty, and all results remain confidential for medical purposes only. Parish jails may participate in the program but must receive legislative funding for reimbursement of screening costs, with the state covering treatment expenses through existing state or federal programs. The bill also establishes annual reporting requirements for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to track screening rates, positive cases, treatment access, and fiscal impacts.
HB 591 proposes creating a new "Paid Family Leave Insurance Act" in Louisiana, allowing insurers to offer voluntary wage replacement coverage for employees taking time off for specific family reasons. The bill would enable employers or employees to purchase insurance policies covering up to 12 weeks of paid leave annually for qualifying events like a new child’s birth/adoption, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, or addressing military-related exigencies. Key provisions require policies to specify minimum benefit amounts (at least two weeks of coverage within 52 weeks), define eligibility, and detail how benefits are calculated based on wages. This legislation, currently pending in the Louisiana legislature, would establish a state-regulated insurance framework but does not mandate employer coverage or create a state-run program.
