Rep. Joy Walters

Maddy summaryHB 457 establishes minimum housing standards for emergency shelters, community facilities, group homes, and halfway houses serving individuals experiencing homelessness in Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Health must create rules covering safety, sanitation, privacy, and habitability for these facilities, in consultation with the state fire marshal. The fire marshal will conduct annual inspections to ensure these housing options meet safety and sanitation standards. Additionally, the Department of Health must seek federal waivers to secure healthcare funding for homeless individuals receiving these services. The bill directly affects homeless service providers and the housing conditions they offer.

Maddy summaryHB 579 in Louisiana establishes specific rights for sexual assault survivors by amending the state's Sexual Assault Survivor Bill of Rights. It requires that unreported sexual assault evidence collection kits be preserved without cost for at least 20 years (or longer per state policy), ensures survivors are notified of all their rights under the law, and confirms survivors retain any additional rights granted by other Louisiana laws. The bill directly affects individuals who have experienced sexual assault in Louisiana, focusing on preserving evidence and ensuring awareness of legal protections. These provisions aim to strengthen support systems for survivors through concrete policy changes in evidence handling and rights communication.

Maddy summaryHB 761 creates an advisory board within Louisiana's Department of Health to review and recommend new treatments for rare cancers. The 17-member board includes health officials, cancer researchers, oncologists from major institutions (like LSU, Tulane, and Xavier), and representatives from cancer research centers. The board must hold quarterly public meetings, compile findings within 30-45 days, and submit written reports to the Insurance Committees of both legislative chambers. This process directly affects how the Department of Health evaluates rare cancer treatments, streamlining recommendations to the agency for potential adoption.

Maddy summaryHB 719 mandates minimum staffing levels for assistant district attorneys (ADAs) across all 42 judicial districts in Louisiana, including Orleans Parish (New Orleans). The bill specifies exact minimum numbers - such as 35 ADAs for the First Judicial District and 83 for Orleans Parish - requiring district attorneys to appoint at least these numbers in each district. It also requires approval from the Governor’s Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys before implementation, with the changes taking effect on January 1, 2027. This bill directly affects district attorneys’ offices by setting enforceable staffing requirements, without altering legal procedures or creating new programs.

Maddy summaryHB 403 changes Louisiana's food safety law to set a $30,100 annual sales threshold for home-based food sellers. It directly affects small home food businesses whose gross sales reach or exceed this amount, requiring them to comply with standard food safety regulations. The bill amends Section 4.9(B) of the state code to remove the exemption from the Sanitary Code for these sellers. This is a concrete policy change limiting the current exemption to businesses with lower sales volumes.

Maddy summaryHB 325 revises Louisiana's TOPS-Tech scholarship eligibility by adding a new pathway for students to qualify. Instead of requiring only a minimum GPA or ACT score, students can now qualify by completing at least nine credit hours of early college coursework (through dual enrollment or technical programs) or equivalent validated skills. This change applies to first-time freshmen enrolling in college during or after the 2026-2027 academic year. The bill directly affects Louisiana students seeking this career-focused scholarship by expanding how they can meet academic requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the condolences of the Louisiana House of Representatives on the death of Spencer Leak, Jr., a vice president of a funeral home in Chicago. The text honors his legacy as a community leader who advocated for affordable burials and supported civil rights efforts in the city. It serves as a formal gesture of respect from the state legislature to his family and friends rather than enacting new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis resolution establishes a Clean Water Task Force to investigate the public water system in Shreveport, Louisiana, which has recently faced issues like aging infrastructure, chemical contamination, and boil advisories. The task force will include representatives from state health and environmental agencies, local city officials, and local universities to assess the condition of water pipes, treatment facilities, and management practices. Members must complete their evaluations and submit a written report with recommendations for improving water quality and infrastructure reliability by November 18, 2026. The group is required to hold public hearings in Shreveport throughout the summer to gather community input before finalizing their findings.

Maddy summaryThis Louisiana resolution establishes a subcommittee within the House Committee on Commerce to study whether funeral planners and end-of-life doulas should be regulated, licensed, or overseen by the state. The subcommittee is tasked with examining issues such as defining these professions, setting education and training standards, preventing undisclosed fees, and clarifying liability for licensed funeral homes that work with unregulated third parties. By November 1, 2026, the group must submit a written report with specific policy recommendations or proposed legislation to the legislature and the state's legislative research library. The committee will hold public hearings and seek input from funeral industry associations before making its final recommendations.

Maddy summaryHB 1247 establishes a statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Coordinator to oversee and support forensic care for sexual assault survivors across the state. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, and survivors by creating a centralized role to improve the consistency and quality of medical examinations and evidence collection. Key provisions include defining the coordinator's responsibilities, setting up a funding mechanism, and outlining procedures for training and certification of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. The legislation aims to streamline the response to sexual assaults by ensuring survivors receive standardized, trauma-informed care from qualified professionals.