Rep. Jason DeWitt

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Louisiana's Firefighters' Retirement System to allow surviving spouses to designate disabled or minor children as beneficiaries for a portion of their survivor benefits. Specifically, spouses must make this designation within 30 days of the firefighter's death and must ensure the total benefit value remains equivalent to what the spouse would otherwise receive (verified by an actuary). The change directly affects surviving spouses of firefighters who currently receive survivor benefits under the system. It modifies existing rules to provide structured options for sharing benefits with dependents while maintaining the spouse's primary benefit amount.

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 summarySB 58 creates a new criminal offense in Louisiana law called "child grooming" (defined under R.S. 14:81.7), making it illegal to commit or attempt to commit acts intended to build a relationship with a minor for sexual purposes. This bill directly affects individuals who engage in such grooming behavior and law enforcement handling related cases. The key provision adds "child grooming" as a specific sexual offense against minors under Louisiana law (R.S. 15:541(25)(o)), and also treats equivalent crimes committed in other jurisdictions as if they occurred in Louisiana (R.S. 15:541(25)(p)). The bill amends existing criminal codes to formally define and criminalize this conduct.

Maddy summaryHB 260 is a procedural bill that names itself "The Segus Jolivette Act" and adjusts section numbering within the legislation. It does not change any substantive homicide laws or affect specific individuals or policies. The bill’s sole provisions are administrative: naming the act after Segus Jolivette (a person likely recognized for contributions to criminal justice) and correcting section numbering. This is a commemorative measure with no policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHB 72 modifies Louisiana's statute of limitations for certain debts owed to educational or charitable entities. It sets a 30-year limit for lawsuits over debts like student loans, stipends, or benefits due to charitable institutions or funds (excluding federal student loans), and a 10-year limit for non-student-loan debts owed to public universities. All claims must be documented in writing to be enforceable. The bill applies retroactively to existing debts but does not revive claims already resolved before its effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 387 allows Louisiana's Department of Veterans Affairs to charge reasonable rates for maintenance and care at state veterans facilities to nonveteran residents who are financially capable of paying. It requires the department to establish a payment system considering the income and estate of nonveteran residents, similar to how veterans' payment capability is assessed. This bill directly affects nonveteran residents of state-run veterans facilities who meet the financial criteria for payment. The policy change modifies existing rules to explicitly include nonveterans in the facility care charging structure.

Maddy summaryHB 60 amends Louisiana law to authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs to operate and maintain healthcare facilities specifically for war veterans with psychiatric or geriatric conditions, as well as other veterans and nonveterans meeting federal eligibility under Title 38 of the U.S. Code. It defines "war veterans" as those honorably discharged after serving during U.S. wartime periods (including Korean Conflict, Vietnam era, and post-January 1955 service). The bill also expands access to include National Guard or reservists not activated under federal duty (Title 10). This legislation directly affects Louisiana war veterans and eligible nonveterans seeking specialized healthcare services through state-operated facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 47 sets specific rules for filling vacant police positions in Alexandria, Louisiana. It requires the city to select new officers from the top five candidates with the highest departmental seniority on the official promotional list, after considering reinstatements or reemployment. This directly affects the Alexandria Police Department and its hiring process for classified positions. The bill modifies existing procedures to prioritize seniority within the promotional list for these vacancies.

Maddy summaryHB 18 increases funding by $5.7 million for supplemental benefits within the Firefighters' Retirement System. This directly affects active and retired firefighters covered by the system, ensuring their supplemental retirement benefits are fully funded. The bill adjusts the state budget to provide this additional funding, with no new requirements or changes to eligibility. It is a straightforward budgetary appropriation, not a new policy or benefit expansion.

Maddy summarySB 9 expands restrictions on drone use by adding federal and state military installations and facilities to the list of locations where unmanned aircraft systems (drones) are prohibited. This directly affects drone operators, including hobbyists and commercial users, who would now be barred from flying drones near military bases and related facilities. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include these sites in the prohibited zones, updating the legal definition without changing penalty terms. The measure passed unanimously in the Senate and is now moving to the House for further consideration.