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HLS 26RS-209 RE-REENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 457
BY REPRESENTATIVES KNOX, ADAMS, BERAULT, CARPENTER, CARRIER,
CHASSION, DEWITT, EGAN, FREIBERG, LAFLEUR, AND LYONS
HOMELESS: Establishes minimum housing standards for individuals experiencing
homelessness
1 AN ACT
2 To enact Part IV of Chapter 3 of Title 40 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be
3 comprised of R.S. 40:581, relative to housing standards for organizations providing
4 services to individuals experiencing homelessness; to provide for duties of the
5 Louisiana Department of Health; to provide for the duties of the office of the fire
6 marshal; to provide for the promulgation of rules; and to provide for related matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. Part IV of Chapter 3 of Title 40 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950,
9 comprised of R.S. 40:581, is hereby enacted to read as follows:
10 PART IV. SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
11 §581. Housing and services for individuals experiencing homelessness
12 A.(1) The Louisiana Department of Health, in consultation with the office of
13 state fire marshal, shall promulgate rules to establish minimum housing standards for
14 emergency shelters, community facilities, group homes, and halfway houses that
15 provide housing or shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness.
16 (2) The minimum housing standards shall consider critical aspects such as
17 safety, sanitation, privacy, and habitability.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
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HLS 26RS-209 RE-REENGROSSED
HB NO. 457
1 (3) A rule promulgated in accordance with this Section shall not conflict
2 with federal law requirements for an entity described in Paragraph (1) of this
3 Subsection.
4 B. The state fire marshal may assist in the implementation of the provisions
5 of this Section by conducting annual inspections of emergency shelters, community
6 facilities, group homes, and halfway houses to verify that the housing options
7 available to individuals experiencing homelessness are safe and sanitary.
8 C. The Louisiana Department of Health shall submit waivers from the
9 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to obtain funding to provide healthcare
10 and housing services to individuals who are experiencing homelessness.
11 D. The requirements of this Section shall not apply to a privately owned
12 residence, church, or place of worship that is operated exclusively for charitable
13 purposes and does not charge residents a fee, rent, or require any other compensation
14 for occupancy and which exists solely to provide free emergency or transitional
15 housing.
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 457 Re-Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Knox
Abstract: Establishes minimum housing standards and inspection requirements for facilities
serving individuals experiencing homelessness.
Proposed law authorizes the La. Department of Health (LDH), in consultation with the state
fire marshal, to establish minimum housing standards for emergency shelters, community
facilities, group homes, and halfway houses.
Proposed law requires that minimum housing standards address safety, sanitation, privacy,
and habitability.
Proposed law provides that no administrative rule created shall conflict with requirements
on facilities imposed by federal law.
Proposed law authorizes the state fire marshal to assist in implementing proposed law by
conducting annual inspections of applicable housing facilities to ensure they are safe and
sanitary for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Proposed law requires LDH to seek federal waivers to obtain funding for healthcare and
housing services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
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HLS 26RS-209 RE-REENGROSSED
HB NO. 457
Proposed law creates an exception for private residences, churches, and other places of
worship when the services provided are charitable in nature and the organization does not
charge rent, fees, or require compensation for such services.
(Adds R.S. 40:581)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to
the original bill:
1. Make a technical correction.
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Appropriations to the
engrossed bill:
1. Authorize rather than require the state fire marshal to assist in the
implementation of proposed law.
The House Floor Amendments to the reengrossed bill:
1. Create an exception for private residences, churches, and places of worship when
the services are provided at no cost to the recipients.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.