HB1137 was amended during legislative session. Originally it would have prohibited employers from disciplining or terminating employees for misgendering others or misusing their pronouns. The original proposal would have made it harder for employers to enforce workplace policies around respectful conduct and could have limited protections for transgender employees facing harassment in the workplace.

The final version of the bill that passed is significantly narrower and applies only to state and local government employers. Rather than applying to all workplaces, it limits what public agencies can require employees to say regarding names and pronouns and protects public employees from workplace discipline related to those issues . While the amended bill is less sweeping than the original proposal, it still singles out trans people and creates new barriers to fostering inclusive environments within government workplaces.

STATUS: Amended and passed

HB578 is an anti-trans bill that would define “sex” in Louisiana law as sex assigned at birth and require that definition to be used across government data systems and certain forms, such as expungement forms. This approach is largely redundant of legislation passed in 2024, which already defined sex in state law based on a person’s sex at birth. Trans people already know that many of these systems and forms fail to accurately represent who we are. This bill sends a message to trans people that they are less worthy of respect and consideration.

Louisiana lawmakers should focus on solving the real problems facing our communities, like the cost of living, rather than rehashing symbolic, unsportsmanlike bills that distract from what actually matters. At a time when many Louisianans are struggling with affordability, wages, and housing costs, this bill does nothing to improve people’s daily lives. Prioritizing repeat bills like HB578 diverts attention from solutions that would actually help people across the state.

STATUS: Passed

SB121 redraws Louisiana's congressional districts to reduce Black voting power in the state's congressional delegation. The bill eliminates one of Louisiana's two majority-Black congressional districts, leaving only a single majority-Black district among the state's six U.S. House seats, and replacing the map adopted just two years ago. Supporters openly described the goal as maximizing partisan advantage, but because race and party are closely linked in Louisiana, the practical effect is reducing the ability of Black voters to elect candidates of their choice in a state where roughly one-third of residents are Black.

By dismantling a district that provided additional representation for Black communities, the bill disenfranchises many voters and shifts political power away from communities that have historically faced barriers to full participation in Louisiana's electoral system.

STATUS: Passed

HB211 was amended during the legislative session. Originally it would have created a Homelessness Court program while also creating a new crime of unauthorized camping on public property, allowing people experiencing homelessness to be fined or jailed for sleeping outside in places not designated for camping. The original bill also made a second or subsequent camping offense a felony punishable by up to two years in prison. Although the bill included pathways to treatment, housing assistance, and dismissal of charges through a specialized court program, it also criminalized homelessness by making basic survival activities punishable by the criminal justice system.

The final version of the bill that passed retains both the Homelessness Court program and the new crime of unauthorized camping on public property, but reduces some of the harsher penalties in the original proposal. Most notably, repeat offenses were amended from a felony to a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail, and the bill adds protections related to property storage and liability for service providers and local governments . While supporters describe the bill as connecting people to services, its central approach remains criminalizing homelessness rather than addressing the root causes of housing instability, poverty, and inadequate access to affordable housing.

STATUS: Amended and Passed

HB255 would allow courts to add up to two additional years in prison if someone commits certain crimes while wearing a mask intended to conceal their identity. The bill applies this sentencing enhancement to dozens of offenses, including property damage, disturbing the peace, resisting an officer, obstructing public passages or highways, and rioting. While framed as a public safety measure, the proposal could increase penalties for people involved in protests or demonstrations where wearing masks is common, potentially discouraging participation in public demonstrations or increasing legal risks for protesters. It also raises concerns about personal freedom, as it effectively punishes people more harshly for choosing to wear a mask in public, and proving someone’s intent to hide their identity can be difficult and subjective in practice.

STATUS: Became substitute bill HB1259, but that bill failed to pass.

HB132 was amended during the legislative session. Originally it would have expanded the crime of battery of a police officer to include directing loud sound at an officer's head or ears at close range and created enhanced penalties when multiple people acted together. Because protest activity often involves bullhorns, megaphones, and other amplified sound near police, the original bill could have increased legal risks for demonstrators and expanded criminal liability in protest settings.

