Rep. Jason DeWitt

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies and school districts to provide more detailed reports on how federal and state funds are used for mental health services. The key change mandates that these reports include specific information such as the budget unit, program description, funding sources, and demographic data including the number of individuals with disabilities. By standardizing these reporting requirements, the legislation aims to increase transparency regarding the allocation and use of public money for mental health programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the installation and use of newborn safety devices at designated infant relinquishment sites under the state's Safe Haven Law. It directly affects hospitals and other facilities that serve as safe drop-off locations for parents wishing to surrender their newborns anonymously. The legislation allows these sites to use specific safety devices to facilitate the safe transfer of infants to medical professionals. This change aims to provide a secure and standardized method for handling newborn surrenders at these locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to inform people applying for recreational fishing and hunting licenses about the option to become organ and tissue donors. Under the new rule, applicants will receive information on how to register as donors when they submit their license applications. The legislation aims to increase awareness of organ donation among outdoor enthusiasts by integrating the message into the standard licensing process.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative, a state program designed to support pregnant women and newborns. It requires the relevant state department to create specific rules that ensure the program is clinically effective, financially stable, and held to high performance standards. The legislation also mandates that the department report its annual progress to the legislature, including details on oversight and penalties for failing to meet program goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the text of a previously passed law regarding teacher and school employee compensation by changing the word "enacted" to "reenacted" in the first section. The change does not introduce new requirements, funding levels, or eligibility criteria for educators. Instead, it serves as a technical correction to the legislative language used to describe the law's status. Consequently, the bill has no direct impact on salaries, benefits, or the operations of schools beyond clarifying the statute's wording.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of Louisiana Highway 171 in Leesville as the "Claude 'Buddy' Leach Memorial Highway" to honor an individual. The legislation requires the Department of Transportation and Development to install official signs marking this name, but only if local or private funds cover the full cost of materials and installation. Each sign must not exceed a cost of $550, and the state will not pay for the signage itself. The change is limited to the road segment between Boone Street and East Louisiana Street within the city limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that formally expresses the condolences of the Louisiana Legislature on the death of James David Cain, a former state representative and senator. The document honors Cain's life and career by detailing his background as a basketball coach, his military service, and his decades of public service in both the House and Senate. It serves as an official acknowledgment of his contributions to the state and extends sympathy to his surviving family members, including his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Maddy summaryHB 967 allows retired teachers from the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana to return to work in critical shortage positions. The bill authorizes the system to rehire these retirees and adjusts their retirement benefits to account for their continued service. It also includes minor grammatical corrections to the text of the legislation. This measure directly impacts retired educators and the state's public school system by creating a pathway for experienced teachers to resume employment where there is a high demand.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary joint subcommittee to examine the state's supplemental pay program for local law enforcement and fire protection officers. The group will review existing laws, a recent audit report, and auditor recommendations to propose potential policy changes for the 2025 legislative session. The subcommittee is authorized to hold public hearings and gather data from relevant agencies before submitting its findings by March 1, 2025. This measure is a procedural step that does not alter current pay rates or laws until any resulting recommendations are formally introduced as legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 382 removes two outdated sections from Louisiana's hunting license laws that are no longer in use. This change directly affects hunters and the state's licensing system by eliminating rules for basic licenses that allow hunting over extended periods and a specific license for primitive firearms. The bill does not alter current hunting seasons or create new requirements; it simply deletes these existing provisions.