This bill requires healthcare providers in Louisiana to obtain patient consent before posting medical test results that indicate serious medical conditions to online patient portals. It defines serious medical conditions as those that are life-threatening, could significantly alter a patient's quality of life, or require immediate or ongoing treatment. The law mandates that consent forms be presented separately, written in plain language, and include specific disclosures about electronic access to test results. Patients retain the right to revoke this consent at any time in writing, which would stop the provider from posting those results. The Louisiana Department of Health is authorized to create rules necessary to implement these requirements.
This bill updates Louisiana's TOPS-Tech scholarship program to clarify how funding is distributed to students in associate degree and shorter-term training programs. It establishes that eligible students will receive awards equal to tuition and fees from the 2016-2017 academic year, with adjustments for programs that no longer align with state priorities. The legislation also allows TOPS-Tech awards for students in registered apprenticeships and employees at approved workforce providers, while requiring the Board of Regents and Louisiana Works to track program outcomes and submit annual reports to the legislature.
This bill legalizes the use of lottery courier services in Louisiana, allowing customers to order lottery tickets online through authorized third-party services that deliver the tickets or prizes to them within the state. It establishes clear rules for these services, including requirements for age verification, secure ticket storage, responsible gaming limits, and the use of designated terminals at licensed retail locations. The legislation also creates a financial mechanism where retailers participating in courier sales receive a lower commission, with the difference distributed to retailers who do not engage in courier sales. Additionally, the bill clarifies that using these services does not constitute illegal gambling or gambling by computer under state law.
This bill strengthens privacy protections for sensitive information handled by child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary investigative teams in Louisiana. It establishes that work product - including forensic interviews, medical records, and case notes - created during child abuse investigations is confidential and exempt from public records requests, subpoenas, and most legal discovery. The law requires these organizations to adopt written confidentiality policies that limit information sharing to authorized team members and allow disclosure only through court orders or specific legal exceptions. These provisions aim to protect the privacy of children and families while enabling professionals to collaborate effectively on abuse investigations.
This bill, known as the "Stop The Calls" Act, requires telecommunications providers in Louisiana to implement federal call authentication technology and maintain plans to reduce robocalls. It mandates that phone companies take steps to prevent and detect spoofed caller ID traffic, investigate complaints from the attorney general, and stop carrying traffic from customers who engage in unlawful spoofing after receiving notice. The law establishes civil penalties of up to $10,000 per knowing violation and $1,000 per negligent failure to comply, while protecting providers from liability if they act in good faith to meet federal requirements. The attorney general can enforce these rules through civil actions seeking penalties, restitution, and injunctive relief. The bill explicitly states it must align with federal telecommunications laws and cannot conflict with federal preemption.
SB 251 establishes the "Louisiana Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2026" to safeguard critical infrastructure - including gas/oil systems, water delivery, telecommunications, power grids, emergency services, and transportation systems - from foreign adversaries. The bill prohibits companies and government entities from entering agreements that allow foreign adversaries (as defined by federal regulations) to access or control critical infrastructure, and bans the use of adversary cameras and laser sensors in Louisiana transportation systems. Companies must certify their access, conduct background checks on employees with infrastructure access, store data outside foreign adversary countries, and report cyber incidents to the Governor's Office of Homeland Security, with exceptions only for unavoidable needs approved by that office. This directly affects businesses and government agencies operating critical infrastructure in Louisiana.
SB 75 requires local governments in Louisiana (such as parishes and municipalities) to meet cybersecurity standards to qualify for state assistance after a cyberattack. The Governor's Office of Homeland Security must create these standards and rules, which must align with national guidelines. Crucially, if a local government does not meet these standards but still receives state cybersecurity support, it must reimburse the state for those services. The bill establishes a clear financial responsibility for noncompliant local entities seeking state aid.
HB 807 establishes a special fund within Louisiana's state treasury to support the Community and Technical College System's workforce training programs. It directly affects community colleges and private-sector employers in high-demand industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology by providing funding to hire more instructors and expand training capacity. Key provisions include using the fund for rapid-response instructor deployment, recruitment incentives, temporary instructors, and salary supplements - while prohibiting these funds from replacing existing state higher education funding. The program requires annual reporting to legislative committees on fund usage, supported industries, and credentials awarded.
HB 220 requires "covered platforms" (like social media, video games, and messaging apps that host user-generated content) to implement a clear, easy-to-use reporting mechanism for suspected child exploitation content. Platforms must provide plain-language labels like "Report Child Sexual Exploitation," allow anonymous reporting without account registration, and confirm receipt of reports. Non-compliant platforms face civil penalties of up to $5,000 per day, with funds directed to child cybercrime investigations. The law excludes email services, government sites, educational tools, and non-user-generated content platforms from its requirements.
HB 547 prohibits anyone from knowingly photographing, recording, or reproducing voter registration information found in precinct registers. This law directly affects election workers, poll workers, and others who handle physical voter registration materials at polling locations. The key provision bans these specific actions to protect voter privacy, with penalties for violations outlined in the bill. It focuses on preventing unauthorized access to sensitive voter data during elections. The bill does not change voter eligibility or election procedures, only restricting how precinct registration records may be handled.
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