Maddy summarySB 43 establishes Louisiana's Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Program within the Department of Health to fund clinical studies using psychedelic medications (like psilocybin) for treating opioid use disorders, co-occurring substance use disorders, and treatment-resistant mental health conditions. The program requires academic health centers to meet strict federal and state compliance standards - including FDA approval, safety protocols, and therapist qualifications - to conduct these studies. Eligible patients, including those with the specified conditions, may participate, and parishes can use opioid settlement funds to enroll residents. The bill mandates annual progress reports from participating centers and requires coordination with other states conducting similar research. This is a research-focused program, not a policy allowing general therapeutic use.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 593 raises the maximum fee local governments can charge for motor vehicle services at field offices not fully funded by the state, increasing it from $4.50 to $8 per transaction. It affects local offices across Louisiana that cover operational costs (like facility rent and utilities) through user fees. Parishes of Orleans, Jefferson, and Calcasieu may charge up to $6 per transaction, while West Monroe can charge the new $8 limit. Fees cannot be applied to vehicle registration renewals, and the bill removes prior exceptions for specific parishes regarding fee caps.
Maddy summaryHB 1194 amends the Healthy Food Retail Act to require the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center to work with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. This collaboration aims to gather data, conduct research, and share technical information to identify and map food deserts across the state. The bill directly affects these two state agencies by mandating their joint efforts to address food access issues. It does not create new funding or alter existing programs but focuses on improving data collection regarding where residents lack access to healthy food options.
Maddy summaryHB 944 creates the Louisiana Women's Health Consortium within the Louisiana Department of Health to address women's health needs across the state. The consortium will include 15 voting members representing health institutions (like Tulane School of Medicine and Woman's Hospital), government agencies (such as the surgeon general's office), and community stakeholders, plus nonvoting members from additional health organizations. Its core duties include developing a state funding plan for women's health initiatives, creating a comprehensive Women's Health Agenda focusing on issues like perimenopause and menopause, and identifying systemic barriers to care. The consortium must hold quarterly public meetings, submit an annual report to the legislature, and coordinate an online resource hub for evidence-based women's health information.
Maddy summaryHB 335 requires state agencies, local governments, and organizations administering federal, state, or local public benefits (like food assistance or housing programs) to verify applicants' U.S. citizenship or valid immigration status under federal law. It mandates that entities must verify citizenship before approving benefits, with specific procedures for cases where applicants lack proper status. The bill also requires these entities to undergo annual audits by the legislative auditor and submit yearly reports to state leadership detailing how many applicants were referred to immigration authorities or had benefits terminated due to citizenship verification. These reports must include statistics on referrals to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and terminations of public assistance under the law.
Maddy summaryHB 623 establishes a three-tier system for Louisiana's tobacco and vapor product industry, separating manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers into distinct roles with strict ownership and transaction rules. It prohibits manufacturers from holding retail or wholesale permits, wholesalers from being manufacturers or holding retail permits, and retailers from buying directly from manufacturers or unauthorized sources. The bill requires all products to be sold from manufacturers to permitted wholesalers, bans direct shipments to retailers or consumers, and mandates a digital tracking system for all product transfers to record details like product ID, quantity, and tax status. These changes directly affect all businesses selling tobacco or vapor products in Louisiana, requiring new compliance with permit rules and tracking requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a task force to study work release programs run by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. The task force will investigate how these programs operate and may hold meetings at the state capitol, the department's headquarters, or other locations chosen by the chairman. The legislation also specifies that the department itself will manage the task force rather than the House of Representatives. By establishing this group, the bill aims to provide a formal review of current work release practices without changing existing laws.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a task force to study utility terrain vehicles in Louisiana, involving the Louisiana State Police and other relevant stakeholders. The legislation adds the state fire marshal or their designee as a required member of this group. By including this specific role, the bill ensures that fire safety concerns are represented in the task force's discussions. The primary goal is to create a collaborative body that can address issues related to these vehicles without prescribing specific policy outcomes.
Maddy summaryHB 222 requires Louisiana Medicaid to cover dental procedures when they are medically necessary for a patient to safely receive another Medicaid-covered medical treatment. This directly affects Medicaid enrollees who need dental care as a prerequisite for other covered medical procedures, such as surgeries or chronic condition management. The bill mandates the Louisiana Department of Health to update the state’s federal Medicaid plan, create necessary administrative rules, and submit required amendments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It does not expand general dental coverage but targets specific cases where dental treatment is a medical necessity for other covered care.
Maddy summaryHB 217 allows Louisiana parishes to optionally offer property tax exemptions for blighted or derelict properties that have been rehabilitated. If a parish adopts this exemption, it would provide up to 75% tax relief on residential properties for up to 20 years, or up to 25% relief on adjacent unimproved land for up to 10 years, subject to specific rehabilitation standards. Parishes must establish application processes, approval criteria, and revocation rules for property owners who hold title to qualifying rehabilitated properties. The exemption applies only to properties meeting the bill's definitions of "blighted" (court-declared public nuisance) or "derelict" (structurally unsafe, fire hazards, or dangerous conditions). The policy would take effect for tax years starting January 1, 2027, pending a constitutional amendment approval.