Rep. Tony Bacala

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 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 The bill amends the tax code to include this deduction within Section 47:293(9)(a)(xxvii), replacing outdated references to other sections.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 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 summaryHB 111 amends language in a law regarding the unlawful presence of certain sex offenders. The bill specifically removes references to "school or a school-related activity" from the prohibited locations where sex offenders may not be present. Key changes include deleting redundant phrases and adjusting wording about behavior in public spaces (e.g., changing "to linger, remain, or prowl" to "lingering, remaining, or prowling"). The bill focuses on clarifying the legal language of the existing statute rather than creating new restrictions. It was favorably reported by the committee in April 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 260 is a procedural bill that names itself "The Segus Jolivette Act" and adjusts section numbering within the legislation. It does not change any substantive homicide laws or affect specific individuals or policies. The bill’s sole provisions are administrative: naming the act after Segus Jolivette (a person likely recognized for contributions to criminal justice) and correcting section numbering. This is a commemorative measure with no policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 363) is a technical amendment to correct the reference to an existing statute (R.S. 14:93.4) within the criminal code regarding cruelty and exploitation of the elderly. It does not create new laws or change policy; it only updates the statute citation to match the correct reference. The bill directly affects legal references used by courts and law enforcement in cases involving elder abuse. It is procedural in nature, with no substantive changes to the law governing elder exploitation.

Maddy summaryHB 451 clarifies who must report suspected child abuse by expanding the definition of "teaching or child care provider" to include school resource officers, bus drivers, coaches, and other school staff. It requires school resource officers to immediately notify law enforcement or child welfare authorities if they suspect abuse, and mandates their employers to assign the investigation to the appropriate officer. The bill directly affects school staff, child care providers, and law enforcement agencies in handling abuse reports. This is a procedural update to existing reporting requirements, not a new policy, and it is currently pending in the legislature after passing committee.

Maddy summarySB 138 requires health insurance issuers in Louisiana to provide coverage to retired employees of district attorneys' offices who were previously covered under their employer's group plan, as long as they are not yet Medicare-eligible and their office is funded by a local sales tax. It prohibits insurers from denying enrollment or discriminating against retirees compared to active employees regarding coverage. The bill does not force district attorneys' offices to offer coverage to retirees or require better terms than those provided to active staff. It specifically applies to retirees from district attorney offices meeting the outlined eligibility conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes a technical correction to Louisiana's public records law by updating statutory references related to law enforcement and investigative agency records. It revises specific sections of Louisiana Revised Statutes 44:3(A) to include the introductory paragraph in the referenced provisions. The bill does not change existing public records access rules or create new requirements - it only clarifies the legal citation. As a procedural amendment, it affects how the law is referenced but not who can access records or what records are public.

Maddy summaryHB 79 clarifies how firearm-related sentencing enhancements apply when defendants enter plea agreements in Louisiana. It requires prosecutors and defendants to formally agree in writing (a "stipulation") about whether a firearm was possessed, used, or discharged during specific felonies or enumerated misdemeanors (like violent crimes, theft, burglary, or drug offenses) before a plea is finalized. This process replaces the previous requirement for a jury trial to determine these facts in plea cases. The bill directly affects defendants pleading guilty to qualifying offenses who used firearms, ensuring the applicable mandatory minimum sentences (2 years for possession, 5 for use, 10 for discharge) are applied consistently through the plea agreement process.