House Bill No. by Representative Henry aims to establish stricter eligibility requirements for public assistance programs in Louisiana by mandating verification of citizenship for applicants. The bill enacts R.S. 46:233.4, which requires state agencies or political subdivisions to confirm that applicants for federal, state, or local public benefits are either U.S. citizens or possess satisfactory immigration status as defined by federal law. If an applicant is found to be ineligible, the agency must report their information to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and terminate any public benefits they may be receiving.

Additionally, the bill requires state agencies to make reasonable efforts to verify the citizenship or immigration status of applicants claiming U.S. citizenship or satisfactory immigration status. It also mandates that these agencies submit an annual report detailing the outcomes of the verification process, including the number of individuals reported to ICE and the number of benefits terminated. The bill clarifies the types of public benefits covered under this law, which include various forms of assistance such as welfare, health, and food assistance.