HB 676: CRIME: Creates the crime of fraudulent patient referrals or "body brokering" (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX) - Louisiana

HB676 Original → HB676 Act 312 · 4 edits

MODERATE

HB 676 was amended to add a co-sponsor and streamline the language defining prohibited conduct by removing the phrase 'overtly or covertly' and the specific list of prohibited actions like 'assist, conspire with, urge, or market.' The bill also updated the list of exceptions to clarify that lawful agreements are exempt from the ban on kickbacks. These changes refine the statute's focus on direct financial inducements while simplifying the text for clarity.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed slightly by removing broad language about 'assisting' or 'urging' others to engage in kickbacks, focusing instead on the act of soliciting, offering, paying, or receiving value. The scope of exceptions was clarified to explicitly include payments made pursuant to a 'lawful agreement.'

DEFINITION

Removed the phrase 'overtly or covertly' and the specific list of actions like 'assist, conspire with, urge, or market' from the prohibited conduct section, simplifying the definition of the crime to focus on the exchange of value for referrals.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the exceptions clause to explicitly state that the law does not apply to fees or payments made 'pursuant to a lawful agreement,' clarifying the scope of legitimate compensation.

ELIGIBILITY

Added Representative Chassion as a co-sponsor alongside Representative Spell.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document title from 'ORIGINAL' to 'ENROLLED' and updated the page count from 4 to 3, reflecting the consolidation of the bill text.

HB676 Enrolled → HB676 Original · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from 'Enrolled' to 'Original' and simplified its purpose statement by removing the reference to 'misappropriation without violence.' The core criminal provisions were expanded to explicitly include 'bribes or kickbacks' and to prohibit assisting or conspiring in these acts, broadening the scope of prohibited behavior. Additionally, the penalty section was significantly strengthened by adding new consequences for offenders, including license suspension, civil fines up to $25,000, and potential civil fines from the Department of Health, alongside the existing criminal penalties.

Scope change

The bill's scope was broadened to explicitly cover assisting, conspiring, or marketing fraudulent referrals, and the list of prohibited payments now explicitly includes bribes and kickbacks.

DEFINITION

The summary of the bill's purpose was modified to remove a reference to 'misappropriation without violence' and clarify the focus on fraudulent patient referrals.

REQUIREMENT

The prohibited actions were expanded to explicitly include 'bribes or kickbacks' and to cover assisting, conspiring with, or marketing fraudulent referrals.

ENFORCEMENT

New enforcement measures were added, allowing for license suspension, revocation, and civil fines of up to $25,000 for offenders.

The Department of Health was granted authority to assess additional applicable civil fines in accordance with existing regulations.

HB676 Reengrossed → HB676 Enrolled · 5 edits · May 19, 2026

MODERATE

The bill transitioned from a 'Reengrossed' version to an 'Enrolled' version, marking its final approval for signing by the Governor. The substantive legal text regarding the new crime of fraudulent patient referrals remains unchanged, but the document has been streamlined by removing the House and Senate committee amendment histories, the legislative digest, and the original bill number header.

Scope change

The scope of the law itself is unchanged; the bill continues to prohibit 'body brokering' in substance use disorder treatment. The change is purely procedural, reflecting the bill's completion of the legislative process.

TECHNICAL

Removed the 'Reengrossed' header and replaced it with the 'Enrolled' header to indicate final passage.

Deleted the 'Digest' section, which previously provided a non-binding summary of the bill's purpose and provisions.

Removed the 'Summary of Amendments Adopted by House' section that detailed the specific changes made during the House committee review.

Removed the 'House Floor Amendments' section that listed changes made during the House floor debate.

Adjusted page numbering from 'Page 1 of 4' to 'Page 1 of 3' to reflect the removal of the summary sections.

HB676 Engrossed → HB676 Reengrossed · 4 edits · May 18, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was reengrossed to add a second sponsor and refine the legal language defining the crime of 'body brokering.' The changes simplify the prohibited actions by removing redundant phrasing like 'directly or indirectly' and reorganizing the statute into clear subsections. The substantive scope of the law, penalties, and definitions remains consistent with the previous version.

Scope change

The scope of the bill remains focused on prohibiting the solicitation or offering of fees for patient referrals to substance abuse and mental health facilities. The reengrossed version clarifies the elements of the crime but does not alter who is subject to the law or the consequences of violating it.

TECHNICAL

Added a second sponsor, Representative Chassion, to the bill header.

Reformatted the exceptions and definitions sections to align with the new structure of the prohibited conduct.

Updated the digest and summary sections to reflect the simplified language and new sponsor.

REQUIREMENT

Reorganized the prohibited conduct into two distinct subsections and removed redundant phrases like 'directly or indirectly' and 'overtly or covertly' to simplify the legal definition.

CRIME: Creates the crime of fraudulent patient referrals or "body brokering" (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

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