Rep. Dana Henry

Maddy summaryHB 218 requires Louisiana public schools to screen all students in grades K-12 for food insecurity at enrollment and once per semester, plus during school health clinic visits. The bill mandates using a free, age-appropriate screening tool selected by the state Department of Education and Health, with results kept confidential except for parents/guardians or authorized school staff. Schools must refer identified students to resources like meal programs, food pantries, and public assistance. Charter schools are exempt from this requirement under Section 3996(B)(24), but the bill applies directly to public school students and their families.

Maddy summaryHB 205 increases pay for Louisiana election day workers, directly affecting commissioners who serve at polling places. It sets new compensation rates: $350 for a commissioner-in-charge, $345 for those managing multiple precincts, $100 for certified commissioners, $230 for others with certification, and $35 for uncertified staff. The bill also allows an additional $100 per day during emergencies declared by the governor, upon parish board request. The changes take effect January 1, 2027, and apply to all election day work and required training.

Maddy summarySB 125 increases compensation for people wrongfully convicted in Louisiana. It raises the annual payment rate from $25,000 to $40,000 per year incarcerated, with a new maximum total of $600,000 starting August 1, 2026 (up from $400,000 previously). It also allows those convicted before July 2022 to apply for supplemental payments (up to $40,000 annually) by August 1, 2027, and offers a $250,000 lump sum option for new claims filed after July 2022. The bill directly affects Louisiana residents who were wrongfully imprisoned and seek financial redress under state law.

Maddy summarySB 157 would require Louisiana public school districts to provide eligible educators with six weeks (240 hours) of paid parental leave at 100% of base pay for qualifying events like birth, adoption, foster placement, or pregnancy loss. This applies to full- or part-time school employees with at least one year of service, covering both parents who are eligible. Schools must adopt written policies, provide advance notice to employees about their rights, and prohibit counting this leave as an absence that could lead to disciplinary action. The bill does not override existing better benefits in union contracts or other laws but mandates this new standard for public school employees.

Maddy summaryHB 833 creates the Sexual Assault Survivor Empowerment Task Force in Louisiana to study and recommend improvements to services for sexual assault survivors. The task force, composed of members from the attorney general's office, sheriffs' association, state legislators, and district attorneys, will evaluate needs like counseling, school/work accommodations, and mandatory training for schools/hospitals/law enforcement. It must submit a report with specific recommendations to the governor and legislature by February 1, 2027, after which the task force will terminate. This bill does not change existing laws but sets up a process to inform future legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 656 establishes a pilot program to provide structured programming to specific inmates in Louisiana. It directly affects juvenile offenders and inmates held in parish jails or prisons under the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C). The program must include rehabilitation services (education/vocational training), mental health support, and suicide prevention initiatives. Programming will be delivered in-person or via video for accessibility, with DPS&C required to create implementing rules. This bill focuses on expanding access to support services within correctional facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 321 creates legal protections for victims of human trafficking who committed prostitution-related offenses. It establishes an affirmative defense allowing victims (both minors and adults) to avoid prosecution for crimes like prostitution (R.S. 14:82) or solicitation (R.S. 14:83) if those acts resulted directly from trafficking. The bill also presumes children engaged in prostitution are trafficking victims, exempting them from prosecution and requiring referral to specialized services for sexually exploited children. Adults determined to be trafficking victims must be notified about available support services, while children automatically qualify for existing victim assistance programs under Louisiana law.

Maddy summaryHB 584 requires Louisiana's local social services districts to provide foster children aged 14-18 with durable, reusable luggage (such as backpacks, boxes, or suitcases) instead of garbage bags when they move between foster homes. This policy change directly affects youth in foster care by ensuring their belongings are transported safely and with dignity. The bill explicitly prohibits the use of garbage bags for this purpose and defines the responsibility of social services districts to provide the required luggage. It amends Louisiana law to guarantee this specific right for older foster youth during placement transitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Louisiana State Law Institute to create a Homeowner Protection and Efficiency (HOPE) Committee to study improvements to the residential property insurance claims process. The committee would focus on making the system more efficient, transparent, and fair for homeowners dealing with Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation after major storms. Its specific tasks include reviewing how claims are handled, reducing unnecessary legal delays, and exploring ways to ensure quick payment of valid claims while balancing the rights of all parties involved. The group must include representatives from various stakeholders, such as insurers, regulators, and consumer advocates, and submit its findings and recommendations to the state legislature by February 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Task Force on Blockchain and Digital Innovation to study and report on developments in these technologies. The legislation directly affects the secretary of state, who is tasked with leading or overseeing the task force's work. Key provisions include setting the task force's operational timeline and explicitly assigning the secretary of state as the responsible official. Recent amendments adjust specific dates within the bill and clarify the secretary of state's role in the process.