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LouisianaSB 4262026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Provides relative to the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority. (2/3CA7s2.1(A)) (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE SG EX See Note)

Sponsored By: Jeremy Stine (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Health and Welfare

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Some convictions no longer bar counseling jobs

Beginning August 1, 2026, covered convictions alone cannot disqualify eligible people from specified jobs with state-licensed behavioral health providers. Covered jobs include certified or registered addiction counselor, counselor in training, and peer support specialist. Covered convictions include offenses under Louisiana R.S. 14:38.1 or 67, plus distribution or possession with intent to distribute Schedule I–V drugs. At least three years must pass after sentence completion or lawful release from confinement, supervision, or probation for the latest covered conviction. Applicants must complete the authority’s requirements; employers do not have to hire them.

Peer workers face fees and renewals

Beginning August 1, 2026, peer support specialists must renew every 12 months; supervisors must renew every 24 months. Each renewal period requires at least 20 approved education hours related to the credential, including six hours in ethics. The board sets renewal fees of $100–$300 for both groups and may add renewal requirements. Supervisor application fees are $50–$300, and written exam fees are $100–$300; each must cover its processing or administration cost. The law does not set exact fees within these ranges or specify education costs.

Peer workers face penalties and suspension

Beginning August 1, 2026, the board’s disciplinary powers expressly cover peer support specialists, including gross negligence in practice. The board can impose an administrative fee of up to $500 per violation and deny, revoke, or suspend credentials. To protect public health and safety, it can immediately suspend a certification, registration, or status when emergency action is required. It must promptly start disciplinary proceedings after an emergency suspension.

Peer workers gain paths with requirements

Beginning August 1, 2026, qualified applicants gain paths to peer support specialist certification and supervisor recognition. Applicants must be at least 18, be legal U.S. residents, meet ethical standards, and sign an accountability form. They must authorize state and national criminal-history checks and pass a written exam. Applicants with lived experience must attest to 12 months of stability and cannot be in acute treatment when applying. A felony conviction or guilty or no-contest plea bars eligibility unless the board grants a waiver after reviewing the applicant’s circumstances. Specialists must document peer support education and supervision. Supervisors must hold an approved peer specialist, licensed mental health professional, certified addiction counselor, or registered addiction counselor credential. The board must report application acceptance or rejection within 45 days, explain rejections, allow exam retakes, and provide disability accommodations.

Peer workers keep recognition during transfer

Beginning August 1, 2026, Louisiana’s Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority oversees peer support credentials instead of the state health department. Peer support specialists recognized by the department on that date keep their recognition. Their first renewal is due 12 months after their most recent department recognition, not 12 months after the transfer. The authority must convene experts to help coordinate the transfer. Its peer certification rules must align with national peer support standards and applicable federal Medicare and Medicaid requirements.

Peer support helps without replacing treatment

Beginning August 1, 2026, peer specialists can provide supervised guidance, mentorship, and support for people with behavioral health conditions. They can also support family members and others affected by the condition. A licensed mental health professional or recognized peer support supervisor must supervise them; specialists cannot practice independently. Peer support complements clinical treatment but does not replace it. Peer support providers cannot diagnose, perform clinical assessments, provide psychotherapy, or offer other services requiring a professional license.

Addiction counselors face updated practice rules

Certified and registered addiction counselors must register an eligible supervisor with the board and keep regular, documented supervision. Supervisors must be licensed addiction counselors or eligible mental health professionals with current Louisiana licenses in good standing. Eligible professions include medical psychologists, psychologists, clinical social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, advanced practice registered nurses, and rehabilitation counselors. Trainees can use a licensed mental health professional only when no licensed, certified, or registered addiction counselor is available. Gambling counselor candidates must maintain the required credential and have no pending disciplinary action with the relevant board. The board also recognizes counseling based on knowledge, skills, and attitudes or core counseling tasks, as appropriate for the disorder.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jeremy Stine

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 143 • No: 0

House vote • 5/19/2026

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 97, nays 0. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote • 5/12/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/7/2026

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 36 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 767.

    6/2/2026Senate

  2. Effective date 8/1/2026.

    6/2/2026Senate

  3. Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate.

    5/27/2026Senate

  4. Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/26/2026Senate

  5. Signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/26/2026House

  6. Read by title, returned to the calendar.

    5/19/2026House

  7. Called from the calendar.

    5/19/2026House

  8. Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 97, nays 0. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

    5/19/2026House

  9. Received from the House with amendments.

    5/19/2026Senate

  10. Read by title, amended, passed to 3rd reading.

    5/18/2026House

  11. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/19/2026.

    5/18/2026House

  12. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

    5/13/2026House

  13. Reported with amendments (10-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/12/2026House

  14. Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.

    4/9/2026House

  15. Received in the House from the Senate, read by title, lies over under the rules.

    4/8/2026House

  16. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    4/7/2026Senate

  17. Read by title. Ordered engrossed and passed to third reading and final passage.

    3/31/2026Senate

  18. Substitute for Senate Bill No. 168. Read by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

    3/30/2026Senate

Bill Text

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