It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of LLSSA member, our colleague and friend, Yvette Bernard on May 10, 2025

CARENCRO ~ Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 17, 2025 at an 11:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Word in Evangeline Memorial Gardens Chapel in Carencro for Yvette Marie Bernard, age 57, who passed away Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center.

The Rev. Msgr. Ronald Broussard, pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, will officiate at the services.

A native and lifelong resident of Carencro, Yvette, was employed with Cadence Bank, where her exceptional work ethic and generous spirit touched the lives of her coworkers and customers alike. She was the kind of person who could never leave anyone in a bind—always willing to go the extra mile and do so with a smile. Her commitment to her work and her team was just one example of the selfless way she lived her life.

A devoted parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, Yvette lived her faith daily, not only through worship but through the love she showed to everyone she encountered. She had a rare ability to connect with people—she couldn’t go anywhere without being stopped for a conversation, always greeted with warmth and joy.

Yvette had a gift for doing many things well. She found joy in the simple, fulfilling pleasures of life: working outside, cutting grass, even operating heavy equipment—tasks she embraced with enthusiasm. She was also a talented baker, cook, and hair stylist, pouring creativity and care into everything she did. Her talents were many, and her passion for life shone through them all.

Survivors include her husband, Jason Bernard; two sons, Fabian Andre Bernard of Lafayette, and Jacolby Sailele of California; one daughter, Javon Sailele of California; three grandchildren, Zeus Sailele, Zara Sailele, Ryze Sailele; her mother, Evadell George; three brothers, Paul George and his wife, Norma, of Katy, TX, Vincent George of Montana, and Shane George of Carencro; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Paul George.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 8:30 a.m. Saturday until service time on Saturday.

Melancon Funeral Home, Evangeline Memorial Gardens Chapel, 4117 N. University Ave., Carencro, (337) 896-3232, is in charge of arrangements.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bernard family during this time. Joe will be deeply missed by all who had the honor of knowing her.

Louisiana Senate Bill 122 (SB 122), introduced during the 2025 Regular Session, proposes significant updates to the state’s contractor licensing laws, particularly affecting professionals in the life safety and property protection industries. These changes aim to enhance regulatory oversight and ensure that contractors meet specific standards related to financial stability, professional conduct, and compliance with licensing requirements.

One of the key provisions of SB 122 is the introduction of new classifications for licensure, including “mold remediation” and “home improvement.” This expansion recognizes the specialized nature of these services and ensures that contractors in these areas are subject to appropriate licensing standards.

The bill also mandates that license holders must conduct all business transactions under the name as it appears on their current license or registration. This requirement aims to prevent deceptive practices and ensure transparency in contractor operations.

Financial requirements are also addressed in SB 122. Contractors seeking residential and commercial licenses, as well as their subclassifications and specialty classifications (excluding labor-only specialties), must demonstrate a net worth of at least $50,000. For home improvement, mold remediation, and labor-only specialties, the required net worth is $25,000. Contractors who do not meet these net worth requirements may satisfy them by submitting an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of the required net worth.

Additionally, the bill extends the ineligibility period for individuals engaged in deceptive practices during board examinations. Under the proposed law, such individuals would be ineligible to serve as a qualifying person for licensure for a period of three years, up from the current one-year period.

For professionals in the life safety and property protection sectors, these proposed changes underscore the importance of maintaining compliance with evolving licensing standards. Contractors should review their current licensing status, ensure that their business practices align with the proposed requirements, and prepare for potential adjustments to financial documentation and operational procedures.

Staying informed about the progress of SB 122 and engaging with industry associations can provide valuable insights and support in navigating these regulatory changes. Proactive adaptation to the proposed law will be essential in maintaining effective operations and ensuring the continued protection of life and property in Louisiana.

Louisiana House Bill 618 (HB 618), introduced in the 2025 Regular Session, proposes significant updates to the state’s regulations concerning the inspection of conveyance devices, such as elevators and escalators. These changes are particularly relevant for professionals in the life safety and property protection industry, as they may influence inspection protocols, compliance requirements, and operational procedures.

Under current law, building owners are required to conduct annual inspections and certifications of life safety systems and equipment to ensure compliance with safety standards. HB 618 retains this requirement but specifies that inspections of conveyance devices must be physically witnessed by an inspector appointed by the state fire marshal. This measure aims to enhance the reliability and accountability of safety inspections.

