SB 155 — HEALTH/ACC INSURANCE: Provides for coverage of certain dental care when connected with cancer treatment. (gov sig) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)
Last action — Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 743.
-
✓Introduced
-
✓In Committee
-
✓Passed Senate
-
✓Passed House
-
✓To Executive
-
6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 25, 2026. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Jeff Landry (Republican) on June 02, 2026.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
-
Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
-
15 sponsors
1 primary, 14 co-sponsors signed on.
-
Bipartisan support
Sponsored across 2 parties (10 R · 5 D) — cross-party backing.
-
Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 3 recorded votes so far.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
In plain language
The bill mandates insurance coverage for specific dental care related to cancer treatment.
This legislation requires health insurance plans to cover certain dental treatments if they are necessary due to cancer treatment. This is intended to support patients who may experience dental issues as a result of their cancer care.
What this means for you
- Healthcare: This means that healthcare providers will need to include necessary dental procedures in cancer treatment plans.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
35 added · 79 removedPlain-language change summary
The revised bill now specifically states that health insurers must cover certain dental procedures, like evaluations and extractions, for cancer patients undergoing treatment, emphasizing their medical necessity. While the bill maintains that routine dental care, such as cleanings, is not covered, it clarifies the conditions under which dental services are essential for cancer treatment. This change is important because it ensures that patients can receive necessary dental care to reduce infection risks while undergoing cancer treatment, which can improve their overall health during a critical time.
SLS 26RS-340 REENGROSSED Regular Session ENROLLED SENATE BILL NO.
155 BY SENATOR TALBOT HEALTH/ACCINSURANCE.ProvidesforcoverageofcertaindentalcarewhenconnectedAND withREPRESENTATIVES cancerBERAULT, treatment.CARRIER, CHASSION, DEWITT, FISHER, FREEMAN, FREIBERG, HORTON, ILLG, KERNER, LAFLEUR, LYONS, MACK AND ZERINGUE AN ACT To enact R.S.
(gov sig) AN ACT To enact R.S.
Coverage for dental services for cancer patients A.ExceptasprovidedinSubsectionBofthisSection,aninsurerofferingA.(1) Except as provided in Subsections B and C of this Section, an insurer offering a health coverage plan in this state shall provide the following coverage for evaluation, imaging, clinical examination, and dental extractions that are medically necessary dentalto proceduresreduce the risk of infection, eliminate infection, or treat tooth loss or decay as part of a pre-cancer treatment screening for an insured who has been diagnosed with cancer:cancer.
(1)Evaluation,imaging,clinicalexamination,anddentalextractionsthat(2)Thedentalservicesshallbecoveredwhenperformedaspartofapre- aretreatmentmedicalclearanceprotocolforinsuredsscheduledtoundergocancer medicallytreatment. necessary to reduce the risk of infection, eliminate infection, or treat tooth loss or decay as part of a pre-cancer treatment screening.
(2)Thedentalservicesshallbecoveredwhenperformedaspartofapre- Page 1 of 3 Coding:
Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
SLS 26RS-340 REENGROSSED SB NO.
155 treatmentmedicalclearanceprotocolforinsuredsscheduledtoundergocancer treatment.
The provisions of this Section doshall not includeapply to a plan providing coverageforexceptedbenefitsasdefinedinR.S.22:1061,limitedbenefithealth insurance plans, and short-term policies that have a term of less than twelve months.
Any policy, contract, orPage plan1 in effect prior to January 1, 2027, shall convert to conform to the provisions of this2 ActCoding: on or before the renewal date thereof, but in no event later than January 1, 2028.
Section 3.
This Act shall become effective upon signature bythe governor or, if not signedbythegovernor,uponexpirationofthetimeforbillstobecomelawwithoutsignature by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana.
If vetoed bythe governorand subsequentlyapprovedbythe legislature, this Act shall become effective on the dayfollowing such approval.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the legislative instrument, were prepared bySenate Legislative Services.
The keyword, summary, 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)] DIGEST SB 155 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Talbot Presentlawrequireshealthcareinsuranceprovidecoveragefortreatmentsrelatedto cancer.
