Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

passed · Louisiana · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SR 63: HEALTH SERVICES: Requests the Louisiana Department of Health to study the feasibility of providing buprenorphine to paramedics.

This bill directs the Louisiana Department of Health to investigate whether paramedics can be authorized to administer buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. The legislation specifically targets the state's emergency medical response system by exploring the feasibility of expanding this treatment option to paramedics. It does not mandate immediate changes but rather requires an official study to determine the practicality and safety of such a program. The bill focuses on policy research rather than implementing new laws or regulations at this stage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill investigates expanding opioid treatment access to paramedics, potentially improving patient care and public health outcomes.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Louisiana · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 472: SUBSTANCE ABUSE: Provides for sober living homes. (8/1/26)

This bill establishes a new legal framework for sober living homes in Louisiana by requiring the Department of Health to create minimum health and safety standards. Before these rules can be finalized, the department must submit them to the Senate and House health and welfare committees for review and approval. The legislation directly affects operators of sober living facilities and the state agency responsible for regulating them, ensuring that future rules undergo legislative scrutiny.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes sober living homes to aid rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes health and safety standards for sober living homes, improving safety and access to recovery services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Louisiana · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SR 83: WOMEN: Commends Our Lady of Angels on its work with Project M.O.M.

This Senate resolution formally commends Our Lady of Angels Hospital for its leadership in Project M.O.M., a state initiative aimed at reducing pregnancy-related opioid overdose deaths. The program focuses on expanding substance use screening, improving access to treatment medications like those for opioid use disorder, and enhancing care coordination for pregnant and postpartum women. By highlighting the hospital's successful implementation of these strategies, the bill recognizes the facility as a model for statewide efforts to prevent maternal overdose fatalities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill commends a hospital for expanding opioid screening and treatment access for pregnant women, directly strengthening public health initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Substance Abuse

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passed both · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HCR 50: CORR FACILITIES/JAILS: Requests certain state and governmental entities to report on opioid abatement and treatment programs in correctional facilities, and to clarify guidance regarding available funding for such programs

This bill asks state agencies and law enforcement groups to report on how they are using opioid settlement funds for treatment and prevention programs in correctional facilities. It also requests that the Opioid Abatement Task Force and the Attorney General provide clearer guidance on which expenses are allowed under these funds. The measure aims to address concerns raised in a recent audit that many local areas have not spent their allocated money due to confusion about rules and a lack of available programs. By gathering this information, the state hopes to ensure that the millions of dollars received from opioid lawsuits are used effectively to help incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes rehabilitation and treatment programs in correctional facilities, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to clarify funding rules and expand opioid treatment programs in correctional facilities, directly strengthening access to healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Law Enforcement Substance Abuse

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signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 437: HEALTH DEPARTMENT: Provides relative to treatment services provided at facilities providing housing or temporary residence for individuals referred by judicial agencies. (8/1/26) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

This bill requires facilities that provide housing or temporary residence for individuals referred by judicial agencies to obtain a license from the Louisiana Department of Health before offering residential substance use disorder treatment. The law mandates that the Department of Health must inspect and certify these facilities as compliant with specific rules before they can provide such services to people referred by courts or other judicial bodies. Additionally, the bill establishes a process for filing complaints against unlicensed residential treatment facilities and clarifies that licensed medical professionals can still offer behavioral health services in a person's home. These changes aim to ensure that judicially referred individuals receive treatment only from facilities that meet state health and safety standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill improves rehabilitation programs by requiring licensed treatment facilities for judicial referrals, enhancing oversight and care for individuals in the criminal justice system.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates licensing and inspection for substance use disorder treatment facilities, improving quality control and patient safety in healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1114: NURSES: Provide relative to licensing by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing

This bill updates Louisiana's nursing licensing laws to clarify the grounds for disciplinary action and establish procedures for reinstating suspended licenses. It directly affects registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, nursing students, and the Louisiana State Board of Nursing by defining specific behaviors that can lead to license denial, revocation, or suspension. Key provisions include allowing discipline for crimes affecting patient safety, substance abuse, incompetence, or prior license violations, while also recognizing medication-assisted treatment as evidence-based care for opioid use disorder. The bill requires independent medical evaluations for nurses seeking reinstatement after substance-related suspensions and prohibits denying reinstatement solely because a nurse is on prescribed medication-assisted treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens nursing licensing standards to protect patient safety and improve healthcare quality through clearer disciplinary procedures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Substance Abuse

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passed both · Louisiana · Senate May 20, 2026

SCR 22: PHARMACEUTICALS: Requests a legislative auditor report on opioid settlement fund expenditures.

This bill asks the state legislative auditor to create a detailed report on how opioid settlement funds have been spent in Louisiana. The report will be sent to health and welfare committees by December 2026 and will cover how much money parishes and sheriff's offices received, what they spent it on, and any challenges they faced using the funds. It aims to provide transparency on the use of approximately $600 million in settlement money designated for opioid abatement efforts. The request for information includes specific details about expenditures, legal classifications for spending, performance outcomes, and administrative costs. This action does not change existing laws but seeks to gather data to help improve how local governments access and use these funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks transparency on opioid settlement funds used for abatement efforts, ensuring proper allocation of resources for public health initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 427: DONATIONS: Provides for procedures and methods to execute gifts under the Anatomical Gift Act. (1/1/27)

This bill updates Louisiana's Anatomical Gift Act to clarify procedures and methods for making, amending, or revoking donations of human body parts for transplantation, therapy, research, or education. It directly affects donors, their agents, healthcare providers, and organizations involved in organ recovery by establishing standardized definitions and requirements for consent and authorization. Key provisions include formalizing how anatomical gifts can be recorded on driver's licenses and other identification documents, defining roles for witnesses and agents, and specifying rules for donation after brain death or circulatory death. The legislation also creates a state registry to track anatomical gift decisions and ensures consistency in how these gifts are executed and documented.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill clarifies anatomical gift procedures, improving organ donation processes and supporting healthcare access for transplants.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 984: MALPRACTICE/MEDICAL: Provides relative to medical malpractice and the limitation of recovery

This bill updates Louisiana's medical malpractice laws by setting a cap on the total amount patients can recover for injuries or death, excluding future medical costs. It directly affects patients seeking compensation from healthcare providers and the state for medical errors. The key provision establishes a $575,000 limit on recoverable damages, with future medical care and related benefits paid separately without being subject to this cap. The bill also outlines procedures for handling claims that include both immediate damages and future medical expenses, specifying how payments should be processed through state risk management offices.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill caps medical malpractice damages, limiting patient compensation for medical errors and restricting access to full recovery for healthcare-related injuries.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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