HB 580 requires real estate brokers and sellers in Louisiana to disclose all fees and conditions upfront during residential property sales or leases. It specifically prohibits hiding fees that are only revealed after a prospective buyer pays an application fee, treating such delays as deceptive. The bill applies to transactions involving single-family homes or small apartment buildings (1-4 units). Real estate professionals must now clearly state all costs before a buyer commits financially, aiming to prevent hidden charges. This creates a concrete requirement for transparency in residential real estate transactions.
HB 686 requires anyone making a phone call created using artificial intelligence to clearly disclose at the start that the message was generated by AI. It bans calls without this disclosure, imposing fines up to $750 or up to six months in jail for violations. The law applies to all AI-generated calls, including automated ones, and references an existing definition of "artificial intelligence" from another statute. This directly affects businesses or individuals using AI for phone communications, such as customer service or marketing calls.
This bill creates the Louisiana State Infrastructure Bank within the Division of Administration to provide financing for public infrastructure projects. The bank will be authorized to issue bonds and loans to governmental units and private entities participating in public infrastructure projects, covering transportation, water, energy, and resilience improvements. Funds for the bank will come from federal transportation trust funds, and the bank can offer various financial assistance tools like loan guarantees and interest rate subsidies. The new bank will be overseen by a board of directors that sets rules and coordinates with state agencies to manage the infrastructure fund.
HB 563 creates a voluntary "Louisiana Voluntary Do Not Sell List" allowing individuals to request prohibition from firearm purchases. People can join by submitting verified forms to courts, healthcare providers, or the state police, triggering automatic entry into background check systems within 24 hours. Removal requires a 7-day wait period or an expedited court hearing to confirm the request was voluntary, with all records kept confidential except for law enforcement or criminal proceedings. The law does not alter existing legal prohibitions but provides a self-imposed mechanism for individuals to restrict their own firearm access.
HB 435 creates an expedited process for clearing certain arrest records in Louisiana at no cost to the individual. It applies directly to people arrested as 17-year-olds for offenses under Louisiana law, or those whose cases were dismissed, dismissed after a pretrial diversion, or ended in acquittal. The bill modifies court procedures to automatically qualify these individuals for expungement without requiring additional court hearings. This policy change simplifies access to record clearance for eligible residents who have no conviction record.
HB 369 reorganizes judicial elections for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal's first district by dividing Jefferson Parish into three distinct election sections. Specifically, it assigns specific precincts within Jefferson Parish to Section One (covering most of the parish), Section Two (covering certain central and western precincts), and Section Three (covering southeastern precincts). The bill requires judgeships to be filled through elections within the designated section, with vacancies in previously "Section One" judgeships now filled from Section Two. This directly affects Jefferson Parish voters, who will elect judges based on their precinct's assigned election section.
HB 266 creates a special permit for natural hair braiders in Louisiana, directly affecting individuals who provide services like twisting, weaving, or braiding hair by hand or with simple tools. The bill requires permit holders to complete sanitation/safety training, pass a 20-question exam, and pay fees - exempting them from needing a separate beauty salon license. It defines "natural hair braiding" broadly to include common techniques without chemical treatments or hair extensions, while preempting local bans or restrictions on this service. The law takes effect July 1, 2027, standardizing requirements statewide.
HB 452 prohibits health insurance plans from offering extra payments to healthcare providers to encourage administering vaccinations or denying reimbursement/charging penalties to influence vaccination rates. It directly affects insurance companies and healthcare providers by banning financial incentives or penalties tied to vaccine administration. The law applies to most health insurance plans (including employer-sponsored and HMO plans) but excludes limited benefit plans and short-term policies. This creates a clear policy change: insurers cannot use financial pressure to steer providers toward or away from vaccinating patients.
HB 480 amends Louisiana law to clarify eligibility for reentry courts and workforce development sentencing programs. It removes a prior restriction on defendants with sex offense convictions (defined under R.S. 15:541) and specifies that participation is barred only for crimes of violence (with 15 listed exceptions, including aggravated assault, robbery, and battery of police officers). The bill also repeals outdated provisions and requires district attorneys to consent to participation for eligible violent crime cases. This directly affects criminal defendants facing charges who may qualify for reentry court programs instead of standard sentencing.
SB 366 amends Louisiana's Medical Malpractice Act to set a $1.5 million cap on total compensation for medical negligence claims (adjusted annually for inflation), including past medical costs and lost wages. It also limits a single healthcare provider's liability to $250,000 per patient (adjusted for inflation) and requires courts to separately assess future medical care needs. The bill changes how future medical expenses are handled, allowing patients to choose between direct payment, trust funds, or reimbursement through the Patient's Compensation Fund. These changes apply to all medical malpractice claims filed under Louisiana law.
HB 912 defines "alternative hair design" as styling techniques like braiding, weaving, or locking hair (using synthetic or natural hair) without chemical treatments, and creates a new certification for "alternative hairstylists." It requires the state cosmetology board to include one alternative hairstylist member and sets specific education requirements for obtaining this certification. The bill also establishes teacher certification pathways specifically for teaching alternative hair design and mandates that salons specializing in this service must employ a licensed manager (e.g., a cosmetologist or alternative hairstylist). These changes directly affect hairstylists, salon owners, and educators in Louisiana who practice or teach alternative hair design.
This Louisiana bill modifies student discipline procedures for suspensions and expulsions. It gives parents 5 days to request a school board review of expulsion recommendations and up to 10 school days to appeal to district court if the school board upholds the expulsion. The bill also repeals mandatory expulsion requirements for certain offenses. These changes directly affect parents and students in Louisiana public schools facing disciplinary action.