Proposed law retains present law.
Proposedlawrequireshealthcareinsuranceprovidecoverageformedicallynecessarydental procedures as part of a pre-treatment medical clearance protocol for an insured diagnosed with cancer.
Proposed law requires coverage for evaluation, imaging, clinical examination, and dental extractionsthataremedicallynecessarytoreduceoreliminateinfectionortotreattoothloss or decay as part of a pre-cancer treatment screening.
Proposed law requires the services to be coveredwhen performedas part of a pre-treatment medical clearance protocol for insureds scheduled to undergo cancer treatment.
Proposed law clarifies that a healthcare insurer is not required to provide coverage for Page 2 of 3 Coding:
SLS 26RS-340 REENGROSSED SB NO.
155 routineENROLLED dentalor care.plan in effect prior to January1, 2027, shall convert to conform to the provisions of this Act on or before the renewal date thereof, but in no event later than January 1, 2028.
ProposedSection law3. excludes certain plans providing coverage for excepted benefits, limited benefit health insurance plans, and short-term policies with a term of less than twelve months from the provisions of proposed law.
ApplicableThis toAct anynewshall policy,become contract,effective program,upon orsignature healthbythe coveragegovernor planor, issuedif onnot orsignedbythegovernor,uponexpirationofthetimeforbillstobecomelawwithoutsignature afterby Jan.the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana.
1,If 2027.vetoed bythe governorand subsequentlyapproved bythe legislature, this Act shall become effective on the dayfollowing such approval.
EffectivePRESIDENT uponOF signatureTHE ofSENATE theSPEAKER governorOF orTHE lapseHOUSE ofOF timeREPRESENTATIVES forGOVERNOR gubernatorialOF action.THE STATE OF LOUISIANA APPROVED:
(AddsPage R.S.2 of 2 Coding:
22:1077.6) Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate CommitteeAmendmentsProposedbySenateCommitteeonInsurancetotheoriginal bill 1.
Limit coverage to dental services performed as part of a pre-treatment medical clearance protocol.
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Finance to the engrossed bill 1.
Removeprovisionrequiringcoverageforcertaindentalprocedurestoreduce the risk of infection or teeth loss as a result of cancer treatment.
2.
Remove provision requiring coverage for an obturator for treatment of an insured with a defective oral cavityas a result of cancer treatment.
3.
Remove provision requiring coverage for laboratory assessments, medications, and treatments.
4.
Show all 44 changed lines (4 more)
Require coverage for dental extractions that are medically necessary to reduce or eliminate infection or to treat tooth loss or decay as part of a pre- cancer treatment screening.
5.
Make technical changes.
Page 3 of 3 Coding:
Show all 44 changed rows (4 more)
View plain text versions (5)
- Enrolled SB155 Enrolled Current pdf
- Engrossed SB155 Reengrossed pdf
- Engrossed SB155 Engrossed pdf
- SB155 Act View text pdf
- SB155 Original View text pdf
Amendments
7 amendments- House Committee Amendment, #5851, INS, Adopted Adopted Show changes
- House Committee Amendment, #5726, INS, Draft Show changes
- Senate Committee Amendment, #2740, FNCE, Draft Show changes
- Senate Committee Amendment, #2724, FNCE, Adopted Adopted Show changes
- Senate Committee Amendment, #1648, FNCE, Draft Show changes
- Senate Committee Amendment, #1310, INS, Adopted Adopted Show changes
- Senate Committee Amendment, #858, INS, Draft Show changes
Click Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.
Action History
-
Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 743.
-
Effective date 6/2/2026.
-
Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.
-
Signed by the Speaker of the House.
-
Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate.
-
Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays.
-
Scheduled for floor debate on 05/29/2026.
-
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 93, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
-
Received from the House with amendments.
-
Read by title, passed to 3rd reading.
-
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
-
Reported favorably (14-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
-
Read by title, amended, recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations.
-
Reported with amendments (14-0). To be recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations.
-
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Insurance.
