Several property insurance reform bills expected to bring more insurers into Louisiana are headed to the governor’s desk. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
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Cut 2 (34) “I’m Colleen Crain.”
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The investigation of Ware Youth Center in Red River Parish prompted by a 2022 New York Times report alleging poor conditions including abuse and 64 suicide attempts is complete. Colleen Crain has the story…
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain”
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Several property insurance reform bills have received final legislative passage, including a measure Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says will create simple, clear timelines for the claims process
Temple is talking about Senate Bill 323 which will give insurance companies 60 days, instead of 30 days for a qualified adjuster to the start claims process. He says the additional time will stop insurers from just sending a warm body to inspect a damaged home.
House Bill 611 has also received a final legislative passage. Currently, insurers are prohibiting from canceling a homeowners insurance policy if the policyholder has been insured by the company for three years or more. Temple says House Bill 611 allows insurers to drop some policies after three years
Temple’s insurance reform legislation seeks to reduce regulations in order to create a more friendly insurance writing market, which he believes will drive up competition, stabilizing insurance premiums.
Another bill that’s heading to the governor’s desk removes an end date on the popular fortified roof program. Temple says this shows insurance companies that Louisiana is has a long-term commitment to resiliency…
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Edibles containing THC, like gummies, could soon be illegal in Louisiana. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly says his legislation does not impact the highly regulated medical marijuana industry, he’s going after the recreational hemp industry that he says misled lawmakers.
Pressly says there are more than 2,200 locations in the state selling THC products and he’s gravely concerned about the ATC’s lack of regulatory ability to inspect them.
Senate Bill 237 removes a loophole that allows hemp products to contain up to half a milligram of THC per serving or package. Pressly used the example of THC gummies.
Even with an age requirement to purchase hemp products in Louisiana, Pressly says they are easily getting into the hands of minors. He says there have been reported cases of psychosis in children.
The bill passed in the Senate on a 27 to 9 vote and was assigned to the House Criminal Justice.
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After three years and nine announced and unannounced visits to the facility, the State Inspector General’s Office has completed their investigation of conditions at Ware Youth Center in Red River Parish. State Inspector General Stephen Street says the goal was to determine current conditions and whether the facility was suitable to house juveniles going forward…
Cut 10 (08) “…suitable place.”
In 2022 the New York Times reported allegations of abuse and at least 64 suicide attempts at the facility prompting then Governor Edwards to request an investigation. Street says his office was able to review unredacted files and found the same 5 of the highest offending juveniles were often involved…
Cut 11 (11) “…actually occurred.”
Street says reporting procedures were also an issue as they lacked objective criteria for labeling incidents…
Cut 12 (13) “…other categories.”
Street says OIG staff visits every facility operated by OJJ in the State of Louisiana and Ware currently compares favorably to them.
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Cut 14 (14) “….chip on my shoulder .”
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