Rep. Tehmi Chassion

Maddy summaryHB 49 modifies Louisiana law to change how victim testimony in parole and pardon hearings is handled. It replaces requirements for written transcripts with rules allowing audio, written, or visual recordings of victim testimony during private "executive sessions." The bill requires that any disclosure of such testimony must first receive approval from a judge in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court. This directly affects victims, spouses, or next of kin of deceased victims who participate in these hearings. The changes amend specific statutes (R.S. 15:572.4, 573, 574.2, 574.4.1, and 574.12.1) to implement these confidentiality procedures.

Maddy summarySB 104 is a procedural bill that modifies the leadership structure of the "Empowering Families to Live Well Louisiana Council." It adds a provision requiring the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) secretary (or designee) and a Senate member appointed by the Senate president (or designee) to serve as co-chairs of the council. The bill does not create new programs or funding but changes the administrative oversight of an existing council focused on family services. It passed unanimously in the Senate (38-0) and is now pending in the House. This bill directly affects the council's governance but does not alter its purpose or services.

Maddy summaryHB 97 creates an economic development district within the city of Jeanerette, Louisiana, primarily affecting local businesses and the city government operating within that designated area. The bill establishes a formal framework for economic development activities, including potential tax incentives or streamlined regulations, though the provided text focuses on the district's creation rather than specific mechanisms. Amendments to the bill (changing "composed" to "composed of seven" and "finance" to "financing") appear to be technical corrections to the district's composition and financial provisions. This procedural bill directly impacts Jeanerette's economic planning and local business operations within the new district.

Maddy summaryHB 584 is a technical amendment to Louisiana law regarding the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program. It updates legal references by removing outdated statutory citations (R.S. 15:827.3(A)(2)(a)) and changing a percentage threshold from "Two" to "Fifteen" in the program's eligibility rules. The bill does not create new program requirements but adjusts how the program is referenced in state law. This amendment was passed by the legislature in May 2025 and affects the administrative framework of the existing youth pilot program.

Maddy summaryHB 291 shortens the statute of limitations for wrongful death and survival claims related to medical malpractice. Specifically, it sets a one-year deadline from the date of death to file such claims, replacing the previous standard timeframe. This change directly affects families seeking legal recourse after a death caused by medical negligence. The bill modifies the legal process by establishing a fixed, shorter window for filing these specific claims. The amendment was recently passed to third reading in the legislative process.

Maddy summaryHB 468 amends Louisiana Revised Statute 36:784 by adding a new subsection (A) related to the Civilian Honor Medal Program for veterans. This is a procedural bill that modifies an existing code section without introducing new benefits, eligibility criteria, or funding. The bill does not directly affect veterans or programs beyond a technical reference update. It has advanced through committee and is now at third reading in the legislature. (Note: The context does not specify the exact nature of the amendment to subsection (A).)

Maddy summaryHB 387 allows Louisiana's Department of Veterans Affairs to charge reasonable rates for maintenance and care at state veterans facilities to nonveteran residents who are financially capable of paying. It requires the department to establish a payment system considering the income and estate of nonveteran residents, similar to how veterans' payment capability is assessed. This bill directly affects nonveteran residents of state-run veterans facilities who meet the financial criteria for payment. The policy change modifies existing rules to explicitly include nonveterans in the facility care charging structure.

Maddy summaryHB 273 establishes the official state children's Christmas book, designating a specific title as a state symbol. The bill’s amendments (Amendment No. 1 and 2) corrected minor drafting errors, such as removing unnecessary "the" before "Cajun" in the text. This is a symbolic procedural bill with no substantive policy changes or direct impact on residents or state programs. It focuses solely on naming a children’s Christmas book for official recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 60 amends Louisiana law to authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs to operate and maintain healthcare facilities specifically for war veterans with psychiatric or geriatric conditions, as well as other veterans and nonveterans meeting federal eligibility under Title 38 of the U.S. Code. It defines "war veterans" as those honorably discharged after serving during U.S. wartime periods (including Korean Conflict, Vietnam era, and post-January 1955 service). The bill also expands access to include National Guard or reservists not activated under federal duty (Title 10). This legislation directly affects Louisiana war veterans and eligible nonveterans seeking specialized healthcare services through state-operated facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 96 updates Louisiana law to include the U.S. Space Force as part of the defined "U.S. Armed Forces" in specific statutes. It amends references in Louisiana Revised Statutes 14:34.1(B) and 14:34.7(B) to add the Space Force to existing military definitions. This change directly affects state laws that reference "Armed Forces," ensuring consistency with the federal establishment of the Space Force as a separate military branch. The bill makes no new policy changes but aligns Louisiana’s legal language with current federal military structure.