The final version of the bill that passed is broader in some ways but narrower in others. Rather than creating a new offense specific to police officers and adding enhanced penalties, the final bill amends Louisiana's general battery law to define battery as including intentionally directing sound at any person's head or ears at close range when it is capable of causing pain, hearing impairment, or bodily injury . The amendments removed the police-specific provisions and heightened penalties, and because the law now applies to everyone, it could theoretically be used against police officers who direct sirens, acoustic devices, or other loud sounds at members of the public. However, the new definition still raises questions about how broadly it could be interpreted and applied in protests, public demonstrations, and other situations involving amplified sound.

STATUS: Amended and Passed

HB775 would require parental consent for most medical and mental health care provided to minors under age 17. The bill would repeal existing laws that allow minors to consent to certain medical treatments on their own and instead require consent from a parent or legal guardian for most care, while keeping limited exceptions such as treatment related to pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, substance misuse, abuse or neglect, or emergencies. It would also require healthcare providers to give parents access to a minor’s medical records and remove a school or facility’s authority to provide preventive counseling or treatment without parental consent. If enacted, the bill could limit minors’ ability to seek confidential healthcare, particularly for sensitive services like mental health care or sexual health, potentially discouraging some young people from seeking treatment if they cannot safely involve a parent or guardian.

STATUS: Passed

SB194 would require state agencies to refer public benefit applicants who fail citizenship or immigration verification to ICE. The bill would require state agencies to verify citizenship or immigration status for applicants seeking public benefits such as Medicaid, SNAP, and other government assistance, limit which immigration statuses qualify for certain health programs, and terminate benefits if applicants fail to provide documentation during the verification period. It would also require agencies to report individuals with unsatisfactory immigration status to ICE and include those cases in reports to state officials. Applicants who cannot verify eligible immigration status could lose access to public benefits and have their information referred to federal immigration authorities, increasing the risk of enforcement actions.

STATUS: Passed

HB613 would require Louisiana driver’s licenses and state IDs to display an image indicating whether the cardholder is a U.S. citizen. The bill directs the Office of Motor Vehicles to place an image of an eagle in flight on licenses and ID cards when the applicant’s citizenship has been verified and requires the agency to create rules for verifying citizenship and displaying the symbol. If enacted, citizens would receive IDs marked with the eagle, while people without citizenship status would receive IDs without the symbol, creating a visible distinction on state IDs. This could negatively affect immigrants by making their status easier to identify in everyday situations, such as employment verification, housing, or interactions with law enforcement, increasing the risk of discrimination.

STATUS: Passed

HB691 would require Louisiana to check voter registration records against a federal immigration database to identify people who may not be citizens on the voter rolls. The bill directs the secretary of state to annually submit voter data to the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, send any potential matches to the state’s election integrity division for investigation, and allow local registrars to challenge and potentially cancel those voter registrations if confirmed. The proposal is widely seen as addressing a problem that already has strong legal safeguards. People without U.S. citizenship are already prohibited from voting, and documented cases of ineligible voting are extremely rare. As a result, the bill is often viewed as advancing claims about widespread voter fraud that lack evidence and could lead to unnecessary investigations or challenges to legitimate voters.

STATUS: Passed

SB307 would authorize the installation of a Ten Commandments monument on the Louisiana State Capitol grounds and expand laws encouraging the display of religious documents as part of the state’s legal and cultural history. The bill directs the commissioner of administration to arrange for a privately funded monument displaying the Ten Commandments at the Capitol and expands existing law allowing government buildings, including schools, to display religious documents such as the Ten Commandments, the Mayflower Compact, and the Declaration of Independence alongside contextual explanations about religion’s role in legal history. This bill comes as Louisiana is already facing ongoing legal challenges over a separate law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms, raising concerns about government promotion of a specific religious text. By encouraging more religious displays on public property, including schools, the bill could deepen ongoing legal disputes over the separation of church and state.

