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Committee moves biomarker‑testing coverage clarification; sponsor will await fiscal note before floor action
Summary
Senate Bill 169 would clarify clinical-utility standards for biomarker testing and prohibit conditioning coverage on lab credentialing unrelated to test performance; the committee reported the bill favorably but the sponsor said he will hold it on the floor pending a completed fiscal note.
Chair introduced Senate Bill 1 69 as a clarification to existing biomarker‑testing coverage law, saying the bill refines how clinical utility is established and prevents insurers from conditioning coverage on laboratory classifications or credentialing unrelated to test performance.
"What this bill does is it just kinda tweaks that we are, we're clarifying how clinical utility is established," the chair said, describing the bill as resolving inconsistencies between laws on genetic testing and biomarker testing for existing conditions.
The chair also noted that the fiscal office issued a fiscal note that morning and requested more information. Senator Barrow questioned the timing of the fiscal note; the sponsor said he would move the bill out of committee and then hold it on the Senate floor until the full fiscal note is available and any necessary revisions are addressed.
Senator Wheat moved to report Senate Bill 169 favorably. With no objections recorded, the committee moved the bill favorably. Senator Barrow used a point of personal privilege to welcome members of the East Baton Rouge Parish Council on Aging who were attending the meeting. The committee adjourned thereafter.
