Sen. Patrick McMath

Maddy summarySR 50 is a commemorative resolution that officially recognizes Monday, April 28, 2025, as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Day at the Louisiana State Capitol. This resolution celebrates the contributions and achievements of Louisiana's eight HBCUs.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commends the Geaux Far Louisiana Coalition for its advocacy on behalf of young children in Louisiana. It also designates Tuesday, April 15, 2025, as "Geaux Far Day" at the Louisiana State Capitol.

Maddy summaryHB 5 requires Louisiana public school systems to use savings from the Teachers' Retirement System to provide permanent salary increases for teachers and other school employees starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Certificated staff, such as teachers and administrators, must receive at least a $2,000 raise, while non-certificated staff, including aides and clerical workers, must receive at least $1,000. The bill mandates that these salary increases include associated retirement costs and applies to employees on specific leaves, such as military or maternity leave, provided they remain in their approved positions. If a school district does not have enough savings to cover the full amount of these raises, the remaining cost is to be funded through the state's minimum foundation program formula. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that charter schools participating in the state retirement system must also comply with these salary increase requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Louisiana public schools to provide expanded academic support, specifically high-dosage tutoring, to students in grades three through eight who struggle in reading or math. Local school boards must create plans using federal COVID-19 relief funds to offer this tutoring, which must occur at least three times per week in small groups or individually with trained tutors. The state Department of Education oversees these plans and maintains a list of approved tutoring providers who must use specific, research-based instructional materials. Parents of affected students have the option to prioritize their child's placement in a class taught by a highly effective teacher instead of receiving tutoring.

Maddy summarySB 300 clarifies how health insurance policies must cover pregnancy-related and postpartum care, specifically ensuring these services are treated as preventive benefits under the Affordable Care Act. The bill establishes a specific list of professional certifications for lactation support, including breastfeeding counselors and certified lactation consultants, to define who qualifies as a qualified provider. By updating the definitions of these roles, the legislation aims to standardize the qualifications required for individuals providing breastfeeding counseling and education. This change directly affects insurance plans and healthcare providers by setting clear standards for who can deliver these postpartum services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public schools in Louisiana to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom by January 1, 2025. The legislation allows schools to use donated funds or donated physical displays to cover the cost, ensuring no money from public school budgets is spent on the items. Additionally, schools must include a historical statement explaining the long tradition of using the Ten Commandments in American education. While the primary focus is on the Ten Commandments, the bill also permits the display of other historical documents like the Mayflower Compact and the Declaration of Independence.

Maddy summaryHB 577 prohibits social media companies from collecting data on minors to use for targeted advertising. The law directly affects children under the age of 18 and the digital platforms that serve them. By restricting how these companies gather and utilize personal information from young users, the bill aims to limit their ability to show ads based on the habits and preferences of minors. This measure represents a concrete change in commercial regulations without speculating on its broader economic or social impacts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Office of Motor Vehicles to handle vehicle reinstatement applications in person at all its field locations rather than allowing them to be processed remotely. The legislation directly affects drivers seeking to reinstate their licenses or vehicle registrations by mandating an on-site visit for these specific transactions. By removing the option for remote processing, the bill changes the administrative procedure for reinstatements to ensure they occur physically at a DMV office. This change applies to every field location of the agency, standardizing the process across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes a minor wording change to the title of the coroner's office in St. Tammany Parish by adding the words "office of the" before "coroner." The amendment does not alter the actual duties, powers, or responsibilities of the coroner or the department itself. It is a purely administrative update to the official name used in state statutes. The change was approved by the Senate and is now moving to the House for further consideration.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing legislation regarding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis to clarify that funding applies to tracheostomy tubes rather than just the trachea. The change directly affects patients with ALS who require this specific type of breathing assistance and the medical facilities that provide it. By updating the terminology in the law, the bill ensures that financial resources are correctly allocated for the precise medical equipment needed by these individuals.