Rep. Francis Thompson

Maddy summaryHB 143 increases the daily payment rate Louisiana's Department of Public Safety and Corrections pays to parish sheriffs for housing state inmates in local jails when the state cannot accept them. The bill sets specific rates: $25.39 per day for FY 2019-2020, $26.39 per day for FY 2020-2021 through FY 2026-2027, and $29.39 per day starting FY 2027-2028. It also requires the department to collaborate with sheriffs to update jail guidelines by December 2020, including treatment and educational programming for inmates. The bill directly affects parish sheriffs, local jails, and the state’s correctional budget.

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 677 allows the Tensas Parish School Board to sell or exchange school lands in Tensas Parish that are no longer needed for educational purposes. The bill requires the school board to obtain a public appraisal from a certified appraiser before any transaction and mandates that exchanged land must be of equal or greater value. It also requires the school board to reserve all mineral rights for the state during any sale or exchange. This bill directly affects the Tensas Parish School Board and state property management in Tensas Parish.

Maddy summaryHB 427, the "Kids Online Protection and Anti-Grooming Act," requires online platforms (like social media and video games) that contract with minors under 16 in Louisiana to prioritize minors' privacy. It mandates two key changes: setting minor accounts to private by default (visible only to connected users) and alerting legal guardians if minors encounter sexually explicit material. The bill directly affects platforms operating in Louisiana with minor users, defining "minor" as anyone under 16 not emancipated or married. These provisions aim to reduce exposure to harmful content and strengthen parental oversight through default settings and notification systems.

Maddy summaryHB 445 transfers Louisiana's STEM Advisory Council from the Department of Education to Louisiana Works and redefines its responsibilities. The bill requires the council to create a statewide STEM education plan, coordinate programs with workforce needs, encourage industry funding, and establish a resource clearinghouse. It creates a dedicated STEM Education Fund to support student-focused programs (including robotics competitions via FIRST) from pre-K through college, funded by legislative appropriations and private donations. The council must submit annual reports to education committees and meet quarterly, with members able to participate electronically. This bill directly affects STEM education programs, schools, and industry partners across Louisiana.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates specific sections of Louisiana Highways 133 and 134 in the Village of Oak Ridge as memorial highways named after four individuals. The legislation officially names Highway 133 North as the Erle McKoin Barham Memorial Highway, Highway 133 South as the Joseph Sidney Carter Memorial Highway, Highway 134 West as the Abner Wimberly Memorial Highway, and Highway 134 East as the James Wallace McLendon Memorial Highway. The Department of Transportation and Development is directed to install and maintain signs for these designations, provided that local or private funding covers the actual costs of materials and installation, with a maximum limit of $750 per sign. This measure directly affects the Village of Oak Ridge and the state transportation department by formalizing these commemorative street names.

Maddy summaryHB 168 establishes a structured transitional reentry program in Louisiana for female parolees, administered by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. It directly affects women who have served at least five years in prison, have no sex offense convictions, are within six months of release, have no recent disciplinary issues, and voluntarily agree to participate. The program aims to support their safe community reintegration through tailored preparation, requiring parole eligibility and adherence to department-established screening. This policy creates a formal pathway for eligible female parolees to access reentry services before release.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates two specific segments of Louisiana Highway 182 as memorial highways: the portion in Jeanerette between Hubertville Road and Canal Street as the "Berwick 'BJ' LeJeune, Jr. Memorial Highway," and the segment between Jeanerette and Sorrel (from LA 671 to LA 318) as the "Ret. Judge Richard T. 'Dickey' Haik, Sr. Memorial Highway." It requires the Department of Transportation to install signage for these designations, funded entirely by local or private contributions covering costs up to $750 per sign. The bill has no substantive policy changes beyond naming these highway sections and establishing a cost-recovery mechanism for signage.

Maddy summaryHB 636, the "Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act," requires Louisiana public colleges and universities to prevent, report, and respond to hazing involving student organizations. It defines hazing broadly (including physical brutality, dangerous activities, or substance consumption) and mandates annual hazing education for all students starting fall 2027, plus specific orientation education for new students. The bill also requires student organizations to report hazing incidents to both law enforcement and their institution, and institutions must document all actions and share full details with law enforcement. These provisions directly affect public postsecondary institutions, their students, and all student organizations, including fraternities, sororities, and clubs.