HB 1247 establishes a statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Coordinator to oversee and support forensic care for sexual assault survivors across the state. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, and survivors by creating a centralized role to improve the consistency and quality of medical examinations and evidence collection. Key provisions include defining the coordinator's responsibilities, setting up a funding mechanism, and outlining procedures for training and certification of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. The legislation aims to streamline the response to sexual assaults by ensuring survivors receive standardized, trauma-informed care from qualified professionals.
This bill asks the Louisiana Department of Health to conduct a comprehensive study on the availability and quality of in-home skilled nursing services for medically fragile children and adults. The investigation will examine specific issues such as whether there are enough providers to meet demand, if current pay rates are competitive, and why authorized care hours often go unfilled. Additionally, the study will analyze why some patients end up in more expensive hospital settings instead of receiving care at home and how family caregivers are affected by these gaps. The department is required to consult with various stakeholders, including patients, providers, and advocacy groups, and must submit its findings and recommendations to the Senate by October 2026.
This bill updates Louisiana's nursing licensing laws to clarify the grounds for disciplinary action and establish procedures for reinstating suspended licenses. It directly affects registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, nursing students, and the Louisiana State Board of Nursing by defining specific behaviors that can lead to license denial, revocation, or suspension. Key provisions include allowing discipline for crimes affecting patient safety, substance abuse, incompetence, or prior license violations, while also recognizing medication-assisted treatment as evidence-based care for opioid use disorder. The bill requires independent medical evaluations for nurses seeking reinstatement after substance-related suspensions and prohibits denying reinstatement solely because a nurse is on prescribed medication-assisted treatment.
This bill designates Tuesday, March 17, 2026, as Nurse Practitioner Day at the Louisiana State Capitol to honor the contributions of nurse practitioners in the state. The resolution acknowledges the role nurse practitioners play in providing healthcare services, expanding access to care, and improving health outcomes for Louisiana residents. It formally commends nurse practitioners for their work and directs a copy of the resolution to the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners. This is a ceremonial measure that recognizes the profession rather than changing laws or policies.
This bill creates the Louisiana Board of Naturopathic Medicine and establishes a new licensing framework for naturopathic doctors in the state. The legislation defines the scope of practice for naturopathic medicine, including permitted therapies, diagnostic procedures, and minor office surgeries, while also outlining requirements for education, training, and professional conduct. It grants licensed naturopathic doctors the authority to prescribe certain medications, order diagnostic tests, and compound drugs for individual patient needs, subject to specific limitations and regulations. The bill also transfers oversight of naturopathic medicine from existing agencies to the Louisiana Department of Health and sets rules for advertising, credential display, and fees associated with the new licensing system.
This bill establishes a Task Force on School Nurse Orientation in Louisiana to create a training program for new registered nurses entering public schools. The task force will review existing orientation programs, identify essential skills for school nurses, and develop recommendations for standardized training and mentorship opportunities. It will consist of nine representatives from various organizations including nursing associations, education agencies, and health departments, and must begin its work by August 1, 2026. The group will submit its recommendations to the legislature and will dissolve once its work is complete or by February 12, 2027.
This bill updates Louisiana law to clarify the roles of nurses in administering medications within public health clinics. It allows registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and advanced practice registered nurses to insert subcutaneous medication implants and distribute certain medications for treating sexually transmitted diseases or preventing pregnancy under physician-approved protocols. Additionally, the bill permits these licensed nurses to administer reconstituted medications for intravenous therapy when used according to the medication's labeling, while explicitly stating that this process does not constitute compounding. The changes apply specifically to nurses employed by municipal, parochial, or state-operated public health clinics and require adherence to established procedures and protocols.
This bill designates March 17, 2026, as Nurse Practitioner Day at the Louisiana state capitol to honor the contributions of nurse practitioners in the state. The resolution recognizes the role of nurse practitioners in providing healthcare services and expanding access to care across Louisiana. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as a commemorative acknowledgment of the profession. The measure is procedural and does not create new regulations or alter existing healthcare practices.
HB 182 requires all licensed hospitals and healthcare providers in Louisiana to ensure a qualified healthcare professional (such as a physician or sexual assault nurse examiner) is available during operating hours to provide forensic examinations and treatment to sexual assault survivors. It mandates that facilities offer survivors information about these services and maintain personnel trained to conduct forensic medical exams. The bill directly affects hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers statewide by setting new standards for their response to sexual assault cases. It defines key terms like "qualified healthcare professional" to clarify who can perform these examinations, aiming to improve access to specialized care for survivors.
HB 925 clarifies the scope of practice for audiologists in Louisiana by updating definitions and adding specific permissions and prohibitions. It permits audiologists to order certain diagnostic tests (like blood work, cultures, and non-radiographic in-office ear tests) related to auditory or vestibular conditions, and to order radiographic imaging for those conditions. However, it explicitly prohibits audiologists from performing surgeries (including laser, scalpel, or cochlear implant procedures) or interpreting diagnostic tests like blood work or radiographs for diagnosis. The bill directly affects licensed audiologists practicing in Louisiana by defining their permitted clinical activities and boundaries. This is a procedural clarification to standardize professional practice standards, not a new service or funding measure.