STATUS: Passed

HB4 would call a constitutional convention to draft a new Louisiana state constitution. The bill would create a convention of 93 delegates, most elected from legislative and Public Service Commission districts and 10 appointed by the governor, to meet beginning December 29, 2026, and draft a proposed constitution by October 2027. The proposed constitution would then be submitted to voters statewide for approval at the November 2027 gubernatorial election, and if approved, it would replace the current 1974 Louisiana Constitution at the end of that year. Because the convention would have authority to entirely rewrite the state’s governing document, the outcome could significantly affect Louisiana residents by potentially changing how state government operates, altering constitutional protections, or moving some existing constitutional provisions into ordinary law that could be changed more easily by the legislature.

The bill was amended to move the start date of this constitutional convention back to Monday, April 10, 2028 and pushes back all other dates in the bill to correlate with this schedule change. The new constitution would now go into affect in 2029. Other than these date changes, the rest of the bill seems to remain intact.

STATUS: Failed - Pending hearing in Senate and Governmental Affairs.

HB410 was amended during the legislative session. Originally it would have required that all parties be notified before someone records or transcribes an in-person conversation. The original bill applied broadly to recordings and transcriptions of direct conversations, with exceptions for public meetings, law enforcement activity, emergencies, and recordings of public officials performing duties in public.

The final version of the bill that passed is significantly narrower. Rather than applying to all recordings, it only requires notice when a participant uses a wearable eyeglass recording device, such as smart glasses, to record or transcribe a direct conversation. The final bill also adds numerous exceptions, including recordings made to preserve evidence in civil or criminal proceedings, recordings made in a person's home, business, or vehicle, and recordings of public officials or law enforcement under certain circumstances . The amendments substantially soften the original proposal by limiting it to a specific technology and creating broad exceptions that preserve many common recording situations.

STATUS: Amended and Passed

HB752 would attempt to amend the Louisiana Constitution to give the legislature more control over when and how long its regular sessions last. The proposal would move the annual regular session start date to the second Monday in February and remove many constitutional deadlines and subject-matter restrictions that currently limit what lawmakers can introduce or pass in different years, instead allowing the legislature to set session timing and procedures through joint rules approved by a two-thirds vote. If adopted, this could give lawmakers greater flexibility to change session schedules and consider a wider range of legislation, but it would also remove the predictable structure of the current system, which helps the public understand when and how legislation is considered.

Constitutional amendments must be approved by voters statewide after passing the legislature.

STATUS: Awaiting House floor debate.

SB310 would require student health centers in public high schools, colleges, and universities to display signs directing students to pregnancy resources. The bill requires large posters stating “Pregnant? Help Is Available for You and Your Baby!” along with a link to pregnancy resources listed by the Louisiana Department of Health, and allows the department or a designated nonprofit organization to design, produce, or donate the signs. Because these resources can include anti-abortion “pregnancy centers,” the bill could steer students toward organizations that often present themselves as medical clinics but are known for providing misleading information and discouraging abortion care rather than offering comprehensive reproductive health services.

STATUS: Sent to governor for signing.

HB808 was amended during the legislative session. Originally it modernized Louisiana's HIV criminalization law by narrowing prosecutions to cases involving intentional transmission or attempted transmission of HIV, defining what constitutes a substantial likelihood of transmission based on current medical science, and clarifying that conduct posing no medically recognized risk could not be criminalized. The original bill also would have limited sex offender registration consequences to cases involving sexual contact and recognized that people whose HIV treatment effectively eliminates the risk of transmission should have a defense available under the law .

