Maddy summaryHB 316 requires Louisiana teacher education programs to include specific literacy training for educators preparing to teach students in kindergarten through third grade and for secondary teachers working with grades 4-8. It mandates that programs cover foundational literacy skills (like phonemic awareness and dyslexia support) and adolescent literacy strategies (including science-of-reading approaches for content-area learning). The bill also requires public schools to annually review student literacy plans for grades 4-8 and consolidate related improvement plans into single documents. These changes directly affect teacher training institutions, public schools, and students in grades 4-8 by establishing new standards for literacy instruction and intervention planning.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 43 establishes Louisiana's Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Program within the Department of Health to fund clinical studies using psychedelic medications (like psilocybin) for treating opioid use disorders, co-occurring substance use disorders, and treatment-resistant mental health conditions. The program requires academic health centers to meet strict federal and state compliance standards - including FDA approval, safety protocols, and therapist qualifications - to conduct these studies. Eligible patients, including those with the specified conditions, may participate, and parishes can use opioid settlement funds to enroll residents. The bill mandates annual progress reports from participating centers and requires coordination with other states conducting similar research. This is a research-focused program, not a policy allowing general therapeutic use.
Maddy summarySB 237 requires schools in Louisiana to immediately report allegations of physical or sexual abuse against school employees to the state Department of Education. It creates a database tracking these reports and mandates schools check this database before hiring new employees to identify potential patterns of abuse. The bill also requires the Department of Children and Family Services to notify the state child ombudsman within three business days of child abuse or neglect fatalities or near-fatalities, including specific details like prior department involvement. Additionally, it directs the child ombudsman to notify legislators within 24 hours of any child death linked to abuse or neglect investigations. These provisions directly affect schools, school employees, child welfare agencies, and state legislators.
Maddy summaryHB 342 requires local education agencies (LEAs) in Louisiana to prove the appropriateness of a student's special education program or placement during due process hearings, shifting the burden of proof from parents to the school district. This directly affects parents of students in special education and the LEAs (like school districts) involved in these disputes. The bill specifies that LEAs must meet this burden by showing the program or placement is appropriate "by a preponderance of the evidence" (more likely than not). The change applies to both current and proposed educational plans in formal due process hearings.
Maddy summaryHB 782 regulates vapor products and alternative nicotine products in Louisiana by establishing new definitions, increasing permit fees, and adding enforcement mechanisms. It requires retail businesses selling these products to obtain permits (increasing annual fees from $25 to $100 for retailers), mandates wholesale dealers to verify retailers have valid permits, and prohibits remote sales. Violations can result in fines up to $4,000 for repeat offenses, and unpermitted products may be seized and forfeited. The bill directly affects retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers operating in this market within Louisiana.
Maddy summaryHB 812 authorizes a 5% annual increase in salary for Louisiana parish assessors (who determine property values for tax purposes) through 2029. The bill requires assessors to publish a 30-day notice in their parish's official journal before implementing each raise, with the first increase effective in 2026. The raises apply to all assessors regardless of parish size, building on existing salary tiers based on population. This change affects approximately 64 parish assessors statewide, with four scheduled increases (one per year) over the 2026-2029 period. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, pending legislative approval if vetoed.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the text of a Senate resolution regarding the removal of judges for serious offenses like malfeasance or incompetence. The changes involve correcting a spelling error in the word "canons" and adding the preposition "of" to clarify the reference to United States laws. These adjustments do not alter the substantive policy or the process for addressing judicial misconduct but ensure the legislative document is accurate. The bill is currently in the final stages of passage after being referred to a committee and amended.
Maddy summaryHB 1194 amends the Healthy Food Retail Act to require the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center to work with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. This collaboration aims to gather data, conduct research, and share technical information to identify and map food deserts across the state. The bill directly affects these two state agencies by mandating their joint efforts to address food access issues. It does not create new funding or alter existing programs but focuses on improving data collection regarding where residents lack access to healthy food options.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases survivor benefits for families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who die while performing their official duties. It establishes a base payment of $350,000 to the surviving spouse, or to the children or estate if no spouse exists, with an additional $50,000 for each dependent child. The law requires officers and firefighters to complete beneficiary designation forms and specifies that payments come from the state's Self-Insurance Fund. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to deaths resulting from injuries sustained while protecting life and property during official activities.
Maddy summaryHB 933 creates commemorative birth certificates for display, available for a $50 fee paid to the state. The state registrar keeps $20 for administration, and $30 goes to the Office on Women’s Health and Community Health. These certificates must include security features to prevent fraud and carry the same legal weight as certified birth records. The bill directly affects individuals seeking commemorative documents and state offices managing vital records.