Rep. Denise Marcelle

Maddy summaryThis Louisiana state resolution (HR 369) urges Congress and federal health agencies to maintain current Medicaid funding levels for hospitals in Louisiana. It specifically requests that the Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services avoid policy changes that would reduce reimbursements, which could lead to hospital service cuts or closures - particularly affecting rural facilities serving medically underserved communities. The resolution also calls for immediate approval of pending payment plans for Louisiana hospitals and physicians. Adopted unanimously by the Louisiana House on June 12, 2025, it is a formal request to federal officials, not a binding law.

Maddy summaryHB 358 allows pharmacy technicians to work remotely under specific circumstances, directly affecting pharmacy technicians employed in licensed pharmacies. The bill amends existing law to permit technicians to perform duties from locations outside a physical pharmacy, provided they use secure remote systems. The state board of pharmacy must create implementing rules to govern this remote work arrangement, ensuring compliance with safety and licensing standards. This change modifies current regulations without altering core pharmacy operations or patient care requirements.

Maddy summarySCR 32 is a Louisiana Senate resolution urging Congress to oppose federal Medicaid funding cuts. It emphasizes that over 1.6 million Louisiana residents - including children, seniors, rural healthcare providers, and nursing home residents - depend on Medicaid for essential care, with nearly 70% of nursing home residents relying on it. The resolution requests Congress work with states to strengthen Medicaid instead of implementing cuts that would worsen health outcomes, increase hospital financial strain, and raise costs for all residents. As a procedural resolution (not a law), it does not change policy but formally expresses Louisiana’s position to federal lawmakers.

Maddy summarySCR 62 creates a statewide task force to study and recommend solutions for property blight, defined as dilapidated buildings and overgrown lots. The task force, including mayors, local government leaders, and agency representatives, must develop a strategic plan using data-driven approaches and propose specific legislation by March 2026. It will review past efforts like the Urban Land-Banking Law and focus on place-based revitalization to address blight across Louisiana. The task force’s recommendations will inform future local and state efforts to improve affected neighborhoods.

Maddy summaryHB 457 is a minor procedural bill that requires correctional facilities to provide training and materials related to solitary confinement practices. It does not change solitary confinement policies but clarifies administrative requirements for facilities. The bill amends existing language to ensure facilities have proper training resources, with all amendments consistently adding "and materials" after "training" in multiple sections. This technical update affects state prisons and correctional facilities directly by specifying their training obligations. The bill is classified as "EN NO IMPACT," meaning it has no significant policy or fiscal effect beyond administrative compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 234 clarifies and strengthens Louisiana's definition of "criminal blighting of property," targeting property owners who intentionally or recklessly allow buildings to deteriorate into hazardous conditions. The bill amends statutes to define "blighted property" as vacant, uninhabitable, and dangerous structures (including those declared public nuisances by courts or administrative officers) and specifies that criminal blighting occurs when owners fail to address such conditions after official designation. It directly affects property owners of commercial or residential buildings that become public safety hazards, imposing criminal liability for neglecting repairs. The key mechanism establishes clear legal standards for prosecutors to charge owners who permit hazardous properties to remain unaddressed, aligning definitions across relevant laws.

Maddy summaryHCR 32 is a procedural resolution that continues the Judicial Security Task Force, originally created in 2024, and extends its deadline for submitting a report on courthouse safety requirements to January 1, 2027. The task force studies minimum safety standards to protect judicial officers and their families in courthouses. This resolution does not create new laws but ensures the task force has additional time to complete its research. It directly affects Louisiana’s judicial system by enabling ongoing safety planning for courts. The resolution requires the task force to submit its final report to legislative committees and relevant judicial organizations.

Maddy summaryThis Louisiana House resolution (HR 258) urges President Trump to support the federal Major Richard Star Act. It addresses a current law requiring combat-wounded, medically retired veterans to choose between military retirement pay and VA disability benefits, resulting in reduced total compensation due to an offset. The resolution argues these benefits come from separate funds honoring distinct forms of service and should not be mutually exclusive. The bill passed unanimously in the Louisiana House (93-0) and was referred to the federal administration for consideration. (Note: This is a state legislative resolution requesting federal action, not a bill changing federal law itself.)

Maddy summaryHR 329 is a resolution (not a binding bill) passed by the Louisiana House urging the Attorney General and Louisiana Department of Insurance to investigate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) for potential violations of existing laws. It specifically requests that these agencies examine whether PBMs are violating rules by owning or financially benefiting from pharmacies, which critics argue creates conflicts of interest that disadvantage independent pharmacies. The resolution also urges the Louisiana legislature to pass new laws prohibiting PBMs from owning or having financial interests in pharmacies. This would aim to prevent PBMs from steering patients to their own affiliated pharmacies and ensure fair reimbursement practices for all pharmacies. The resolution highlights concerns about rising drug costs, reduced competition, and threats to rural pharmacy access, referencing similar actions taken by other states.

Maddy summaryHB 184 creates a new tax deduction for Louisiana residents diagnosed with a terminal illness (or their spouse in joint returns) who withdraw funds from retirement accounts due to immediate financial need. The bill allows these "qualifying taxpayers" to deduct hardship distributions from their taxable income, as defined in Louisiana law (R.S. 47:297.26). This deduction applies only to withdrawals made because of a terminal illness diagnosis, not general financial hardship. The policy takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026. It directly affects Louisiana taxpayers with terminal illness who access retirement funds early.