Rep. Shaun Mena

Maddy summarySB 41 is titled "CHILDREN: Provides relative to child welfare." Based on the provided information, the specific details of the bill's provisions, who it directly affects, and its key mechanisms are not available. The provided text only shows an amendment placeholder, not the full content of the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 408, known as "The Gillian Guiffreda Act," mandates that health insurance plans cover treatments for pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and related conditions. This directly affects children diagnosed with PANS - a severe neurological condition causing sudden behavioral and cognitive changes - and their families, who previously faced barriers to insurance coverage for specialized care. The bill requires insurers to provide coverage for medically necessary treatments related to these conditions, without imposing additional out-of-pocket costs on patients. It focuses on ensuring access to established medical care rather than creating new treatments or programs.

Maddy summarySB 178 establishes a School Employee Bill of Rights document for all school employees in the state. It creates a formal framework outlining workplace rights and protections, directly affecting teachers, support staff, and other school personnel. The bill passed the Senate unanimously (36-1) and is now moving to the House for consideration. This is a procedural bill focused on defining employee rights through documentation, not implementing new operational policies.

Maddy summarySB 42 is a technical amendment to clarify which state office oversees perinatal behavioral health treatment services. It corrects the reference from "office of group benefits" to the properly capitalized "Office of Group Benefits" in the bill text. This change affects administrative processes within the state's health care system but does not alter eligibility, funding, or patient access to perinatal mental health services. The bill focuses solely on updating terminology for clarity in existing policy language.

Maddy summarySB 202 (as described in its title) proposes transferring the University of New Orleans to the Louisiana State University System. However, the provided bill text only shows a technical amendment correcting a reference within existing law (changing "Subsection (C)(2)" to "R.S. 17:3230.1(C)(2)"), not the substantive transfer itself. This appears to be a procedural amendment related to the transfer process, not a new policy. The bill is currently in committee (Education) after recent amendments and is awaiting further legislative action.

Maddy summaryHB 378 lowers the required ACT score for students completing approved home study programs to qualify for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) award. It directly affects students in home study programs who previously needed a higher ACT score for initial TOPS eligibility. The bill amends the program's eligibility criteria by reducing the minimum ACT score threshold for this specific group. The change adjusts the policy without altering the program's core structure or funding amounts.

Maddy summaryHB 126 modifies how Louisiana calculates state funding for parish councils on aging, increasing the minimum annual appropriation by $3.5 million to the Office of Elderly Affairs. This change directly affects local parish councils that provide services for seniors, ensuring they receive a higher guaranteed minimum funding level each year. The bill updates the funding formula to reflect this increased baseline amount, which must be included in the state budget. The policy change is a concrete financial adjustment to support aging services programs across Louisiana parishes.

Maddy summaryHB 533 establishes a tax credit for businesses that hire apprentices, interns, or youth workers, directly benefiting employers in these sectors. The bill sets an annual credit cap starting at $1 million for 2026, increasing by $1 million each year (up to $7.5 million total) if 80% of the prior year’s cap is used. Businesses must apply by February 28 each year for credits earned the previous year, with approvals based on a first-come, first-served system that may involve proportional allocation if demand exceeds available funds. The credit is expected to cost approximately $1.1 million in state funds annually.

Maddy summaryHCR 44 is a non-binding resolution urging the Louisiana State University School of Public Health to reconsider its recommended age for routine breast cancer screening. It does not change any current guidelines or mandate action; it simply asks the school to review its recommendations. The resolution is currently pending floor debate after passing committee review, but it has no legal effect on healthcare policies or patient care. This type of resolution expresses legislative opinion but does not alter medical practices.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 347) urges the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to seek formal input and approval from state lawmakers representing a parish *before* allocating or reallocating transportation funding for projects in that area. It directly affects parishes on the DOTD's priority funding list or those receiving transportation funds, requiring DOTD to consult with their local legislative delegation (state representatives and senators) on project decisions. The key provision mandates that DOTD obtain this input prior to final funding decisions, aiming to increase local accountability and ensure projects align with community priorities. The resolution passed unanimously in the House of Representatives on June 10, 2025, but remains a non-binding request to DOTD.