Rep. Annie Spell

Maddy summarySB 151 requires Louisiana's Office of Motor Vehicles to flag driver's licenses for two specific groups: drivers with DNA matches in the state's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database, and individuals who legally owe the state a DNA sample to complete their profile. The bill mandates that state police create rules for this flagging system by January 1, 2027. It directly affects drivers whose cases involve unresolved DNA evidence or incomplete DNA profiles. The policy change is a procedural mechanism to improve law enforcement's ability to identify and contact these individuals. The bill is currently in the early stages of review.

Maddy summarySB 200 allows Louisiana to take over (expropriate) land within 50 miles of military bases if owned or controlled by "foreign adversaries" (as defined by U.S. Treasury lists) or their agents. It directly affects property owners in that zone who meet the bill’s definitions of foreign adversaries or their agents. The law requires the state to prove the ownership poses a threat to public health and safety before proceeding, using procedures similar to existing eminent domain laws but with added documentation. Property owners would receive relocation assistance under Louisiana’s existing laws. The bill aims to protect military bases by removing potential security risks from foreign-controlled land.

Maddy summaryHB 288 requires healthcare providers in Louisiana to include "miscarriage" in parentheses after "spontaneous abortion" in all medical records and billing documentation. This bill directly affects hospitals, clinics, and medical billing entities regulated under Louisiana law. The key provision mandates this terminology change for consistency in clinical records and billing systems, using plain language to clarify the medical term "spontaneous abortion" (referring to early pregnancy loss). The bill is procedural, focusing solely on standardizing medical documentation terminology without altering healthcare services or patient rights.

Maddy summaryHB 392 requires all Louisiana public and nonpublic secondary schools to post suicide prevention hotline information on their websites and print it on student ID cards. Specifically, schools must display the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number "988" (with instructions to call or text) and, if available, local and state suicide prevention hotline numbers. This bill updates existing requirements by broadening the scope to all secondary schools and standardizing the required information. The policy directly affects schools and students by ensuring immediate access to crisis resources through everyday school materials.

Maddy summaryHB 354 renames the Magnolia Bridge (on Louisiana Highway 64 over the Amite River between East Baton Rouge and Livingston Parishes) as the "Caleb Easterling Memorial Bridge." The bill requires the Department of Transportation to install signage reflecting this name, with costs covered by local or private funds not exceeding $750 per sign. This is a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes or direct impact on residents or services.

Maddy summaryHB 575 establishes a priority for youth in Louisiana's extended foster care program to purchase surplus state vehicles. It directly affects young adults aged 18-21 who are eligible for and participating in the extended foster care program under state law (R.S. 46:288.1 et seq.). The bill amends state property law to give these foster youth first preference over other buyers when the state disposes of surplus vehicles, ensuring they have priority access to vehicles that would otherwise be sold publicly. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 546 amends Louisiana law to clarify when peace officers can take individuals into protective custody for immediate medical evaluation. It requires officers to have reasonable grounds based on personal observation or credible third-party information that a person is either a danger to themselves/others, gravely disabled, or at substantial risk of serious harm without immediate intervention. The bill specifies that officers must transport such individuals only to designated treatment facilities, following existing department procedures. This directly affects law enforcement officers and individuals experiencing acute mental health crises requiring urgent care.

Maddy summaryHB 427, the "Kids Online Protection and Anti-Grooming Act," requires online platforms (like social media and video games) that contract with minors under 16 in Louisiana to prioritize minors' privacy. It mandates two key changes: setting minor accounts to private by default (visible only to connected users) and alerting legal guardians if minors encounter sexually explicit material. The bill directly affects platforms operating in Louisiana with minor users, defining "minor" as anyone under 16 not emancipated or married. These provisions aim to reduce exposure to harmful content and strengthen parental oversight through default settings and notification systems.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Louisiana Department of Health to partner with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and other experts to study how to prevent and reduce diabetes-related amputations in the state. The study will examine current amputation rates, associated healthcare costs, and evidence-based strategies such as early detection, improved patient education, and expanded access to limb-saving treatments. A specialized workgroup of medical professionals and community members will guide the research, with findings and policy recommendations due to the legislature by December 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the licensing requirements for Type III early learning centers in Louisiana. Specifically, it clarifies that the state department cannot require licensing for prekindergarten programs run by public or nonpublic schools that are already approved under existing state laws. The legislation directly affects private and religious schools operating prekindergarten classes, ensuring they are not subject to duplicate licensing rules if they meet current educational standards. By removing the option to license these specific programs, the bill streamlines regulations for schools already operating under a recognized approval process.