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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
HB 185 clarifies the definition of an "independent contractor" under Louisiana's workers' compensation law. It states that independent contractors are generally excluded from workers' comp coverage unless "a substantial part" of their work involves manual labor. The bill specifically excludes trucking-related tasks (like driving, fueling, or connecting trailers) from counting as manual labor. Additionally, it expands coverage to include employees of independent contractors and other contractors working through them. This change directly affects workers and businesses classified as independent contractors in Louisiana.
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.
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.
HB 812 authorizes a 5% annual increase in salary for Louisiana parish assessors (who determine property values for tax purposes) through 2029. The bill requires assessors to publish a 30-day notice in their parish's official journal before implementing each raise, with the first increase effective in 2026. The raises apply to all assessors regardless of parish size, building on existing salary tiers based on population. This change affects approximately 64 parish assessors statewide, with four scheduled increases (one per year) over the 2026-2029 period. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, pending legislative approval if vetoed.
HB 422, the Behind the Counter Safety Act, requires retail stores, restaurants, pharmacies, and similar food service or retail establishments in Louisiana to create written workplace violence prevention plans. These plans must include risk assessments, safety measures (like panic buttons or bullet-resistant counters), employee training, and incident reporting procedures. The bill also mandates visible warning signs stating "Violence against employees is a crime," prohibits retaliation against employees who report violence, and requires businesses to report incidents to law enforcement and Louisiana Works. Additionally, the state department must provide public resources on workplace violence prevention and maintain anonymized incident data.