-
Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
-
Received in the House from the Senate, read by title, lies over under the rules.
-
Read by title; Committee amendments read and adopted. Ordered reengrossed and passed to third reading and final passage.
-
Reported with amendments.
-
Read by title. Committee amendments read and adopted; ordered engrossed and recommitted to the Committee on Finance.
-
Reported with amendments.
-
Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Insurance.
-
Prefiled and under the rules provisionally referred to the Committee on Insurance.
Sponsors
- Jerome Zeringue · Cosponsor
- Shane Mack · Cosponsor
- Rodney Lyons · Cosponsor
- Vanessa Caston LaFleur · Cosponsor
- Timothy P. Kerner · Cosponsor
- John R. Illg Jr. · Cosponsor
- Dodie Horton · Cosponsor
- Barbara Reich Freiberg · Cosponsor
- Aimee Adatto Freeman · Cosponsor
- Adrian Fisher · Cosponsor
- Jason Brian DeWitt · Cosponsor
- Tehmi Jahi Chassion · Cosponsor
- R. Dewith Carrier · Cosponsor
- Stephanie H. Berault · Cosponsor
- Kirk Talbot · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 14 co-sponsors · 132 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
- Kirk Talbot Republican
Co-sponsors (14)
- Jerome Zeringue Republican
- Shane Mack Republican
- Rodney Lyons Democrat
- Vanessa Caston LaFleur Democrat
- Timothy P. Kerner Republican
- Jr., John R. Illg Republican
- Dodie Horton Republican
- Barbara Reich Freiberg Republican
- Aimee Adatto Freeman Democrat
- Adrian Fisher Democrat
- Jason Brian DeWitt Republican
- Tehmi Jahi Chassion Democrat
- R. Dewith Carrier Republican
- Stephanie H. Berault Republican
Not signed on (132)
132 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 132 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 25 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Democrat | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 36 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| % of votes cast | 92% | 0% | 0% | 8% |
How each member voted (39)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. President | — | Yea |
| Edward J. Price | Democrat | Yea |
| Gary Carter | Democrat | Yea |
| Gerald Boudreaux | Democrat | Yea |
| Jay Luneau | Democrat | Yea |
| Jimmy Harris | Democrat | Yea |
| Katrina R. Jackson-Andrews | Democrat | Yea |
| Larry Selders | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Regina Barrow | Democrat | Yea |
| Royce Duplessis | Democrat | Yea |
| Sam Jenkins | Democrat | Yea |
| Sidney Barthelemy II | Democrat | Yea |
| Adam Bass | Republican | Not Voting |
| Alan Seabaugh | Republican | Yea |
| Beth Mizell | Republican | Yea |
| Blake Miguez | Republican | Yea |
| Bob Hensgens | Republican | Yea |
| Brach Jerad Myers | Republican | Yea |
| Caleb Kleinpeter | Republican | Yea |
| Eddie J. Lambert | Republican | Yea |
| Franklin J. Foil | Republican | Yea |
| Glen Womack | Republican | Yea |
| Gregory A. Miller | Republican | Yea |
| Heather Cloud | Republican | Not Voting |
| Jeremy Stine | Republican | Yea |
| John C. "Jay" Morris | Republican | Yea |
| Jr., William "Bill" Wheat | Republican | Yea |
| Kirk Talbot | Republican | Yea |
| Mark Abraham | Republican | Yea |
| Michael "Big Mike" Fesi | Republican | Yea |
| Mike Reese | Republican | Yea |
| Patrick Connick | Republican | Yea |
| Patrick McMath | Republican | Yea |
| Rick Edmonds | Republican | Yea |
| Robert "Bob" Owen | Republican | Yea |
| Robert Allain | Republican | Yea |
| Stewart Jr. Cathey | Republican | Yea |
| Thomas A. Pressly | Republican | Yea |
