Labor & Employment

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 456: WORKERS COMPENSATION: Provides relative to claims for benefits under workers' compensation

HB 456 amends Louisiana's workers' compensation laws to clarify the requirements for filing claims and disputing benefits. It specifies that a claim petition must include the parties' names, injury details, specific benefits sought, and a request for relief. Employers may only file a disputed claim against an employee, dependent, or beneficiary if alleging fraud under R.S. 23:1208 or appealing a medical director's decision under R.S. 23:1203.1(K). The bill directly affects workers filing claims and employers disputing those claims, streamlining the process while limiting disputes to specific legal grounds.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRestricts employer disputes to fraud/appeals only, clarifies claim requirements, and protects workers from frivolous claim denials under workers' comp.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 373: SHERIFFS: Provides relative to state inmates housed in a parish jail or institution and establishes criteria for additional per diem funding. (gov sig)

SB 373 requires Louisiana's Department of Public Safety and Corrections to pay parish sheriffs or jail operators a daily fee (currently $25.39) for housing state inmates in local jails when state facilities are unavailable or court orders delay transfer. It also establishes a new Transitional Workforce and Vocational Training Pilot Program within the department, providing job training in high-demand trades to inmates held in parish custody. The bill sets criteria for future funding increases tied to jail safety, sanitation, facility upgrades, and reporting requirements. This directly affects parish sheriffs (who receive payments) and inmates held in local jails instead of state facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state funding for inmate housing per diem and establishes criteria for new program funding, directly allocating budget resources to public safety services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes vocational training for inmates in parish custody, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes vocational training for inmates in parish custody, directly advancing workforce development and employment standards through job training in high-demand trades.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Workforce Development

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 554: HEALTH CARE/PROVIDERS: Provides relative to civil monetary penalties for violations by healthcare facilities (OR INCREASE SD RV See Note)

HB 554 establishes a tiered system of civil fines for healthcare facilities in Louisiana that violate safety and operational standards. It categorizes violations by severity: Class A (causing death/serious harm) carries up to $2,500 for a first offense and $10,500 daily for repeats; Class B (high risk of harm) up to $2,500/$6,000; Class C (potential harm) up to $2,000/$4,000; and Class D (administrative issues) up to $200/$500. The bill also imposes separate daily penalties for late reporting of abuse, neglect, or deaths, and requires the Louisiana Department of Health to publish an annual report on penalties assessed and repeat offenders. This directly affects hospitals, nursing homes, and other licensed healthcare facilities by increasing accountability for safety lapses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnforces healthcare facility safety standards via tiered civil penalties, protecting patient safety and rights through accountability measures.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentImposes tiered fines for healthcare safety violations, strengthening workplace safety protections for workers by penalizing facilities causing harm.90% confidence

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 196: TEACHERS/LEAVE: Provides relative to personal leave days for teachers (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 196 amends Louisiana law (R.S. 17:1208) to establish that public school teachers (excluding those with annual leave) may use up to eight personal leave days per school year without pay loss. Teachers must provide 24 hours' notice to their principal, and this leave is deducted from their current year's sick leave balance. The bill specifies that personal leave cannot be carried over to future years or paid out upon retirement or death. It directly affects Louisiana public school teachers by clarifying their personal leave entitlements and integration with existing sick leave policies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides teachers with additional personal leave days without pay loss, enhancing educator benefits and work-life balance per bill's direct provisions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides teachers with additional unpaid leave days without pay loss, expanding employment benefits under workplace leave policies.85% confidence

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 799: FIRE PROTECT/FIRE MARSHAL: Provides relative to boilers (EN INCREASE SG RV See Note)

HB 799 establishes new boiler safety regulations in Louisiana, directly affecting boiler operators, inspectors, and manufacturers. It grants the state fire marshal exclusive authority to enforce safety standards, requiring annual external inspections for all boilers and internal inspections for high-pressure systems (with limited extensions under specific conditions). The bill mandates that inspections follow American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) industry standards, creates a licensing system for boiler inspectors, and requires detailed inspection records. Fees, penalties for violations, and specific procedures for boiler installation and operation are also defined under this legislation.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates boiler safety inspections per ASME standards, improving workplace safety for boiler operators and inspectors.80% confidence

in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 358: WORKERS' COMPENSATION: Provides for Occupational Accident Insurance for independent contractors. (gov sig)

