Maddy summaryHB 913 protects eligible adults (likely those with diminished capacity) from financial exploitation by requiring Louisiana financial institutions (banks, credit unions, etc.) to implement specific safeguards. Key provisions include: designating "trusted contact persons" (chosen by the adult), mandating twice-yearly staff training on recognizing fraud (like tech support scams), and allowing institutions to delay suspicious transactions. Institutions must notify trusted contacts if exploitation is suspected and follow clear procedures for extending transaction delays up to 25 business days. The bill focuses on concrete institutional actions rather than outcomes, defining exploitation and granting immunity to institutions acting in good faith.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 791, Louisiana's "People's A.I. Act," requires chatbot providers operating in the state to obtain clear, affirmative user consent before collecting personal data or input data during interactions. It mandates that providers: (1) avoid deceptive design practices ("dark patterns"), (2) provide transparent, accessible privacy notices in multiple languages, and (3) implement strict safeguards for handling personal data or de-identified data. The bill directly affects companies creating or distributing chatbots, imposing new obligations for data privacy, transparency, and user consent. Key provisions include banning inferred consent, requiring standalone consent requests, and defining terms like "personal data" and "de-identified data" to clarify compliance.
Maddy summaryHB 293 amends Louisiana's employment discrimination law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. It adds these categories to existing protected characteristics (like race, religion, and sex) in hiring, firing, compensation, and workplace conditions. The bill defines "gender identity" as a person's internal sense of gender regardless of assigned sex at birth, and "sexual orientation" as heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality. This law directly affects employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, and insurers across Louisiana by making it unlawful to discriminate against employees or applicants based on these newly protected traits.
Maddy summarySB 365 creates Louisiana's Voting Rights Act, prohibiting political subdivisions (like parishes, municipalities, and school districts) and state agencies from implementing election policies that suppress voting or dilute the voting power of protected classes (defined as racial, ethnic, or language minorities). The bill establishes the Louisiana Voting Rights Commission to enforce these prohibitions, requiring election policies to avoid creating disparities in voter access or participation for minority groups. Key provisions include banning policies that intentionally or unintentionally reduce minority voters' ability to participate or elect preferred candidates, with exceptions only if a policy is necessary for a compelling government interest and no less discriminatory alternative exists. The law applies to all election-related actions, from registration to ballot counting, and sets clear standards for evaluating potential violations.
Maddy summaryHB 809 allows Louisiana to transfer surplus state-owned land or buildings to affordable housing developers for low-income housing projects. It requires the Louisiana Housing Corporation to maintain a public inventory of such property and evaluate proposals from housing entities using a scoring system prioritizing deeply affordable units (rent ≤30% of income), permanent supportive housing, and nonprofit ownership. The bill mandates annual reporting to the legislature on transferred properties, proposed units, and completed developments. This directly affects affordable housing organizations and low-income residents (defined as those earning ≤80% of state median income) by creating a formal process to repurpose unused state assets for housing.
Maddy summaryHB 261 creates exceptions to Louisiana's abortion restrictions for pregnancies resulting from specific sex offenses, including rape, sexual battery, and molestation. It directly affects pregnant individuals whose pregnancies stem from acts classified under Louisiana statutes like R.S. 14:41 (rape) or R.S. 14:81.2 (molestation). The bill explicitly states that no police report, forensic evidence, or prosecution of the alleged offense is required to qualify for this exception. This policy change expands access to abortion services in defined circumstances without mandating additional legal or medical documentation.
Maddy summaryThis bill (HCR 3) is a concurrent resolution directing the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to amend rules governing outdoor advertising signs along highways. It requires increased spacing between signs (500-1,000 feet on most highways), bans stacked signs after July 31, 2025, and prohibits new permits for stacked configurations. The changes aim to reduce driver distractions and preserve scenic highway views, directly affecting billboard companies, property owners, and businesses that operate signage near roads. The resolution modifies existing DOTD rules to align with safety and beautification goals under the Highway Beautification Act. Note: The bill’s title incorrectly references SNAP benefits; the actual content addresses outdoor advertising regulations.
Maddy summaryThis resolution commends Patricia Lowrey-Dufour upon her retirement as the senior legislative analyst for the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs with House Legislative Services. It formally recognizes her nearly four decades of dedicated service to the Louisiana Legislature, acknowledging her expertise and significant contributions to the institution.
Maddy summaryHB 588 is a procedural amendment to a transportation bill concerning the Regional Transit Authority. It corrects a reference number in the bill's text by inserting and deleting the numeral "(23)" at specific points in the legislative language. The bill itself does not create new policies, funding, or services; it only adjusts a numerical reference within the existing bill framework. This amendment was approved by the committee and passed to third reading on May 13, 2025. As a purely technical correction, it has no direct policy impact or effect on transit operations or stakeholders.
Maddy summaryHB 486 requires Louisiana public schools to offer mental health assessments to certain students. It defines which mental health professionals can conduct these assessments, including licensed mental health providers (like psychologists or counselors) and behavioral health service providers licensed by the state. Schools must use providers from these categories and can find current provider lists through licensing boards or the state Department of Health website. The bill focuses on creating clear pathways for schools to access qualified mental health professionals, directly affecting public schools and the students they serve.