Rep. Mike Bayham

Maddy summaryHB 392 requires all Louisiana public and nonpublic secondary schools to post suicide prevention hotline information on their websites and print it on student ID cards. Specifically, schools must display the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number "988" (with instructions to call or text) and, if available, local and state suicide prevention hotline numbers. This bill updates existing requirements by broadening the scope to all secondary schools and standardizing the required information. The policy directly affects schools and students by ensuring immediate access to crisis resources through everyday school materials.

Maddy summaryHB 354 renames the Magnolia Bridge (on Louisiana Highway 64 over the Amite River between East Baton Rouge and Livingston Parishes) as the "Caleb Easterling Memorial Bridge." The bill requires the Department of Transportation to install signage reflecting this name, with costs covered by local or private funds not exceeding $750 per sign. This is a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes or direct impact on residents or services.

Maddy summaryHB 738 proposes changes to disciplinary procedures at Louisiana public colleges and universities for student misconduct. It requires institutions to provide detailed written notices of charges - including specific policy violations and evidence - to students facing suspension (10+ days) or expulsion, and grants accused students and alleged victims the right to be represented by an attorney or advocate at their own expense. The bill sets evidence standards (clear and convincing evidence for most cases, preponderance of evidence only for serious injury/death cases with documented proof), mandates access to disciplinary files 7+ business days before hearings, and requires written appeal decisions. Sanctions cannot take effect until all appeals are resolved, with a 14-day window to file an appeal after a decision. The bill applies to all students and student organizations at public postsecondary institutions in Louisiana.

Maddy summaryHB 575 establishes a priority for youth in Louisiana's extended foster care program to purchase surplus state vehicles. It directly affects young adults aged 18-21 who are eligible for and participating in the extended foster care program under state law (R.S. 46:288.1 et seq.). The bill amends state property law to give these foster youth first preference over other buyers when the state disposes of surplus vehicles, ensuring they have priority access to vehicles that would otherwise be sold publicly. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 330 amends Louisiana law to strengthen penalties for damaging graves and religious institutions. It increases fines for grave desecration to up to $500,000 or six months in jail (plus mandatory restitution), and for religious building vandalism, fines range from $500 to $5,000 based on damage costs (with imprisonment up to two years for $500+ damage). The bill directly affects individuals who intentionally damage graves or religious structures, requiring courts to order offenders to pay for the damage sustained. These provisions apply to all such offenses, with enhanced penalties specifically for religious sites.

Maddy summaryHB 319 revises the membership structure of the Louisiana Commission on Civic Education. It specifies appointments from various groups, including the Louisiana Legislators Back to School Program, Project Citizen, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, the League of Women Voters, and civic organizations like the NAACP and Louisiana Press Association. The bill removes previous membership categories and establishes a quorum requirement of ten members, with official actions needing a majority vote of those present. This procedural change affects how the commission is composed but does not alter its civic education mission.

Maddy summarySB 399 creates the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to protect the state's colleges and universities from foreign adversaries. The law requires institutions to report and restrict gifts, contracts, research partnerships, and academic collaborations with entities from countries or groups designated as foreign adversaries, while prohibiting certain travel and gifts from such sources. It defines key terms like "foreign adversary" and "foreign source," and includes penalties for violations, such as the theft of trade secrets. The bill directly affects all Louisiana institutions of higher education that grant degrees or have a physical presence in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 639 requires political campaigns and third parties to clearly disclose when artificial intelligence (AI) creates campaign ads or phone calls. It mandates that AI-generated ads include a visible or audible statement (e.g., "This ad was made with AI") for at least three seconds, while AI phone calls must state this at the start. The law applies to candidates, outside groups funding ads, and media platforms distributing such content. Violations can result in fines up to $2,500 for first offenses or $5,000 for repeat violations. The bill aims to ensure voters know when AI is used in political communications.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal resolution that condemns the political violence that occurred on January 6, 2021, when armed individuals stormed the U.S. Capitol during a joint session of Congress. It directly addresses the events of that day by officially stating the House's stance against such actions. The text does not create new laws or penalties but serves as a symbolic statement of condemnation.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the language used in a law regarding wearing masks in public by changing the requirement from being "charged with a felony" to being "convicted of a felony." The change directly affects individuals who have already been found guilty of serious crimes, rather than those currently accused. By removing the word "charged," the amendment ensures that only people with final court convictions must comply with the mask mandate, excluding those who are merely awaiting trial. This adjustment narrows the scope of who is legally required to wear masks under the existing public health regulations.