| Valarie Hodges | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | 23 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Republican | 64 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unaffiliated | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 93 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| % of votes cast | 89% | 0% | 0% | 11% |
How each member voted (105)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Amedee | — | Yea |
| Galle | — | Yea |
| Stagni | — | Yea |
| Mr. Speaker | — | Not Voting |
| Johnson, T. | — | Yea |
| Landry, T. | — | Yea |
| St. Blanc | — | Yea |
| Adrian Fisher | Democrat | Yea |
| Aimee Adatto Freeman | Democrat | Yea |
| Alonzo L. Knox | Democrat | Yea |
| Barbara Carpenter | Democrat | Not Voting |
| C. Denise Marcelle | Democrat | Yea |
| Candace N. Newell | Democrat | Yea |
| Chasity Martinez | Democrat | Yea |
| Dana Henry | Democrat | Yea |
| Delisha Boyd | Democrat | Yea |
| Ed Murray | Democrat | Yea |
| Edmond Jordan | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Gerald Boudreaux | Democrat | Yea |
| III, Ed Larvadain | Democrat | Yea |
| Joy Walters | Democrat | Yea |
| Jr., Kyle M. Green | Democrat | Yea |
| Ken Brass | Democrat | Yea |
| Mandie Landry | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Marcus Anthony Bryant | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Pat Moore | Democrat | Yea |
| Rashid Armand Young | Democrat | Yea |
| Robby Carter | Democrat | Yea |
| Rodney Lyons | Democrat | Yea |
| Roy Daryl Adams | Democrat | Yea |
| Shaun Raphael Mena | Democrat | Yea |
| Sr., Wilford Carter | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Steven Jackson | Democrat | Yea |
| Sylvia Elaine Taylor | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Tammy T. Phelps | Democrat | Yea |
| Tehmi Jahi Chassion | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Vanessa Caston LaFleur | Democrat | Yea |
| Annie Spell | Republican | Yea |
| Barbara Reich Freiberg | Republican | Yea |
| Beth Anne Billings | Republican | Yea |
| Brett F. Geymann | Republican | Yea |
| Brian Leonard Glorioso | Republican | Yea |
| Bryan Fontenot | Republican | Yea |
| Chad Michael Boyer | Republican | Yea |
| Chance Keith Henry | Republican | Yea |
| Christopher Turner | Republican | Yea |
| Danny McCormick | Republican | Yea |
| Daryl Andrew Deshotel | Republican | Yea |
| Debbie Villio | Republican | Yea |
| Dixon Wallace McMakin | Republican | Yea |
| Dodie Horton | Republican | Yea |
| Emily Chenevert | Republican | Yea |
| Foy Bryan Gadberry | Republican | Yea |
| Francis C. Thompson | Republican | Yea |
| Gregory A. Miller | Republican | Yea |
| III, Roger William Wilder | Republican | Yea |
| III, Vincent E. Cox | Republican | Yea |
| IV, Gerald "Beau" Beaullieu | Republican | Yea |
| Jack McFarland | Republican | Yea |
| Jacob Braud | Republican | Yea |
| Jacob Jules Landry | Republican | Yea |
| Jason Brian DeWitt | Republican | Yea |
| Jeffrey "Jeff" Fons Wiley | Republican | Not Voting |
| Jeremy LaCombe | Republican | Yea |
| Jerome Zeringue | Republican | Yea |
| Jessica Domangue | Republican | Yea |
| John E. Wyble | Republican | Yea |
| Joseph A. Orgeron | Republican | Yea |
| Josh Carlson | Republican | Yea |
| Jr., Dennis Bamburg | Republican | Yea |
| Jr., John R. Illg | Republican | Yea |
| Jr., Michael Robert Bayham | Republican | Not Voting |
| Kathy Edmonston | Republican | Yea |
| Kellee Hennessy Dickerson | Republican | Yea |
| Kim Carver | Republican | Yea |
| Kimberly Landry Coates | Republican | Yea |
| Larry A. Bagley | Republican | Not Voting |
| Lauren Ventrella | Republican | Yea |
| Laurie Schlegel | Republican | Yea |
| Les Farnum | Republican | Yea |
| Mark Wright | Republican | Yea |
| Michael "Gabe" Firment | Republican | Yea |
| Michael Charles Echols | Republican | Yea |
| Michael Melerine | Republican | Yea |
