HB 565 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

CHILDREN/CARE: Provides relative to fire safety provisions for day care centers

HB 565 requires Louisiana's fire marshal to conduct fire safety inspections of early learning centers and child day care centers (as defined in R.S. 17:407.33), applying state and federal life safety codes to these facilities. The bill clarifies that the fire marshal retains responsibility for these inspections, even if local fire prevention bureaus exist, while allowing local fire departments to consult with the fire marshal and conduct fire preplanning. It directly affects day care centers and fire safety enforcement agencies by standardizing inspection protocols under existing life safety codes. The bill does not create new requirements but specifies the fire marshal's role in overseeing safety for these child-care facilities.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Signed May 15, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB565 Original → HB565 Act · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill clarifies that the state fire marshal retains responsibility for enforcing fire safety laws at early learning centers and child day care centers, even when local fire prevention bureaus exist. It adds specific protections for these facilities, such as allowing standard residential appliances without commercial ventilation and requiring that safety rules be proportional to the facility's size and risk rather than treating them like commercial businesses. The law also establishes a formal appeal process for owners to challenge fire marshal decisions.

Scope change

The bill explicitly includes early learning centers and child day care centers in the state fire marshal's jurisdiction for institutional occupancies, ensuring consistent enforcement across the state regardless of local fire bureau presence.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific provisions stating that fire safety requirements for early learning and child day care centers must be proportional to their size and risk, and cannot be applied as if they were commercial or industrial occupancies unless a code specifically requires it.

Added a provision exempting standard residential appliances (like microwaves and coffee makers) from requiring commercial ventilation or fire suppression systems unless expressly required by code.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new appeal process allowing facility owners to challenge fire marshal determinations within fifteen days, with enforcement actions like fines or closures stayed pending the appeal outcome.

DEFINITION

Clarified that applicable federal and state life safety codes govern these facilities, ensuring the correct legal standards are used for inspections and compliance.

Floor votes · Senate May 12, 2026 · House Apr 13, 2026

How they voted

33–0

Passed · 7 other

Total votes 40

May 12, 2026

D Democratic12

8 Yea 4

66% Yea

R Republican28

25 Yea 3

89% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 32 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 29, 2026

Committee

Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

Apr 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably.

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 96, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (16-0).

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Commerce.

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Commerce.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors