This bill amends several sections of Louisiana's Revised Statutes related to the Local Healthcare Provider Participation Program, specifically focusing on the establishment of multi-parish funding districts. It allows parishes with fewer than two hospitals to collaborate with contiguous parishes to create a new governmental entity known as a multi-parish funding district. The governing body of this district will consist of representatives appointed by each participating parish, and it will have the authority to delegate operational and administrative responsibilities among the parishes. Additionally, the bill clarifies that a multi-parish funding district will be treated as a parish for compliance purposes.

The bill also modifies provisions regarding local hospital assessment payments. It removes the previous cap on administrative expenses related to these payments, establishing a fixed amount of $150,000 that can be used for administrative costs, including collection services. Furthermore, it specifies that local hospital assessments must comply with federal regulations and outlines the collection process, allowing parishes to engage collection entities while permitting sheriffs to charge reasonable fees for their services if they are involved in the collection. The bill will take effect upon the governor's signature or after the designated period for bills to become law without a signature.

Statutes affected:
HB456 Original: 40:5(D)(3), 40:8(D)
HB456 Engrossed: 40:5(D)(3), 40:8(B)
HB456 Reengrossed: 40:5(D)(3), 40:8(B)
HB456 Enrolled: 40:5(D)(3), 40:8(B)
HB456 Act : 40:5(D)(3), 40:8(B)