| Mike Johnson | Republican | Yea |
| Neil Riser | Republican | Yea |
| Nicholas Muscarello | Republican | Yea |
| Paul Sawyer | Republican | Yea |
| Phillip Eric Tarver | Republican | Yea |
| Polly Thomas | Republican | Yea |
| R. Dewith Carrier | Republican | Yea |
| Raymond J. Crews | Republican | Yea |
| Reese "Skip" Broussard | Republican | Yea |
| Rhonda Gaye Butler | Republican | Yea |
| Robert "Bob" Owen | Republican | Yea |
| Rodney Schamerhorn | Republican | Yea |
| Ryan Bourriaque | Republican | Yea |
| Shane Mack | Republican | Yea |
| Sr., Peter F. Egan | Republican | Yea |
| Stephanie H. Berault | Republican | Yea |
| Stephanie Hilferty | Republican | Not Voting |
| Timothy P. Kerner | Republican | Yea |
| Tony Bacala | Republican | Yea |
| Troy Jude Hebert | Republican | Yea |
| Wayne McMahen | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 24 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Democrat | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 34 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| % of votes cast | 87% | 0% | 0% | 13% |
How each member voted (39)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. President | — | Yea |
| Edward J. Price | Democrat | Yea |
| Gary Carter | Democrat | Yea |
| Gerald Boudreaux | Democrat | Yea |
| Jay Luneau | Democrat | Yea |
| Jimmy Harris | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Katrina R. Jackson-Andrews | Democrat | Yea |
| Larry Selders | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Regina Barrow | Democrat | Yea |
| Royce Duplessis | Democrat | Yea |
| Sam Jenkins | Democrat | Yea |
| Sidney Barthelemy II | Democrat | Yea |
| Adam Bass | Republican | Yea |
| Alan Seabaugh | Republican | Yea |
| Beth Mizell | Republican | Yea |
| Blake Miguez | Republican | Yea |
| Bob Hensgens | Republican | Yea |
| Brach Jerad Myers | Republican | Not Voting |
| Caleb Kleinpeter | Republican | Yea |
| Eddie J. Lambert | Republican | Yea |
| Franklin J. Foil | Republican | Yea |
| Glen Womack | Republican | Not Voting |
| Gregory A. Miller | Republican | Yea |
| Heather Cloud | Republican | Yea |
| Jeremy Stine | Republican | Yea |
| John C. "Jay" Morris | Republican | Yea |
| Jr., William "Bill" Wheat | Republican | Yea |
| Kirk Talbot | Republican | Yea |
| Mark Abraham | Republican | Yea |
| Michael "Big Mike" Fesi | Republican | Yea |
| Mike Reese | Republican | Yea |
| Patrick Connick | Republican | Yea |
| Patrick McMath | Republican | Yea |
| Rick Edmonds | Republican | Yea |
| Robert "Bob" Owen | Republican | Yea |
| Robert Allain | Republican | Not Voting |
| Stewart Jr. Cathey | Republican | Yea |
| Thomas A. Pressly | Republican | Yea |
| Valarie Hodges | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors SB 155?
- SB 155 is sponsored by Jerome Zeringue (Republican), Shane Mack (Republican), Rodney Lyons (Democrat), Vanessa Caston LaFleur (Democrat), Timothy P. Kerner (Republican), Jr., John R. Illg (Republican), Dodie Horton (Republican), Barbara Reich Freiberg (Republican), Aimee Adatto Freeman (Democrat), Adrian Fisher (Democrat), Jason Brian DeWitt (Republican), Tehmi Jahi Chassion (Democrat), R. Dewith Carrier (Republican), Stephanie H. Berault (Republican), and Kirk Talbot (Republican).
- What is the current status of SB 155?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 25, 2026. Enacted.
- Where can I track SB 155?
- Track SB 155 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
Make your voice heard on SB 155
Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.
Stay ahead of SB 155
Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously
One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.
Track this bill →