Legislative Update: Regular Session Wins, Special Session Begins Tonight

United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community.

2020 Regular Legislative Session Wins, Special Session Begins Tonight

Dear Advocates,

The Louisiana Legislature will end its pandemic-shortened regular session tonight and spring into a month-long special lawmaking session that will focus on budget priorities and initiatives sought by business lobbyists. UWSELA's Public Policy team is excited to report several legislative wins from the 2020 Legislative Regular Session below. Thank you for making these possible! We look forward to continuing to fight with you for legislation that lifts those living in poverty and ALICE during the special session.

Education

HB 251 authored by Rep. Stephanie Hilferty recreates the Early Childhood Care and Education Commission and was adopted in House concurrence.

Financial Stability

HB 328 authored by Rep. Aimee Adatto Freeman will allow local municipalities to exempt child and adult diapers, as well as feminine hygiene products, from local sales taxes. It passed on the Senate floor and currently awaits the governor’s signature. It carried bipartisan support from 40 co-authors and women’s and religious organizations across the state. Former State Senator JP Morrell put years of effort into similar legislation, and this new law will provide a measure of financial relief on essential products.

Health

HB 474 authored by Rep. Aimee Adatto Freeman provides relative to the training requirements of certain mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. This bill passed on the Senate floor unopposed. It will require teachers and school staff to annually complete a simple online training on mandatory reporting requirements for child abuse and neglect. This important training will help keep our children safe, while also protecting teachers by keeping them up-to-date on their responsibilities as mandatory reporters.

SB 494 authored by Sen. Troy Carter provides relative to coverage for mastectomies and reconstructive surgery. This bill passed on the House Floor unanimously. No later than January 1, 2021, insurance will cover contralateral prophylactic mastectomies.

Health and Education Alliance of Louisiana Advocates for State Medicaid Plan Amendments

United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s Community Partner, the Health and Education Alliance of Louisiana (HEAL) , is pleased to share that its work with state leadership to amend the state’s Medicaid plan has passed. Prior to the amendment, a Medicaid-eligible child had to have a health service included in an Individualized Education Plan for Special Education for a school to be reimbursed for medically necessary health services. This translated to reimbursement for health services for approximately 12-15% of the student population.

Now, student population served has been broadened to include special education students, as well those students with 504 plans and health plans that require a medically necessary health service. It also broadened the type of services and service providers that are eligible for reimbursement. Services such as personal care services and ABA therapy for students with Autism are now included. What this means for schools is that they will be able to access millions of dollars in federal Medicaid reimbursement for health expenses at no additional cost to the state. It is a wonderful advancement that has significant implications for the health and education of our children.

Thank you to Connie Bellone (HEAL Chief Executive Officer) and Phyllis Landrieu (HEAL President Emeritus) for providing this update.

Ready Louisiana Early Care & Education Funding Update

Presently, there are wins and losses on the early care and education front. Existing funding for early care and education is preserved, which is excellent news. However, all the new funding we were hoping for to expand access to early care and education has been eliminated in the most recent budget proposal.

The House Appropriations committee has scheduled a public hearing on the budget for Thursday, June 4, beginning at 9 a.m. We encourage you to submit public statements to andressk@legis.la.gov by Wednesday, June 4, at 6 p.m., which will be included as part of the legislative record. View talking points here .

We need to keep early care and education on everyone's mind. Louisiana's children were underserved before the pandemic, and the problem is only getting worse now. Every dollar that can go toward early care and education is a dollar with a 13% return on investment for families, businesses, and Louisiana's economy. In addition to sending public comment to andressk@legis.la.gov, please continue to reach out directly to the legislators on the House Appropriations and Senate Finance committees, urging them to increase funding for early care and education.

Thank you for fighting with United Way for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Kim Sport

Public Policy Committee Chair

United Way of Southeast Louisiana

Charmaine Caccioppi

Executive Vice President & COO

United Way of Southeast Louisiana