The final version of the bill that passed still maintains many of the changes that modernizes Louisiana's HIV criminalization law, though not as extensively as originally proposed. The final bill updates the law to reflect current medical science by requiring a substantial likelihood of transmission, excluding conduct that poses no medically recognized risk, and providing additional protections for people who are receiving effective HIV treatment and maintaining viral suppression . While amendments removed some of the broader reforms included in the original bill, the final version is still an important step toward aligning Louisiana law with modern scientific understanding of HIV and addressing a criminalization framework that can discourage people from getting tested by penalizing those who know their status.

STATUS: Amended and Passed

HB293 would prohibit employment discrimination in Louisiana based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill adds these categories to the state’s employment discrimination law, making it illegal for employers, employment agencies, or labor organizations to refuse to hire, fire, or otherwise treat someone differently in employment because they are LGBTQ+. By adding these protections to state law, the bill would provide clearer legal safeguards for LGBTQ+ workers and help ensure people cannot lose jobs or employment opportunities simply because of who they are or who they love.

This is the 33rd year this bill has been filed in our state legislature.

STATUS: Bill failed to pass House Labor and Industrial Relations as it has for decades.

HB591 would create a framework in Louisiana law for employers to offer paid family leave insurance to workers. The bill allows insurance companies to sell policies that provide wage replacement when employees need time off for reasons such as caring for a sick family member, bonding with a new child after birth, adoption, or foster placement, or addressing certain military family needs. Policies would be required to offer at least 2 weeks of paid family leave within a 52-week period, with details such as benefit amounts and waiting periods set out in the policy. By establishing a legal framework for paid family leave insurance, the bill would expand workers' options to receive income support during major family or caregiving events without losing their pay.

STATUS: Passed

HB636 would strengthen Louisiana’s laws to prevent hazing at public colleges and universities. The bill expands requirements for hazing education, reporting, and transparency by requiring student organizations to report hazing incidents to both their institution and law enforcement, mandating annual hazing prevention training for students and advisors, and requiring schools to publish information about hazing violations and disciplinary actions on publicly accessible websites. It also requires institutions to provide support resources for hazing victims and establishes stronger penalties for organizations that violate hazing rules, including possible long-term suspension or permanent bans in severe cases. By improving reporting, education, and accountability, the bill aims to better protect students and prevent dangerous hazing practices on college campuses.

STATUS: Passed

HB195 would allow students at public colleges and universities in Louisiana to carry small self-defense chemical sprays, such as pepper spray, on campus. The bill prohibits public postsecondary institutions from banning these devices if they are compact and contain no more than two ounces of chemicals. However, schools could still restrict them in buildings or events with armed security or where prohibited by contract. By allowing students to carry self-defense spray, the bill aims to give students an additional option to protect themselves in situations where they may feel unsafe on campus.

STATUS: Passed

HB227 would allow court filings in Louisiana to be submitted on standard letter-size paper instead of requiring legal-size paper. The bill updates civil and criminal court filing rules so pleadings and documents filed electronically or on paper may use either legal or letter-size paper. This change would simplify court filings, make document preparation easier for self-represented individuals, and reduce printing costs by allowing the use of the more common paper size used by most printers and offices.

STATUS: Passed

HB392 would expand requirements for Louisiana schools to share suicide prevention hotline information with students. The bill requires both middle schools and high schools to post the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on school websites and student ID cards, along with an explanation that the number can be called or texted and any available local or state suicide prevention hotline numbers. By making this information more visible and accessible, the bill aims to ensure students can quickly find crisis support resources when they or their peers need help.

STATUS: Passed

SB195 would allow emergency medical personnel in Louisiana to administer a patient’s own time-critical prescription medication during emergencies. The bill authorizes licensed EMTs, advanced EMTs, and paramedics to give medications carried by the patient, such as those used to treat rare diseases, chronic conditions, or special medical needs, when requested by the patient or their family and in accordance with protocols set by the state EMS commission. It also provides legal protections for EMS personnel who administer the medication unless harm results from gross negligence. By allowing first responders to use patient-carried medications in emergencies, the bill could help people with serious medical conditions receive faster treatment during life-threatening situations.

