Rep. Tehmi Chassion

Maddy summarySB 121 requires written permission for school-based mental health screenings of students. It specifies that screenings cannot proceed without written consent from a parent or legal guardian, unless the student is 18 or older (age of majority) or legally emancipated, in which case the student may provide their own written consent. The bill directly affects students, schools, and parents/guardians by clarifying consent requirements for these screenings. The bill is currently under review in the Senate Committee on Education, with recent amendments focusing on consent language to align with student age and legal status.

Maddy summaryHB 520 creates special license plates for antique motor vehicles (defined as 35 years or older) and modifies related rules. It requires owners to submit a notarized affidavit confirming the vehicle has not been materially altered and limits use to special occasions like exhibitions or parades - excluding regular daily driving. The bill increases the fee for these special plates while establishing new requirements for issuance through local licensing bureaus. It directly affects owners of qualifying antique vehicles seeking these specialized plates. The law does not change sales tax on vehicles but adjusts fees and usage rules for antique plate holders.

Maddy summaryHB 486 requires Louisiana public schools to offer mental health assessments to certain students. It defines which mental health professionals can conduct these assessments, including licensed mental health providers (like psychologists or counselors) and behavioral health service providers licensed by the state. Schools must use providers from these categories and can find current provider lists through licensing boards or the state Department of Health website. The bill focuses on creating clear pathways for schools to access qualified mental health professionals, directly affecting public schools and the students they serve.

Maddy summaryHB 384 requires Louisiana public school boards to annually collect and report specific expulsion data to the state Department of Education regarding students found with certain substances on school property. The bill mandates reporting on: (1) first-time expulsions for substance offenses, (2) repeat expulsions, and (3) students returning to regular schools after alternative placements. This directly affects public school students in Louisiana who possess specified substances on campus and the school boards responsible for disciplinary actions. The key provision creates a standardized data collection system to track disciplinary outcomes for these offenses, replacing previous requirements. The bill does not change the actual disciplinary penalties but focuses on transparency and data collection for accountability.

Maddy summaryHB 541 would create a state registry for individuals and entities that provide caregiving services to referred individuals. The bill establishes a new code section (40:2120.8) requiring these caregivers to be listed in the registry, primarily affecting those offering direct care services. This registry would serve as a centralized database for tracking caregiving providers, with no significant fiscal impact expected. The bill focuses on administrative tracking rather than changing healthcare access or funding.

Maddy summarySB 61 requires insurers to provide consumers with a copy of the specific credit information they used when underwriting or setting rates for personal insurance policies (like auto or home insurance). This directly affects policyholders who apply for or renew personal insurance, giving them transparency into the credit data influencing their premiums. The key provision mandates that insurers must disclose this credit information upon initial application or renewal, rather than keeping it confidential. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate but does not change how credit data is used in rate calculations, only requiring disclosure to consumers.

Maddy summaryHB 570 references existing requirements in R.S. 51:1773 regarding minors' use of applications, directing that developers comply with those provisions. The bill's amendments (amending grammar and terminology) do not introduce new policy changes but adjust the bill's language to align with the referenced law. The bill directly affects app developers by requiring adherence to established regulations for minors' application use. No specific new mechanisms or policy changes are described in the provided context beyond referencing existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 356 creates the "Stated Value Homeowner's Policy Act," allowing insurers to offer a new type of homeowner's insurance policy. This policy would cover a home's actual value at the time of loss (rather than replacement cost), directly affecting homeowners who choose this option and insurers who provide it. The bill modifies existing language to clarify that any insurer offering this specific policy option must follow defined requirements. The key change is making the insurer's obligation to provide this option discretionary ("may" instead of "shall"), giving insurers flexibility in offering the policy.

Maddy summarySB 28 creates an income tax credit for homeowners who install fortified roofs meeting specific safety standards. Taxpayers directly affected are those paying for qualifying roof installations on their primary residence. The bill requires applicants to submit a certificate from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) verifying compliance with fortified roof building standards to claim the credit. This credit aims to incentivize safer roofing practices through a state tax benefit, with the IBHS serving as the designated certification body.

Maddy summarySB 123 creates an income tax credit for Louisiana taxpayers who donate to public schools rated "D" or "F" in the previous year's accountability system. The credit covers 95% of the donation amount, which schools must use for specific educational needs like classroom materials, tutoring programs, child care, or health clinics. Schools must provide a receipt showing the donation amount and their grade, and the total credit value cannot exceed $10 million annually, issued on a first-come, first-served basis. This policy applies to donations made for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond, starting January 1, 2026.