Rep. Tehmi Chassion

Maddy summarySB 150 requires the Louisiana Department of Health to scan original vital records documents (like birth and death certificates) submitted for processing, store them electronically, and return the physical copies to the submitter. It allows the department to issue certified copies of these records in both paper and electronic formats, ensuring electronic copies have the same legal standing as paper originals. This change directly affects residents who need official copies of vital records for legal, medical, or personal purposes. The bill updates the process for handling and providing access to these essential documents without altering eligibility or requirements.

Maddy summarySB 185 makes it illegal for agreements to prevent child sexual abuse victims from discussing or disclosing their abuse. The bill declares that any nondisclosure agreement involving such victims is unenforceable in court and against public policy. This directly affects victims in Louisiana by removing legal barriers to speaking about their experiences. The law ensures victims cannot be silenced through binding contracts, focusing solely on this specific policy change.

Maddy summarySB 195, the "Danny's Dose EMS Treatment Act," allows licensed EMTs, advanced EMTs, and paramedics to administer a patient's own time-critical prescription medications during emergencies. It specifically applies to patients with rare diseases, chronic illnesses, or special medical needs who request it, using only intranasal, intravenous, or intramuscular medications. The bill establishes commission protocols for this practice and grants immunity from liability for EMTs unless gross negligence occurs. This directly affects emergency medical personnel and patients requiring immediate access to their prescribed medications outside standard hospital settings.

Maddy summarySB 206 requires all Louisiana public school districts to conduct blood pressure screenings for students during the first semester or within 30 days of enrollment, following the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommended schedule. School boards must document results, follow up on abnormal readings within 60 days, and notify parents in writing if issues are found. This applies to public schools but exempts charter schools from the blood pressure screening requirement specifically (while they still follow other health screening rules). The bill aims to identify hypertension early in students through standardized school-based testing.

Maddy summarySB 275 requires Louisiana health insurers to reimburse certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) at the same rate as physicians for identical services performed within a CRNA's scope of practice, regardless of billing codes. It also prohibits insurers from denying CRNAs network inclusion solely based on their provider type or licensure. The law applies to new insurance policies issued on or after January 1, 2027, and existing policies must comply by January 1, 2028. This directly affects insurers, CRNAs, and patients seeking anesthesia services covered under these plans.

Maddy summaryHB 285 allows Louisiana high school boards to partner with credit unions to operate on-site branches at high schools. The bill requires these branches to be integrated into the state-mandated financial literacy course (R.S. 17:270), giving students hands-on experience managing personal finances. School boards must establish rules for outside use of buildings, including fees, under this new partnership framework. The policy directly affects high school students, school boards, and credit unions by embedding practical financial education into existing coursework.

Maddy summaryHB 506 creates special license plates for specific Louisiana high schools (including Lafayette High, Carencro High, and others) and establishes a new "blackout" plate design. The blackout plate requires 1,000 applicants, features a black background with a blue line symbolizing fallen officers, and charges a $25 annual fee (with $24 going to the Louisiana Fraternal Order of Police charity). Louisiana drivers can apply for these plates like standard licenses, with fees covering administrative costs and funding police-related charities. The bill standardizes design rules, fees, and distribution for all special plates.

Maddy summaryHB 413 prohibits Louisiana auto insurers from using rating factors in their rate filings that are based solely on losses from natural disasters or catastrophes affecting other insurance lines (like property insurance). This directly affects auto insurance customers and insurers in Louisiana by preventing rate increases tied to events like hurricanes that only impacted other policies. The bill allows insurers to use such factors only in multi-line policies covering both auto and other insurance types. The law takes effect on January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 551 allows Louisiana registrars of voters to hire trained commissioners to assist during early voting, specifically for the nursing home voting program. Commissioners must take an oath, complete a confidentiality form (including partial SSN), and follow strict rules to protect voter information. They will be paid $150 per day for their work, in addition to any other applicable compensation. This bill directly affects registrars, nursing home voters, and the commissioners themselves by standardizing their roles in early voting operations.

Maddy summaryHB 801 creates a "Classic Black" specialty license plate for Louisiana motor vehicles, available to any Louisiana resident who applies for it. The plate features a black background with white numbers and "LOUISIANA" at the top, and requires a $25 annual fee (plus $3.50 handling) on top of standard license taxes. All fees collected will fund emergency vehicle operations training for local governments at the Donald J. Thibodeaux Training Center in Holden. The plate is restricted to passenger cars, pickup trucks, RVs, motorcycles, and vans, but requires at least 1,000 applicants before issuance.