STATUS: Passed

SB365 would create the Louisiana Voting Rights Act to strengthen protections against voter suppression and vote dilution. The bill prohibits election policies or practices that reduce voting access or weaken the voting power of communities based on race, color, or language minority status, and allows individuals or organizations to challenge those practices in court. It also creates a Louisiana Voting Rights Commission to review certain election changes in advance and ensure they do not harm voting rights. By establishing stronger state-level protections, the bill helps safeguard fair access to the ballot and protect communities whose voting power has historically been undermined.

STATUS: Failed to pass Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs.

SB92 would require district attorneys in Louisiana to submit sexual assault evidence kits to the statewide tracking system. The bill ensures that prosecutors’ offices participate in the system operated by state police that tracks sexual assault collection kits and related information. By requiring full participation from district attorneys, the bill helps improve transparency and accountability in how sexual assault evidence is handled, which can help survivors track the status of their kits and reduce the risk that evidence goes untested or lost in the system.

STATUS: Passed

HB792 would require Louisiana correctional facilities to establish a voluntary screening program to test inmates for HIV and hepatitis C. The bill directs the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to implement standardized testing at intake for inmates expected to remain in custody for at least 72 hours, while allowing individuals to decline testing without affecting their privileges or status. It also requires that inmates who test positive receive access to appropriate medical treatment and that test results remain confidential. By expanding testing and linking people to care, the bill could help improve treatment access for incarcerated people and reduce transmission both inside correctional facilities and in the broader community when people are released.

STATUS: Failed to pass the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee.

SB226 would prohibit insurance companies in Louisiana from setting rates based on a person’s gender. The bill adds gender to the list of characteristics, such as race, color, creed, and national origin, that insurers cannot use when classifying risk to determine insurance pricing. By banning gender-based pricing, the bill aims to prevent discrimination in insurance rates and ensure people are not charged more simply because of their gender.

STATUS: Failed to pass the Senate Insurance Committee.

HB585 would require small box discount retailers in Louisiana to create workplace safety plans to address violence against employees. The bill requires these stores to evaluate risks such as employees working alone, late-night shifts, or handling cash, and to implement safety measures like improved lighting, visibility in high-risk areas, and systems for reporting violent incidents. If a store experiences repeated violent incidents, it must install panic buttons and review staffing levels during higher-risk times. The bill also protects workers from retaliation for reporting workplace violence and allows employees to take legal action if employers fail to comply.

Examples of small box discount retailers in Louisiana include chains like Dollar General, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree.

STATUS: Bill did not pass House Labor and Industrial Relations Committee.

HB353 would establish a state minimum wage in Louisiana and gradually increase it over time. The bill would set the minimum wage at $12 per hour beginning in 2027, increase it to $15 per hour in 2029, and then adjust it annually starting in 2031 based on inflation using the Consumer Price Index. It also requires employers who violate the law to pay the difference in wages owed and face financial penalties. By creating a state minimum wage, something Louisiana currently does not have, the bill would help raise pay for low-wage workers and ensure wages keep pace with rising costs over time.

STATUS: Failed to pass House Labor and Industrial Relations Committee.

HB209 would establish a state minimum wage in Louisiana and gradually raise it over several years. The bill would set the minimum wage at $10 per hour beginning in 2027, increase it to $12 in 2029, and $14 in 2031, while also allowing workers to sue employers who fail to pay the required wage and recover unpaid wages, attorney fees, and court costs. By creating a state minimum wage and giving workers tools to enforce it, the bill would help raise pay for low-wage workers and hold employers accountable when they fail to pay employees what the law requires.

STATUS: Failed to pass House Labor and Industrial Relations Committee.

