Labor & Employment (Workers' Compensation)

passed · Louisiana · House May 7, 2026

HB 1101: WORKERS COMPENSATION: Provides relative to maximum medical improvement, income benefits, the misrepresentation of benefits or payments, and the rehabilitation of injured employees under workers' compensation (EG -$550,900 SG EX See Note)

This bill updates Louisiana workers' compensation laws to clarify definitions and procedures for injured employees. It formally defines "maximum medical improvement" as a point where an employee's condition is unlikely to improve substantially, even if they continue receiving treatment for chronic pain. The legislation also establishes clearer rules for temporary and permanent disability benefits, including specific maximum time limits for receiving compensation and new provisions for supplemental earnings benefits. Additionally, the bill strengthens fraud prevention measures by defining what constitutes willful misrepresentation of benefits and outlines requirements for vocational rehabilitation services to help injured workers return to suitable employment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill clarifies workers' compensation definitions and procedures, protecting injured employees' rights to benefits and establishing clearer rules for disability compensation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 1023: WORKERS COMPENSATION: Provides with respect to the selection of vocation rehabilitation counselors

This bill modifies Louisiana's workers' compensation law to clarify how vocational rehabilitation counselors are selected for injured employees. It requires employers to choose a licensed counselor to help with job placement or training, but also allows employees or employers to request services through the Office of Workers' Compensation Administration if the employer refuses. The law establishes a dispute process where either party can file a claim if they disagree with the counselor's work, leading to a fast hearing within 10 to 30 days without needing prior mediation. This change aims to provide a quicker resolution path for conflicts over vocational services while maintaining employer responsibility for the initial selection.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens workers' compensation by clarifying vocational rehabilitation counselor selection, ensuring injured employees receive job placement or training services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation Workforce Development

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 456: WORKERS COMPENSATION: Provides relative to claims for benefits under workers' compensation

HB 456 amends Louisiana's workers' compensation laws to clarify the requirements for filing claims and disputing benefits. It specifies that a claim petition must include the parties' names, injury details, specific benefits sought, and a request for relief. Employers may only file a disputed claim against an employee, dependent, or beneficiary if alleging fraud under R.S. 23:1208 or appealing a medical director's decision under R.S. 23:1203.1(K). The bill directly affects workers filing claims and employers disputing those claims, streamlining the process while limiting disputes to specific legal grounds.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRestricts employer disputes to fraud/appeals only, clarifies claim requirements, and protects workers from frivolous claim denials under workers' comp.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 358: WORKERS' COMPENSATION: Provides for Occupational Accident Insurance for independent contractors. (gov sig)

SB 358 creates a new insurance requirement for independent contractors in Louisiana, specifically providing occupational accident coverage to protect them if injured on the job. It defines "independent contractor" (excluding most manual labor) and mandates that contractors obtain private insurance meeting minimum standards: $1 million in medical benefits per injury, temporary disability payments, and death/disfigurement coverage. Principals (businesses hiring contractors) avoid liability as "statutory employers" if contractors maintain this coverage, have a written agreement, and retain control over work methods. The law directly affects independent contractors in construction, commercial driving, and equipment operation who currently lack workers' compensation protections.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates occupational accident insurance with $1M medical benefits per injury for contractors, expanding healthcare coverage access for a vulnerable worker group.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates occupational accident insurance for independent contractors with $1M medical coverage per injury, expanding protections for a group typically excluded from workers' comp.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Workers' Compensation

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signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 609: HEALTH CARE/RECORDS: Provides for the exemption of fees for health records when requested for the federal and state veterans affairs departments

HB 609 prohibits healthcare providers and facilities in Louisiana from charging fees for medical records when veterans request them specifically to apply for disability benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. It applies only once per veteran for the purpose of a disability claim, requiring providers to verify veteran status and the claim's purpose before waiving fees. The law exempts costs for preparing, reproducing, handling, or transmitting records under this specific circumstance. This directly affects veterans seeking disability benefits and healthcare entities handling such record requests.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves fees for veterans' medical records needed for disability claims, improving access to healthcare services and supporting veterans' healthcare access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves fees for veterans' medical records needed for disability claims, facilitating access to employment-related benefits and reducing barriers for veterans seeking workplace support.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProhibits fees for veterans' health records when applying for VA disability benefits, removing financial barriers to access healthcare services and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

passed · Louisiana · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 357: WORKERS COMPENSATION: Provides for the adoption of a medical fee reimbursement schedule for workers' compensation (RE +$100,000 SD EX See Note)

HB 357 establishes a medical reimbursement schedule for workers' compensation in Louisiana, setting fees for medical services, drugs, and supplies based on the average rates in neighboring states. The Office of Workers' Compensation Administration must create this schedule using data from at least 30 healthcare providers, with strict privacy rules to prevent identifying individual providers. The schedule will be updated annually, require quarterly legislative reporting, and take effect on January 1, 2027. This directly affects healthcare providers treating workers' compensation patients and the state agency managing the system.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes standardized medical reimbursement for workers' comp, preventing excessive provider charges and ensuring timely access to care for injured workers, directly protecting worker benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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passed · Louisiana · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 780: WORKERS COMPENSATION: Provides relative to penalties and attorney fees for nonpayment, discontinuance of payment, or failure to consent for a medical treatment for workers' compensation claims, controversion of benefits, and preliminary determination hearings

HB 780 strengthens protections for Louisiana workers by imposing penalties on employers or insurers who delay or deny workers' compensation payments or medical treatment. It sets daily penalties of up to $50 (capped at $2,000 per claim) or 12% of unpaid benefits, plus attorney fees, unless the delay was reasonable. Employers must send specific written notices within 3 business days when modifying benefits and respond to employee payment demands within 7 business days to avoid penalties. Total penalties at a hearing are capped at $8,000, and attorney fees from penalty cases are exempt from standard fee limits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill imposes penalties for denying/delaying medical treatment in workers' comp, strengthening access to health services and protecting patient rights for injured workers.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentImposes penalties on employers delaying workers' comp payments/medical treatment, strengthening worker protections per bill summary95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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passed · Louisiana · House May 18, 2026

HB 819: WORKERS COMPENSATION: Provides relative to the medical treatment schedule under workers' compensation (RE INCREASE SG EX See Note)

HB 819 updates Louisiana's workers' compensation medical treatment guidelines by adopting evidence-based Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) as the standard for non-covered treatments. It directly affects injured workers, employers, and healthcare providers by requiring all medical treatments not listed in the official schedule to follow strict, current evidence-based criteria. Key provisions mandate that such treatments must rely on comprehensive medical literature reviews, address potential biases, use the most recent guidelines (within five years), and align with interdisciplinary standards. The bill repeals outdated sections to streamline the process, ensuring treatments are scientifically supported and cost-effective for workers' compensation cases.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdopts evidence-based medical guidelines for workers' comp, ensuring injured workers receive appropriate care per current medical standards, protecting their rights to necessary treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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