HB 761 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

HEALTH/CANCER: Provides with respect to the advisory board created to recommend new treatments for rare cancers (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 761 creates an advisory board within Louisiana's Department of Health to review and recommend new treatments for rare cancers. The 17-member board includes health officials, cancer researchers, oncologists from major institutions (like LSU, Tulane, and Xavier), and representatives from cancer research centers. The board must hold quarterly public meetings, compile findings within 30-45 days, and submit written reports to the Insurance Committees of both legislative chambers. This process directly affects how the Department of Health evaluates rare cancer treatments, streamlining recommendations to the agency for potential adoption.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Feb 27, 2026 Signed Jun 8, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB761 Original HB761 Act 832 · 4 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates the advisory board for rare cancer treatments by expanding the list of sponsors and adding a new representative from the Louisiana Cancer Research Center. It also changes the reporting deadline from 30 to 45 days after meetings and clarifies that the new law becomes effective upon the governor's signature or after the legislative session ends if vetoed.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include a new board member representing the Louisiana Cancer Research Center, while the overall function of the advisory board remains the same.
REQUIREMENT

Added a new board member representing the Louisiana Cancer Research Center to the advisory board composition.

TIMELINE

Extended the deadline for submitting board reports to the legislature from 30 days to 45 days after each meeting.

TECHNICAL

Added an effectiveness clause specifying when the Act takes effect based on the governor's signature or legislative approval.

ELIGIBILITY

Added multiple new sponsors to the bill, increasing bipartisan support.

Floor votes · Senate May 28, 2026 · House Apr 14, 2026

How they voted

340
Passed · 6 other
Total votes 40
May 28, 2026
D Democratic12
10 Yea 2
83% Yea
R Republican28
24 Yea 4
85% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
21
Key actions
5
Committee
4
May 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read by title, roll called, yeas 100, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.
lower
May 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
May 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended. Reported with amendments. Rules suspended. Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
upper
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 98, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (12-0).
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Insurance.
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Committee
Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Insurance.
lower
1 primary · 17 co-sponsors

Sponsors