Rep. Jessica Domangue

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the laws governing the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans to clarify the legal relationship between the board and the city. It explicitly states that the board's composition follows the New Orleans Home Rule Charter unless state law dictates otherwise. Additionally, the legislation grants the New Orleans City Council the authority to create rules for appointing board members and defining their terms of service. These changes aim to align the board's operational framework with existing city charter provisions while providing the city council with clearer regulatory powers over board governance.

Maddy summarySB 43 establishes Louisiana's Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Program within the Department of Health to fund clinical studies using psychedelic medications (like psilocybin) for treating opioid use disorders, co-occurring substance use disorders, and treatment-resistant mental health conditions. The program requires academic health centers to meet strict federal and state compliance standards - including FDA approval, safety protocols, and therapist qualifications - to conduct these studies. Eligible patients, including those with the specified conditions, may participate, and parishes can use opioid settlement funds to enroll residents. The bill mandates annual progress reports from participating centers and requires coordination with other states conducting similar research. This is a research-focused program, not a policy allowing general therapeutic use.

Maddy summarySB 237 requires schools in Louisiana to immediately report allegations of physical or sexual abuse against school employees to the state Department of Education. It creates a database tracking these reports and mandates schools check this database before hiring new employees to identify potential patterns of abuse. The bill also requires the Department of Children and Family Services to notify the state child ombudsman within three business days of child abuse or neglect fatalities or near-fatalities, including specific details like prior department involvement. Additionally, it directs the child ombudsman to notify legislators within 24 hours of any child death linked to abuse or neglect investigations. These provisions directly affect schools, school employees, child welfare agencies, and state legislators.

Maddy summaryHB 782 regulates vapor products and alternative nicotine products in Louisiana by establishing new definitions, increasing permit fees, and adding enforcement mechanisms. It requires retail businesses selling these products to obtain permits (increasing annual fees from $25 to $100 for retailers), mandates wholesale dealers to verify retailers have valid permits, and prohibits remote sales. Violations can result in fines up to $4,000 for repeat offenses, and unpermitted products may be seized and forfeited. The bill directly affects retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers operating in this market within Louisiana.

Maddy summaryHB 431 requires mayors and governing authorities in Louisiana municipalities with 15,000 or fewer residents (per the latest federal census) to complete 16 hours annually of state-approved training. The training covers specific topics like ethics, harassment prevention, cybersecurity, procurement, and emergency preparedness, organized into 13 categories by the Louisiana Municipal Association. Compliance will be verified through annual attestation included with municipal financial reports and publicly listed by the legislative auditor. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and applies to elected officials but not temporary appointees serving less than one year.

Maddy summaryHB 459 requires clear disclosures in political campaigns regarding third-party funding and AI-generated candidate imagery. It mandates that any paid political ad funded by a third party must visibly display the entity’s name for at least three seconds (for video/audio) or in prominent text (for digital). Additionally, ads using AI to create a candidate’s image or likeness must include a visible "AI-generated" disclosure in the same format as the third-party funding label. The law applies to campaigns, advertisers, and media platforms, with violations punishable by fines up to $20,000 or up to two years in prison. This bill directly affects political advertisers, media outlets, and campaign materials in Louisiana elections.

Maddy summaryHB 944 creates the Louisiana Women's Health Consortium within the Louisiana Department of Health to address women's health needs across the state. The consortium will include 15 voting members representing health institutions (like Tulane School of Medicine and Woman's Hospital), government agencies (such as the surgeon general's office), and community stakeholders, plus nonvoting members from additional health organizations. Its core duties include developing a state funding plan for women's health initiatives, creating a comprehensive Women's Health Agenda focusing on issues like perimenopause and menopause, and identifying systemic barriers to care. The consortium must hold quarterly public meetings, submit an annual report to the legislature, and coordinate an online resource hub for evidence-based women's health information.

Maddy summaryHB 401 designates the elevated section of U.S. Highway 190 over the Bogue Falaya River in Covington, St. Tammany Parish, as the "Corporal Justin D. McLeese Memorial Bridge" to honor a military corporal. The bill requires the Louisiana Department of Transportation to install signage reflecting this name, using local or private funds to cover costs up to $2,250 per sign. This is a ceremonial naming bill with no substantive policy changes, solely commemorating an individual through a public infrastructure designation.

Maddy summaryHB 1247 establishes a statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Coordinator to oversee and support forensic care for sexual assault survivors across the state. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, and survivors by creating a centralized role to improve the consistency and quality of medical examinations and evidence collection. Key provisions include defining the coordinator's responsibilities, setting up a funding mechanism, and outlining procedures for training and certification of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. The legislation aims to streamline the response to sexual assaults by ensuring survivors receive standardized, trauma-informed care from qualified professionals.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Louisiana Department of Health to conduct a study identifying gaps in acute healthcare access for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The legislation also establishes a committee to oversee this study, which will include representatives from the House and Senate, as well as one member appointed by the Senate president. The primary goal is to gather data on where and how these individuals face barriers in receiving timely medical care. Once the study is complete, the department is required to submit a report detailing its findings to the legislature.