The bill also clarifies exemptions to these requirements. Specifically, it states that the inspection mandates do not apply to registered recreational camps or to buildings with two stories occupied by a single tenant where employees are regularly present. For such buildings, a safety test of the conveyance device is required at five-year intervals instead of annual inspections.

Additionally, HB 618 introduces a standardized inspection fee of $150 for both initial and renewal inspections of conveyance devices. This fee structure is intended to streamline the administrative process and ensure consistency across inspections.

For professionals in the life safety and property protection industry, these proposed changes underscore the importance of maintaining compliance with evolving safety standards. Companies should review their current inspection procedures, ensure that their practices align with the proposed requirements, and prepare for potential adjustments to scheduling and budgeting for inspections.

Staying informed about the progress of HB 618 and engaging with industry associations can provide valuable insights and support in navigating these regulatory changes. Proactive adaptation to the proposed law will be essential in maintaining effective operations and ensuring the continued protection of life and property in Louisiana.

Louisiana House Bill 152, introduced during the 2025 Regular Session, proposes changes that could directly impact licensing procedures for businesses and individuals working in life safety and property protection. This bill revises and clarifies several definitions, including “applicant,” “qualifying agent,” and adds a new definition for “licensure.” These adjustments are aimed at refining the roles and responsibilities of those seeking or holding licenses in the private security industry.

The bill also updates how criminal history background checks are handled. It removes older language about fingerprint cards and replaces it with the more current reference to digital fingerprints. Additionally, it eliminates specific provisions regarding how criminal history information can be used or disclosed, which could affect how licensing boards assess applicants and share information. These changes suggest a shift toward modernizing background check procedures and possibly tightening or streamlining how information is evaluated during the licensing process.

For life safety and property protection professionals, this means the licensing process may become more standardized, with clearer expectations and revised compliance requirements. Companies may need to review and adjust their internal procedures to reflect the updated definitions and criminal background check protocols. It’s important to stay informed about this bill’s progress and consult with legal or industry advisors to ensure ongoing compliance and proper documentation for license applications or renewals.

False alarms have long plagued the security industry, with studies indicating that 90–99% of alarm calls received by police are false. This high incidence not only erodes public trust in alarm systems but also imposes significant costs on municipalities and strains law enforcement resources.

False alarms divert police attention from genuine emergencies, leading some cities to implement verified response policies, where officers only respond to alarms confirmed as real threats. These policies often require additional verification measures, such as video monitoring, to confirm the presence of an intruder before dispatching law enforcement.

Traditional video monitoring involves operators reviewing footage to verify threats, a process that is both time-consuming and costly. Motion detection systems, which trigger recordings based on movement, can be set off by benign factors like wind-blown leaves or passing animals, leading to unnecessary alerts and operator fatigue.

Recent developments in video analytics have enhanced the ability of security systems to distinguish between actual threats and non-threatening movements. Modern systems can identify specific objects such as people, vehicles, and animals, and assess behaviors like loitering or direction of travel. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning further refines this process, enabling features like facial recognition and reducing the incidence of false alarms.

The integration of advanced video analytics into security systems marks a significant step towards reducing false alarms. By enabling more accurate threat detection and verification, these technologies help restore public confidence in alarm systems, reduce unnecessary strain on law enforcement, and ensure that resources are allocated to genuine emergencies.

As the security industry continues to embrace these innovations, the era of frequent false alarms may soon become a thing of the past.

Louisiana House Bill 80 (HB 80), introduced in the 2025 Regular Session, proposes to expand the definition of “first responder” within the state’s emergency management framework to include electrical linemen. This legislative change acknowledges the critical role that electrical linemen play during weather-related emergencies, such as hurricanes and severe storms, by granting them certain recognitions and responsibilities typically reserved for traditional first responders.

Under the proposed law, electrical linemen are defined as individuals employed to install, maintain, or repair electrical transmission and power distribution systems. Importantly, their designation as first responders would apply exclusively during weather emergencies declared by the governor under the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act. This status is intended to facilitate their access to affected areas for the purpose of restoring essential services and infrastructure, rather than to confer additional monetary or health benefits.

For professionals in the life safety and property protection industry, this development could have several implications. The inclusion of electrical linemen as first responders may necessitate closer coordination between security personnel and utility workers during emergency responses. Security companies might need to adjust their protocols to accommodate the expedited access and operational needs of linemen in disaster zones. Additionally, this change could influence training programs, requiring security staff to be educated on the roles and responsibilities of newly designated first responders to ensure cohesive and efficient collaboration during emergencies.

