Louisiana HB288: HEALTH CARE/RECORDS: Provides for the use of certain medical terminology in medical documentation (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

What the bill says

An act To enact R.S. 22:46.1 and R.S. 40:1300.81, relative to medical terminology; to provide for terminology used in medical documentation; to require certain terms be included in medical records and medical billing; and to provide for related matters.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT To enact R.S. 22:46.1 and R.S. 40:1300.81, relative to medical terminology; to provide for terminology used in medical documentation; to require certain terms be included in medical records and medical billing; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: Section 1. R.S. 22:46.1 is hereby enacted to read as follows: §46.1. Use of certain medical terminology Entities regulated by this Code shall include the term "miscarriage" in parentheses following the term "spontaneous abortion" when the term "spontaneous abortion" is utilized in medical documentation, such as medical records or medical billing. Section 2. R.S. 40:1300.81 is hereby enacted to read as follows: §1300.81. Use of certain medical terminology When the term "spontaneous abortion" is utilized in medical documentation, such as medical records or medical billing, the term "miscarriage" shall be added in parentheses following the term "spontaneous abortion". Page 1 of CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HLS 26RS-351 ORIGINAL HB NO. DIGEST The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HB 288 Original 2026 Regular Session Boyer Abstract: Requires …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Boyer, Chad (R, 46) · primary sponsor
• Adams, Roy (D, 62)
• Amedée, Beryl (R, 51)
• Bacala, Tony (R, 59)
• Bayham Jr., Michael (R, 103)
• Beaullieu IV, Gerald (R, 48)
• Billings, Beth (R, 56)
• Boudreaux, Doyle (R, 39)
• Carlson, Josh (R, 43)
• Carrier, Dewith (R, 32)
• Chenevert, Emily (R, 66)
• Crews, Raymond (R, 8)

Latest actions

1. May 29, 2026: Effective date: 08/01/2026.
2. May 29, 2026: Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 540.
3. May 26, 2026: Sent to the Governor for executive approval.
4. May 25, 2026: Signed by the President of the Senate.
5. May 25, 2026: Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
6. May 25, 2026: Received from the Senate without amendments.
7. May 21, 2026: Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
8. May 18, 2026: Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.
9. May 14, 2026: Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
10. May 13, 2026: Reported favorably.

Votes

• Senate Vote on HB 288, FINAL PASSAGE (#1153) (May 21, 2026): 36 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Vote on HB 288, FINAL PASSAGE (#389) (April 9, 2026): 98 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB288?

HB288 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): HEALTH CARE/RECORDS: Provides for the use of certain medical terminology in medical documentation (EN NO IMPACT See Note).

What does HB288 do?

In its own words: An act To enact R.S. 22:46.1 and R.S. 40:1300.81, relative to medical terminology; to provide for terminology used in medical documentation; to require certain terms be included in medical records and medical billing; and to provide for related matters.

What is the status of HB288?

Signed into law as of May 29, 2026. Latest action: Effective date: 08/01/2026. (May 29, 2026).

Who sponsored HB288?

Boyer, Chad (R, 46), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB288?

On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=HB288