SB 358 creates a new insurance requirement for independent contractors in Louisiana, specifically providing occupational accident coverage to protect them if injured on the job. It defines "independent contractor" (excluding most manual labor) and mandates that contractors obtain private insurance meeting minimum standards: $1 million in medical benefits per injury, temporary disability payments, and death/disfigurement coverage. Principals (businesses hiring contractors) avoid liability as "statutory employers" if contractors maintain this coverage, have a written agreement, and retain control over work methods. The law directly affects independent contractors in construction, commercial driving, and equipment operation who currently lack workers' compensation protections.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates occupational accident insurance with $1M medical benefits per injury for contractors, expanding healthcare coverage access for a vulnerable worker group.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates occupational accident insurance for independent contractors with $1M medical coverage per injury, expanding protections for a group typically excluded from workers' comp.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 561: HEALTH/ANATOMICAL GIFTS: Provides relative to unpaid leave for living organ donations

HB 561 requires Louisiana employers with 20+ employees to grant up to 160 hours of unpaid leave for employees undergoing living organ donation procedures. It mandates employers to provide this leave without retaliation, allowing employees to request time off for medical procedures related to donating an organ (like a kidney or part of the liver). Employers may require verification from a healthcare provider to confirm the need and duration of the leave. This law directly affects living organ donors employed by qualifying Louisiana businesses, ensuring they can take time off for donation without losing their job.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates employer leave for organ donation, improving access to healthcare services and protecting donor rights without restricting coverage.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates unpaid leave for organ donation without retaliation, protecting workers' rights under employment standards per bill's requirements.95% confidence

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signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 301: LABOR: Creates the Independent Contractor Voluntary Portable Benefits Act

HB 301 creates the "Independent Contractor Voluntary Portable Benefits Act," allowing independent contractors in Louisiana to establish portable benefit accounts. These accounts, owned by the contractor and not tied to any specific employer, can be funded through voluntary contributions from hiring parties (like companies) or the contractors themselves, with clear opt-in and opt-out requirements. Key provisions include allowing contributions for health insurance, retirement, disability, and other benefits, while explicitly stating these contributions cannot be used to determine employment status or create employer liability under state labor laws. The bill directly affects independent contractors by providing a mechanism to access portable benefits across multiple clients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly enables health insurance coverage through portable benefit accounts for independent contractors, expanding access to healthcare benefits via voluntary contributions.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates portable benefits for independent contractors, expanding access to health, retirement, and disability coverage without employer ties, advancing worker benefit options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Gig Economy

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 585: LABOR: Enacts the Discount Retailer Workforce Safety and Retention Act

HB 585, the Discount Retailer Workforce Safety and Retention Act, requires Louisiana small box discount retailers (stores with 5,000-10,000 sq ft selling discounted goods to consumers) employing 15+ workers to create written safety plans addressing workplace violence risks. The law mandates risk assessments for factors like late shifts, cash handling, and uncontrolled access, and requires specific safety measures such as improved lighting, drop safes, and panic buttons after two violent incidents at a location within a year. It prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who report violence or contact law enforcement during incidents. Employees can seek civil remedies, including attorney fees, for violations within one year of the incident. The bill directly affects retail employers meeting the size and type criteria, focusing on concrete safety protocols rather than broader policy changes.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates written safety plans, risk assessments, and specific safety measures (lighting, panic buttons) for retail workers, directly strengthening workplace safety protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workplace Safety

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 172: CIVIL SERVICE/STATE: (Constitutional Amendment) Provides for supplemental pay for fire protection officers employed by an airport authority (OR +$316,800 GF EX See Note)

HB 172 is a constitutional amendment proposal that would allow Louisiana's legislature to provide supplemental state pay to fire protection officers employed by airport authorities. Currently, the state constitution permits supplemental pay for fire officers at port authorities but not airport authorities; this amendment would extend that provision to include airport fire departments. If approved by voters in the November 2026 election, it would change Article X, Section 10(A)(1)(b) of the Louisiana Constitution to explicitly include airport authorities under the existing pay framework. The amendment specifically affects full-time fire protection officers working at airports, not other public safety roles. This is a procedural change requiring voter approval, not a direct funding measure.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends supplemental pay to airport fire officers, increasing compensation as part of labor benefits under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees

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