Rep. Tehmi Chassion

Maddy summaryThis resolution asks the Louisiana Board of Regents to study how new rules allowing colleges to pay student-athletes directly affect university sports programs. The study will examine financial costs, staffing needs, and compliance issues for schools like LSU and Tulane that have joined this new system. It also looks at how these changes might impact smaller sports, local economies, and the overall budget of public universities. The Board must submit its findings and recommendations to state lawmakers by February 15, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal request from the Louisiana legislature to the U.S. Congress and federal health agencies to speed up research and clinical trials for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. It does not create new laws or change funding directly but instead asks federal officials to prioritize efforts to develop better treatments for this aggressive blood cancer. The resolution also names these proposed research efforts the "Jonas A. Feeley Act" to honor a recent victim of the disease. Ultimately, the measure serves as a symbolic gesture to advocate for increased federal attention on improving survival rates for patients with this condition.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Louisiana Department of Health and Department of Education to create a comprehensive report on the current state of autism support services in Louisiana. The report will examine diagnostic practices, service availability, and access barriers across healthcare and education sectors, involving collaboration with the Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. It will assess diagnostic tools, provider training, wait times, and compare Louisiana's services to other states to identify gaps and areas for improvement. The final report must be submitted to the legislature by January 1, 2027, to inform future policy decisions regarding autism support.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Task Force on School Nurse Orientation in Louisiana to create a training program for new registered nurses entering public schools. The task force will review existing orientation programs, identify essential skills for school nurses, and develop recommendations for standardized training and mentorship opportunities. It will consist of nine representatives from various organizations including nursing associations, education agencies, and health departments, and must begin its work by August 1, 2026. The group will submit its recommendations to the legislature and will dissolve once its work is complete or by February 12, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 712 creates fee waivers for Class "E" driver's licenses and state identification cards for homeless individuals in Louisiana. It requires applicants to provide a letter from an approved entity (like a homeless shelter, healthcare provider, or school liaison) confirming homelessness, which includes people living at or below 100% of the federal poverty line. The waiver covers all fees for issuing, renewing, or replacing these credentials, but excludes individuals violating driver's license laws. This bill directly affects homeless residents seeking essential identification without cost.

Maddy summarySB 234 requires all public Louisiana medical schools offering doctorate degrees to use a letter-grade system (A-F with plus/minus) for student coursework starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. It directly affects public medical schools and their grading policies, mandating that all medical degree coursework be assessed using this specific scale. The Louisiana Board of Regents will enforce the rule and can impose civil penalties for violations. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and is titled the "Medical School Letter Grade Act."

Maddy summaryHB 852 requires Louisiana's individual income tax form to permanently include a checkoff option for taxpayers to donate to the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This change directly affects Louisiana taxpayers who file individual income tax returns, ensuring this donation option remains visible on their forms year after year. The bill amends tax code to prevent removal of this specific checkoff, overriding a standard rule that would eliminate donation options with low annual contributions ($10,000 over two years). This is a concrete policy change to sustain funding for domestic violence prevention services through the tax system.

Maddy summaryHB 474 allows Louisiana taxpayers who file individual income tax returns and receive a refund to redirect all or part of that refund to the Grambling University National Alumni Association. Taxpayers would indicate this choice when filing their return, reducing their refund amount by the designated portion. The Louisiana Department of Revenue would administer and distribute the donated funds to the alumni association starting with tax years beginning January 1, 2027. This is a procedural tax form change, not a new tax or spending measure.

Maddy summaryHB 74 proposes creating a "Spectrum Alert" system in Louisiana to assist law enforcement in locating children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who go missing. The bill requires the Department of Public Safety to develop a public notification system that verifies a child’s missing status, issues community alerts via text/email/flyers, and coordinates with private entities. It also mandates specialized training for officers on ASD responses and de-escalation tactics, while granting legal immunity to participating law enforcement, broadcasters, and others. The bill directly affects children with ASD, their families, and law enforcement agencies across Louisiana.

Maddy summaryThis Louisiana resolution asks the state attorney general to study how businesses are handling cash transactions and credit card fees after the U.S. stopped making pennies. The study will investigate whether different rounding methods and surcharges confuse consumers, hurt low-income individuals, and reduce trust in local commerce. It specifically directs officials to survey current practices, compare them with rules in other states, and recommend any new laws needed to create fairer and more transparent payment standards.