Rep. Delisha Boyd

Maddy summaryHB 266 would increase personal needs allowances for residents in Louisiana nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. The bill requires a separate legislative appropriation to fund these increased allowances before implementation, specifying that funding must be included in a future budget act. It does not change current allowances but sets a requirement for future funding to take effect. The bill has advanced to the Health and Welfare Committee for further review.

Maddy summaryHB 547 would allow horse racing venues to offer fixed odds wagering, where bettors place bets with predetermined payout amounts before races instead of traditional pari-mutuel betting. This directly affects racetracks that host horse races and individuals who wager on those races. The bill authorizes this specific betting method, setting fixed odds for outcomes rather than calculating payouts based on total wagers after the race. The bill is currently under review by the Committee on Commerce and will move to Appropriations for further consideration.

Maddy summaryHCR 15 amends Louisiana's legislative rules to set deadlines and requirements for non-governmental entities (like nonprofits or private groups, not state agencies or local governments) seeking state funding through budget bills. It requires these entities to submit funding requests by November 1 each year to specific legislative committees, with late requests needing approval from budget committees before the legislative deadline. The bill also prohibits including such funding in budget bills after July 1, 2025, unless approved through the specified process. This is a procedural rule change affecting how funding requests are handled, not a new funding law.

Maddy summaryHB 454 would require Medicaid to cover specific doula services for eligible enrollees. This bill directly affects Medicaid recipients who use certified doula services during pregnancy and postpartum care. The key provision mandates that Medicaid plans include coverage for these services, though the bill text does not specify exact service types or eligibility criteria beyond "certain" doula care. The bill is currently pending in the Committee on Appropriations after passing the Health and Welfare Committee unanimously. This policy change would expand access to doula support for low-income individuals under the state's Medicaid program.

Maddy summaryHB 357 requires health insurance plans to cover integrative cancer treatments like acupuncture, directly affecting cancer patients seeking these services and health insurance issuers. The bill limits coverage for acupuncture treatment during active cancer care to fifteen visits per year, unless additional treatments are recommended by nationally recognized cancer guidelines and the treating physician. It also modifies prior authorization requirements by adding "prior authorization" to the list of coverage conditions. This bill is currently under review by the Committee on Appropriations after passing the Insurance Committee with amendments.

Maddy summaryHB 402 adds a new income tax deduction for veterans with service-connected disabilities, as defined under existing law (R.S. 47:297.26). This deduction directly affects qualifying veterans by reducing their taxable income, with an estimated fiscal impact of $11.3 million in state general fund revenue. The bill amends the tax code to include this deduction within Section 47:293(9)(a)(xxvii), replacing outdated references to other sections. The change provides a concrete tax benefit for veterans meeting specific disability criteria established by current law.

Maddy summaryHB 373 requires the Workforce Investment Council to annually analyze the return on investment for industry-based credentials earned by high school students. It mandates collecting and sharing student data - including social security numbers - with the Council to evaluate these credentials' effectiveness in preparing students for careers. The bill directly affects high school students pursuing industry certifications and the Workforce Investment Council, which must use the data to assess program value. Key provisions include standardized data collection, annual reporting, and specific sharing protocols for student information. The bill aims to inform policy decisions about high school career pathways without specifying fiscal impacts.

Maddy summarySB 156, titled "HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: Provides for in vitro fertilization," establishes a legal framework for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. The bill directly affects individuals seeking IVF services and healthcare providers offering these treatments by creating clear regulatory standards. While the provided text shows minor editorial amendments (correcting "invitro" to "in vitro" and punctuation), the bill's core purpose is to define legal parameters for IVF, though specific provisions like patient rights or provider requirements are not detailed in the excerpt. It passed the Senate with amendments and is now moving to the House for consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 202 requires Louisiana public colleges and universities to offer students a voluntary privacy waiver form. This form allows students to authorize their institution to share specific mental health crisis information - such as the nature of the crisis, actions taken (e.g., counseling referrals), and follow-up care recommendations - with designated contacts (like parents or guardians) during a mental health emergency where the student poses a risk to themselves or others. The waiver explicitly states that specific diagnoses or treatment details will not be shared without additional authorization, and students can revoke consent in writing at any time. The policy applies directly to all students at Louisiana’s public postsecondary institutions and their chosen contacts, while maintaining compliance with federal and state privacy laws.

Maddy summaryHB 279 requires all student organizations at Louisiana colleges and universities to provide annual anti-hazing education to members, prospective members, and volunteers. The bill mandates organizations adopt their institution's hazing prevention policy - including sanctions for hazing incidents - and deliver at least one hour of hazing prevention education each year through in-person or digital methods. Organizations must submit annual reports verifying participation, and institutions may terminate non-compliant groups, reporting terminations to education committees. This directly affects campus student organizations, not individual students or faculty. The legislation focuses on preventing hazing through mandatory education and institutional accountability.