Rep. Tehmi Chassion

Maddy summaryHB 357 requires health insurance plans to cover integrative cancer treatments like acupuncture, directly affecting cancer patients seeking these services and health insurance issuers. The bill limits coverage for acupuncture treatment during active cancer care to fifteen visits per year, unless additional treatments are recommended by nationally recognized cancer guidelines and the treating physician. It also modifies prior authorization requirements by adding "prior authorization" to the list of coverage conditions. This bill is currently under review by the Committee on Appropriations after passing the Insurance Committee with amendments.

Maddy summaryHB 656 would repeal a previously enacted reduction in Louisiana's state sales and use tax rate, effectively increasing the tax rate. It would dedicate a portion of the resulting tax revenue - estimated at $276.8 million - to fund permanent salary increases for public school staff, specifically requiring at least $2,000 for certified personnel and $1,000 for noncertified personnel. The bill's implementation is conditional: it would only take effect on January 1, 2030, if the legislature fails to secure funding for these raises by December 31, 2029, through the Minimum Foundation Program or other sources. This bill directly affects public school employees across Louisiana's city, parish, and local school boards.

Maddy summaryHB 160 amends ethics complaint procedures to require that complaints must include matters identified in legally required reports submitted to the ethics board by government agencies or officials. This directly affects government agencies, officials, and ethics boards by clarifying the scope of issues that can be raised in formal ethics complaints. The key provision specifies that complaints must reference matters already documented in agency reports, streamlining the process for handling ethics concerns. The bill passed committee and advanced to third reading in May 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 402 adds a new income tax deduction for veterans with service-connected disabilities, as defined under existing law (R.S. 47:297.26). This deduction directly affects qualifying veterans by reducing their taxable income, with an estimated fiscal impact of $11.3 million in state general fund revenue. The bill amends the tax code to include this deduction within Section 47:293(9)(a)(xxvii), replacing outdated references to other sections. The change provides a concrete tax benefit for veterans meeting specific disability criteria established by current law.

Maddy summarySB 66 defines "military status" to clarify protections against discrimination in education, employment, public accommodations, and housing. It specifically includes active/reserve U.S. military members and their dependents (with a defined 180-day support requirement) under existing anti-discrimination law. The bill adds this definition to Louisiana Revised Statute 23:322(10), making it explicit who qualifies for these protections. The Senate unanimously passed the bill (39-0) in April 2025, sending it to the House for further consideration.

Maddy summarySB 118 modifies Louisiana's tax code to exclude certain deposits into ABLE accounts (Achieving a Better Life Experience Accounts) from state income tax. Starting in 2026, account owners can exclude up to $2,400 annually (single filers) or $4,800 (joint filers) per beneficiary for qualified disability expenses, with unused amounts rolling over to future years. This applies only to deposits made for beneficiaries with disabilities, excluding the funds from taxable income calculations. The bill directly affects Louisiana residents using ABLE accounts to save for disability-related expenses. It takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 81 requires Louisiana public schools to provide parents with free access to instructional materials, including online resources and printed copies upon request. Schools must establish reasonable in-person viewing hours and may charge only reasonable fees for physical copies made using school equipment - no fees apply for online access or in-person viewing without copies. The bill limits free access to curricula adopted under state law and allows in-person viewing of nonsecure tests, but not digital copies of assessments. School boards must submit their access policies to the state education department by March 2026, with reports to the legislature on compliance. This directly affects parents of students in Louisiana public schools and school districts implementing these policies.

Maddy summarySB 78 exempts rapid fentanyl test strips (FTS) and specific drug testing devices from being classified as "drug paraphernalia" under state law. This directly affects individuals who use these tools to test substances for fentanyl (a dangerous opioid), harm reduction organizations, and first responders. The bill explicitly states that FTS, FDA/National Institute of Justice-certified kits, and accredited lab devices (like gas chromatograph-mass spectrometers) cannot be considered illegal paraphernalia. However, it clarifies these tools cannot be used to manufacture or distribute controlled substances. The law aims to remove legal barriers to using these safety tools while maintaining restrictions on drug trafficking.

Maddy summarySB 58 creates a new criminal offense in Louisiana law called "child grooming" (defined under R.S. 14:81.7), making it illegal to commit or attempt to commit acts intended to build a relationship with a minor for sexual purposes. This bill directly affects individuals who engage in such grooming behavior and law enforcement handling related cases. The key provision adds "child grooming" as a specific sexual offense against minors under Louisiana law (R.S. 15:541(25)(o)), and also treats equivalent crimes committed in other jurisdictions as if they occurred in Louisiana (R.S. 15:541(25)(p)). The bill amends existing criminal codes to formally define and criminalize this conduct.

Maddy summaryHB 373 requires the Workforce Investment Council to annually analyze the return on investment for industry-based credentials earned by high school students. It mandates collecting and sharing student data - including social security numbers - with the Council to evaluate these credentials' effectiveness in preparing students for careers. The bill directly affects high school students pursuing industry certifications and the Workforce Investment Council, which must use the data to assess program value. Key provisions include standardized data collection, annual reporting, and specific sharing protocols for student information. The bill aims to inform policy decisions about high school career pathways without specifying fiscal impacts.