SB 194 requires Louisiana state agencies to verify the U.S. citizenship or "satisfactory immigration status" of applicants for Medicaid, SNAP, and other public benefits like housing or food assistance. If verification fails after a single reasonable opportunity period, the state must refer the applicant's information to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and terminate benefits. The bill specifies that "satisfactory immigration status" includes lawful permanent residents, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and those under Compact of Free Association agreements. Agencies must also provide monthly reports to the Secretary of State for voter list maintenance and submit annual reports to legislators on enforcement actions. This bill directly affects individuals applying for federal or state public benefits who cannot prove citizenship or qualifying immigration status.
HB 736 requires Louisiana insurers to disclose insurance rate information to the public unless they meet strict, specific criteria to claim it as a "trade secret." Insurers must clearly mark such information, provide sworn affidavits justifying the claim, and submit it separately - failing to do so waives the claim. The bill explicitly prohibits trade secret claims for financial models, affiliate transactions, compensation data, and other rate-related details, ensuring these are publicly accessible. The Insurance Commissioner must review all claims and deny those not meeting the criteria, with penalties up to $25,000 for false claims.
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HB 737 removes the requirement for students to provide proof of meningococcal disease vaccination when entering certain schools or colleges. It directly affects students entering school for the first time, sixth grade, or postsecondary institutions. The bill amends Louisiana law by deleting specific mandates for meningococcal vaccination while keeping other required immunizations (like measles and polio) on the school entry schedule.
HB 405 amends Louisiana law to establish licensure requirements for acupuncturists. It requires practitioners to hold active certification from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and pass its certification exam, including the Biomedicine portion. The bill updates the legal reference to the certifying organization's name to match its current official title. This directly affects individuals seeking to practice acupuncture in Louisiana by setting standardized certification criteria. The bill is currently in committee referral and has not yet been enacted.
SB 323 increases penalties for insurance violations related to pharmacy benefits, such as payment for prescription drugs or pharmacist services. It sets a $25,000 fine per violation for pharmacy-related issues (removing the previous $100,000 annual cap) and requires license suspension/revocation if violations aren’t corrected within 30 days of notice. The bill directly affects insurers and entities offering pharmacy benefits under insurance contracts in Louisiana. These changes amend Louisiana Insurance Code sections to strengthen enforcement for pharmacy benefit compliance.
HB 392 requires all Louisiana public and nonpublic secondary schools to post suicide prevention hotline information on their websites and print it on student ID cards. Specifically, schools must display the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number "988" (with instructions to call or text) and, if available, local and state suicide prevention hotline numbers. This bill updates existing requirements by broadening the scope to all secondary schools and standardizing the required information. The policy directly affects schools and students by ensuring immediate access to crisis resources through everyday school materials.
HB 925 clarifies the scope of practice for audiologists in Louisiana by updating definitions and adding specific permissions and prohibitions. It permits audiologists to order certain diagnostic tests (like blood work, cultures, and non-radiographic in-office ear tests) related to auditory or vestibular conditions, and to order radiographic imaging for those conditions. However, it explicitly prohibits audiologists from performing surgeries (including laser, scalpel, or cochlear implant procedures) or interpreting diagnostic tests like blood work or radiographs for diagnosis. The bill directly affects licensed audiologists practicing in Louisiana by defining their permitted clinical activities and boundaries. This is a procedural clarification to standardize professional practice standards, not a new service or funding measure.
HB 880, the Louisiana Artificial Intelligence Insurance Fairness Act (LAIFA), establishes rules for insurers using AI in underwriting, pricing, and claims decisions. It directly affects Louisiana insurance companies (covered insurers) that use AI systems for homeowners, auto, commercial property, health, or life insurance, particularly protecting Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, low-income, and historically redlined communities from biased algorithmic decisions. Key provisions require annual audits to detect discriminatory outcomes, ban the use of "proxy variables" (like zip codes) that correlate with protected classes, mandate clear explanations for AI-driven adverse decisions, and create a private right to sue for affected consumers. The law does not ban AI use but ensures it is transparent, fair, and accountable, aligning with existing anti-discrimination protections.
SB 253 prevents Louisiana's professional licensing boards from banning healthcare providers with prescriptive authority from prescribing peptides shipped from FDA-registered 503B facilities or FDA-registered compounding pharmacies. It directly affects doctors and other licensed prescribers who currently use such peptide sources. The bill requires providers to verify that prescribed peptides are not on the FDA's prohibited compounding list. This law aims to remove regulatory barriers for access to specific peptide treatments while ensuring compliance with federal FDA guidelines.
This bill exempts certain nonprofit hospices providing free end-of-life care from standard hospice licensure requirements. It directly affects nonprofit organizations that offer no-cost, home-like care to terminally ill patients, provided they meet three criteria: charging no fees to patients/families, receiving no insurance payments (including Medicare/Medicaid), and limiting accommodations to three private bedrooms. The bill treats these exempt organizations as the patient’s residence for care purposes, requiring medications to be handled like home care, and allows designated caregivers (even without licenses) to perform tasks under a hospice provider’s plan. These changes aim to expand access to low-cost hospice options while clarifying care delivery standards.