Businesses should monitor the progress of HB 80 and consider engaging with industry associations to understand the full scope of its impact. Proactive adaptation to this legislative change will be essential in maintaining effective emergency response strategies and ensuring the continued protection of life and property in Louisiana.

Louisiana House Bill 157 (HB 157), introduced in the 2025 Regular Legislative Session, proposes an increase in the licensing and registration fees collected by the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners. This bill directly impacts private security companies, instructors, and individual guards working in the life safety and property protection industry.

If passed, HB 157 would raise several key fees. The initial company license would increase from $400 to $500, and the renewal fee would rise slightly from $400 to $410. For individual guards, the initial registration fee would jump from $30 to $75, and the renewal fee would increase to $65. Instructors would also see higher costs, with classroom and baton instructor licenses moving up to $110 and $130 respectively, and firearms instructor licenses increasing from $150 to $160. Other fees, such as examination and status change fees, are also slated to rise. In a notable administrative update, the bill would permit payments via electronic methods in addition to checks, making transactions more flexible.

HB 157 also includes a transparency requirement, mandating the Board to publicly display and regularly update its fee schedule on its website, along with the legal authority for each fee. This change aims to ensure licensees are fully informed of their obligations and any future updates.

For businesses operating in the security sector, these changes mean higher operating costs and a potential need to reassess pricing or budgets. Companies that employ large numbers of licensed guards or offer in-house training programs could face a significant financial impact. The increase in instructor licensing and examination fees may also affect training availability and affordability for new professionals entering the field.

It’s important for industry professionals and company owners to stay aware of HB 157’s progress and evaluate how these changes might affect their operations. Participating in professional associations and advocacy efforts may also help influence how the bill is implemented or amended. The full bill can be reviewed on the Louisiana Legislature website at HB 157

Louisiana House Bill 111 (HB 111), introduced by Representative Debbie Villio during the 2025 Regular Session, proposes changes to laws concerning the unlawful presence of certain sex offenders. As of May 6, 2025, the bill passed the House unanimously and is now pending introduction in the Senate.

Implications for Life Safety and Property Protection Professionals

While HB 111 does not directly amend the Life Safety and Property Protection Licensing Act, it has potential implications for professionals in this field. The bill’s focus on restricting the presence of certain sex offenders could lead to increased demand for security measures in areas such as schools, parks, and other public spaces. This may result in a higher need for surveillance systems, access control, and other protective services.

Additionally, businesses involved in property protection may need to stay informed about the specific provisions of HB 111 to ensure compliance with any new regulations that affect their operations. Engaging with professional associations and monitoring legislative developments will be crucial for adapting to these potential changes.

For a detailed view of HB 111, you can access the full text here: HB 111 

Understanding and engaging with these proposed changes is crucial for professionals dedicated to life safety and property protection in Louisiana.

Louisiana House Bill 603 (HB 603), introduced during the 2025 Regular Legislative Session, proposes a key change to how members are appointed to various occupational licensing boards. For professionals in the life safety and property protection industries, this bill could have direct implications on how their trades are regulated in the future.

Currently, many occupational boards rely on nominations from industry associations to ensure board members have relevant experience and knowledge. HB 603 would still allow professional associations to submit nominations, but it removes the requirement that the governor must appoint from those lists. Instead, the bill gives the governor full discretion to consider any qualified individuals, whether or not they are recommended by associations. This change would apply to several boards, including the Life Safety and Property Protection Advisory Board, the State Board of Home Inspectors, and the Board of Private Security Examiners.

This shift could affect the composition and focus of these boards, possibly introducing members who are less familiar with the specific needs and standards of the life safety and security industry. Changes in board membership may also influence decisions about licensing qualifications, enforcement policies, and continuing education requirements, potentially altering how businesses operate and remain compliant.

Professionals should remain engaged with their associations, as unified industry voices will still be important in influencing appointments and maintaining high standards for public safety. It’s also essential to stay updated on HB 603’s progress and be prepared to respond to any changes in board decisions or regulatory policies that may follow. The full bill is available at the Louisiana Legislature website for those who wish to review it in detail: HB 603

This bill underscores the importance of active involvement in legislative matters that shape the regulatory landscape of the life safety and property protection industry in Louisiana.