Rep. Tehmi Chassion

Maddy summaryHB 565 amends the state's historic preservation laws to clarify how public historic buildings should be renovated. The bill expands the definition of protected properties to include individual landmarks and contributing elements of historic districts, while explicitly exempting interior work, routine maintenance, and emergency repairs from strict review requirements. It also mandates that state agencies and local governments consult with the state historic preservation office before starting significant exterior projects on listed buildings. Additionally, the legislation requires these entities to consider expert recommendations from local historic commissions and preservation specialists when planning renovations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Louisiana residents with a valid state driver's license or special identification card to register to vote or update their registration online through the Secretary of State's website. It also ensures that individuals who need internet access or help completing the form can do so in person at their local registrar of voters office. The law amends existing statutes to establish these electronic registration options and related procedures for updating voter information.

Maddy summaryHB 340 requires public school governing authorities to establish a tracking system for parental complaints. The bill mandates that schools record and monitor these complaints to ensure they are addressed consistently. This measure directly affects school districts and the parents who file grievances regarding school policies or operations. By creating a formal log, the legislation aims to improve transparency and accountability in how schools handle parental concerns.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies how employment laws apply to workers who use medical marijuana. It ensures that employees cannot be fired or disciplined solely for having a valid medical marijuana prescription, but it explicitly allows employers to take action if an employee uses the drug or is impaired while on the job or driving company vehicles. The changes specifically protect workers from discrimination based on their medical status while maintaining safety rules for those operating vehicles or heavy equipment during work hours.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every public and approved nonpublic secondary school in Louisiana to print the number "988" on the back of all student identification cards. The measure also mandates that schools post the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number on their websites to ensure easy access to help. Effective July 1, 2024, the law aims to make suicide prevention resources more visible to students and staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Lafayette Consolidated Government to choose how it handles payments for its employee retirement system. It gives the government two options: it can spread out payments for past certifications over a twenty-year period starting July 1, 2024, or it can set new certifications to be paid off over twenty years with monthly installments. These changes apply specifically to the city-parish consolidated government and its employees, aiming to adjust how retirement funds are amortized.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Louisiana's legislative auditor to examine how local governments and other nonstate entities spend money on new construction projects funded by the state. The law specifically targets entities that receive capital outlay funds and mandates that they follow existing financial rules when building new projects. If an entity fails to comply with these spending requirements, the auditor must record the violation as a finding of noncompliance. This change aims to increase oversight of state-funded construction projects to ensure proper use of public money.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the installation and use of newborn safety devices at designated infant relinquishment sites under the state's Safe Haven Law. It directly affects hospitals and other facilities that serve as safe drop-off locations for parents wishing to surrender their newborns anonymously. The legislation allows these sites to use specific safety devices to facilitate the safe transfer of infants to medical professionals. This change aims to provide a secure and standardized method for handling newborn surrenders at these locations.

Maddy summarySB 342 is a technical amendment that updates a reference within the Louisiana Tumor Registry law to point to a different section of the state statutes. This change does not alter the registry's operations or affect patients, but rather corrects a citation to ensure legal consistency. The bill moves a specific provision from one legal code to another, a common procedural step to maintain accurate legislative records.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to inform people applying for recreational fishing and hunting licenses about the option to become organ and tissue donors. Under the new rule, applicants will receive information on how to register as donors when they submit their license applications. The legislation aims to increase awareness of organ donation among outdoor enthusiasts by integrating the message into the standard licensing process.