Rep. Mike Bayham

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 341 creates the Louisiana Churches and Nonprofit Religious Organizations Self-Insured Fund, allowing eligible churches and nonprofits to form a shared insurance pool instead of purchasing private property insurance. It directly affects Louisiana religious organizations by enabling them to cover building damage, contents, liability, wind/hail, and loss of use through this collective fund. Key provisions require members to maintain positive net worth and financial solvency, define "property commercial coverage" to include specific protections, and direct the Louisiana State Law Institute to update related terminology. The bill establishes regulatory rules for the fund's operation under state oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 726 increases penalties for abandoning boats or vessels in Louisiana by doubling the fines for this specific violation. The bill directly affects boat owners who intentionally leave vessels on public property, private land without permission, or in state waters. It amends existing law to explicitly double the criminal penalties for abandoning boats or boating accessories, as outlined in Section 2531.1(A)(2). This change applies to all vessels covered under the littering statute, including boats and related equipment. The law focuses on strengthening enforcement against vessel abandonment as a form of illegal disposal.

Maddy summaryHB 256 clarifies that school employees, including those in charter schools, must follow existing mandatory reporter laws. It directly affects teachers, staff, and other school employees who are already required to report suspected child abuse under Louisiana law. The bill amends two statutes to ensure school employees comply with training and reporting requirements previously mandated for child care providers, removing any ambiguity about charter schools being exempt. This creates a consistent policy requiring all school employees to complete Department of Children and Family Services training and report suspected abuse.

Maddy summaryHB 308 requires state-owned stadium facilities in Louisiana (like the Superdome, Smoothie King Center, and Tiger Stadium) to accept cash for in-person purchases of goods or services when other payment methods are accepted. It mandates that operators must allow cash transactions without fees or extra conditions, and permits using cash-to-card kiosks on-site. Exceptions include online transactions, suspected counterfeit cash, large bills ($20+), single transactions over $5,000, and parking. The law applies to all qualifying in-person transactions starting July 1, 2027.

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 summaryHB 59 requires East Baton Rouge Parish and its cities to fund specific expenses for the 19th Judicial District Court's public defender office, which serves people who cannot afford legal representation. The bill mandates that local governments cover salaries for staff (including public defenders, clerks, and investigators) and operational costs like supplies, travel, and equipment. Funding responsibility is shared proportionally between the parish and individual cities, as determined by their governing authorities. This complements existing state funding and directly affects the office's ability to provide indigent defense services in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal resolution from the Louisiana House of Representatives that honors Jacob William Guichard and Peter Jeffries Schissel, the top two graduating students from Holy Cross School's 2026 class. The measure acknowledges their academic achievements at the school, which has a long history of educating boys in New Orleans. By adopting this resolution, the legislature publicly recognizes these students' success and encourages them to continue striving for excellence in their future studies.