SB230 would attempt to amend the Louisiana Constitution to establish a statewide minimum wage. The proposal would require most employers to pay at least $10.25 per hour beginning January 1, 2027, with the wage increasing each year based on inflation using the Consumer Price Index. The amendment includes exceptions allowing lower wages for workers under age sixteen, employees of very small businesses with annual gross receipts of $300k or less, tipped workers whose tips bring them up to the livable wage, certain family members working in family-owned businesses, and workers with disabilities who receive special wage certificates. By creating a minimum wage in the state constitution and tying it to inflation, the measure aims to ensure wages rise over time and provide more stable income for low-wage workers. Because this proposal is a constitutional amendment, it is harder to pass than the other minimum wage bills filed this session, as it must receive a two-thirds vote in the legislature and then be approved by voters statewide, while the other do not meet this higher threshold.

STATUS: Failed to pass the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee.

HB470 would create the Louisiana Workforce Development Equity and Opportunity Program to expand job training and economic opportunities for underrepresented workers. The bill would provide grants to training providers, such as community colleges, technical programs, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities, to develop programs that prepare people for high-growth industries such as clean energy, information technology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. It also provides financial support to participants for tuition, living expenses, and certification exams, while creating employer partnerships that guarantee interviews for graduates. By investing in workforce training and removing barriers like cost and access to education, the bill aims to help more Louisianans, especially people from communities historically excluded from higher-paying industries, enter stable, well-paying careers.

STATUS: This bill did not pass House Labor and Industrial Relations Committee.

HB479 would require Louisiana courts to report sentencing data so the state can better understand the costs of incarceration. The bill requires clerks of court to submit quarterly reports to the legislative auditor containing information such as the number of people sentenced to prison, the total number of years of confinement ordered, and the ages of those sentenced to 20 years or more. The legislative auditor would then use this information, along with state budget data, to produce annual reports estimating the cost of incarceration over the next five years. By improving transparency about sentencing patterns and prison costs, the bill aims to give lawmakers and the public clearer information about the financial impact of criminal justice policies.

STATUS: Failed to pass House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee.

HB373 would create a temporary pilot program allowing adults age 21 and older to legally purchase cannabis in Louisiana without a medical card. The bill establishes a regulated adult-use cannabis program running from January 1, 2027 through July 1, 2030, allowing sales through the state’s existing marijuana retailers while keeping the current medical program in place. The program would be overseen by the Louisiana Department of Health and would include requirements for testing, tracking, and licensing similar to those in the existing medical system. By testing a limited adult-use market before making it permanent, the bill aims to evaluate how legalization could work in Louisiana while generating tax revenue and providing a regulated alternative to the illegal cannabis market.

STATUS: Never had a hearing in the House Health and Welfare Committee.

HB539 would allow bars and restaurants in Louisiana to sell consumable hemp products. The bill repeals a current restriction that prevents businesses with a Class A alcohol permit, such as bars and restaurants, from obtaining permits to sell consumable hemp products. By removing this prohibition, the bill would allow these businesses to sell hemp-derived products like certain CBD or hemp beverages alongside alcohol, expanding retail opportunities for businesses and increasing access for consumers.

STATUS: Bill was withdrawn from consideration this session.

HB472 would allow cities and parishes in Louisiana to adopt rent stabilization policies. The bill gives local governments the authority to pass ordinances limiting how quickly rent can increase if approved by a majority vote of the local governing body. By allowing local rent stabilization measures, the bill would give communities a tool to address rising housing costs and help renters avoid sudden or extreme rent increases that can lead to displacement.

STATUS: Involuntarily deferred in committee.

HB244 would attempt to amend the state constitution to change how a new constitution could be approved by voters. The bill would require that any proposed constitution from a constitutional convention be approved not only by a majority of voters statewide but also by voters in at least three-fourths of Louisiana’s parishes before it can take effect. By adding this additional requirement, the proposal would make it harder to adopt a new constitution and ensure that support for such a major change is broad across the state rather than concentrated in a few areas.

All constitutional amendments must be approved by voters statewide after passing the legislature.

STATUS: Passed House and now awaiting hearing in Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs.