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SB 461

GROUP BENEFITS PROGRAM: Provides relative to the office of group benefits. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE SG EX See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jay Luneau

Expands OGB eligibility to active employees of Supreme Court–created entities, if the Court approves and the entity funds premiums from its own revenues.

Effective date 8/1/2026.
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Bill Summary · SB 461

Summary of Bill SB 461 (Louisiana, 2026 Regular Session)

Purpose

SB 461 seeks to modify eligibility rules for participation in life, health, and other benefit programs administered by the Louisiana Office of Group Benefits (OGB). The bill adds a new category of eligible employees—specifically, active employees of certain entities created by rule or order of the Louisiana Supreme Court—and sets conditions for their participation and premium payment.

Key Provisions

  • New eligibility category (added to R.S. 42:808(A)(12))
    • Active employees of entities created by rule or order of the Louisiana Supreme Court as part of its regulatory function over the practice of law.
    • Participation requires:
    • The Louisiana Supreme Court must approve the entity’s participation in OGB programs.
    • The entity must pay the employer share of premiums, and the premiums must be paid solely from monies generated by the entity (i.e., no general state or taxpayer funds).
  • Retains existing eligibility categories: SB 461 does not replace current eligibility criteria for OGB programs. It adds a new, explicit pathway while maintaining the existing list of eligible groups (civil service employees, retirees, school board employees under certain premium contributions, district personnel, parish judges, various commissions, district attorneys’ offices, National Guard members under premium and coverage conditions, West Jefferson Levee District officials, and state employees with certain tenure and termination/resignation circumstances).
  • Effective date: August 1, 2026.

Who Would Be Affected

  • New category beneficiaries: Active employees of entities created by rule or order of the Louisiana Supreme Court, provided the court approves participation and the entity funds the employee premiums from its own generated monies.
  • Current beneficiaries: The existing groups already eligible under current statute remain eligible, including:
    • Classified and unclassified civil service employees
    • Retirees
    • School board full-time employees (with school board paying at least half of premiums)
    • Active/retired soil and water conservation district personnel
    • Parish judges
    • New Orleans City Park Improvement Association employees
    • Louisiana Naval War Memorial Commission employees
    • District attorneys or active DA offices in New Orleans
    • Louisiana National Guard members (with required premium payments and coverage certifications)
    • West Jefferson Levee District appointed officials (appointed for more than eight years as of 2007)
    • State employees and certain elected officials with 10+ years of continuous state service who are terminated without cause or who resign

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Legislative action required: The bill would add a new subsection (R.S. 42:808(A)(12)) to define eligibility for those Supreme Court-created entities.
  • Implementation: If enacted, the new eligibility would take effect on August 1, 2026, assuming all other conditions (court approval and premium funding) are satisfied.
  • Funding mechanism: The employer premium for these new participants must be paid from monies generated by the entity itself, not from general state funds.

Practical Implications

  • Expands access to OGB programs to a narrow category of Supreme Court–created entities, potentially increasing participation in life, health, and related benefits for their employees.
  • Places a continual requirement on participating entities to fund premiums with their own generated revenues, aligning benefit costs with entity-generated resources.
  • Requires judicial approval in each applicable case, ensuring oversight by the Supreme Court over participation in state employee benefits programs.

Overall, SB 461 broadens the scope of OGB eligibility to include select Supreme Court–created entities, balancing expanded benefits access with explicit funding and court-approval safeguards.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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