Rep. Denise Marcelle

Maddy summarySB 1 requires all public bodies in Louisiana to conduct votes during open meetings using either a voice vote (viva voce) or electronic voting systems that display and record each member's individual vote. This directly affects city councils, school boards, and other local government bodies that hold public meetings under Louisiana's Open Meetings Law. The bill explicitly states that electronic voting machines meeting this recording standard satisfy the law's requirement for a public, recorded vote. The law applies retroactively to all previous meetings where votes were taken without such recording.

Maddy summaryHCR 110 is a concurrent resolution that declares maternal mortality a public health emergency in Louisiana and urges the state Department of Health to conduct a comprehensive review of the crisis. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, hospitals, managed care organizations, and community groups by requesting they collaborate to evaluate barriers to care, such as geographic disparities and workforce shortages. Key provisions ask for an analysis of why maternal deaths are occurring, including factors like delayed prenatal care and social determinants of health, with the goal of producing recommendations to improve outcomes and strengthen accountability. This measure is non-binding and does not create new laws, but rather directs state agencies to study the issue and propose a plan to reduce preventable deaths.

Maddy summaryHB 232 updates Louisiana's process for minors (under 18) to obtain employment certificates. It replaces school-based requirements with a standardized digital form, requiring minors to provide parent/guardian consent and age verification (like a birth certificate) through the state department. Employers must keep the certificate for 14 days after a minor’s job ends, and the state can revoke certificates for improper issuance or illegal employment. The bill removes all obligations from schools and school boards regarding these certificates. It takes effect on August 2, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 376, the "Learn and Earn Act," creates a new program allowing Louisiana public high schools to partner with businesses for paid, credit-bearing work-based learning opportunities. It requires school boards to establish career practicums through written agreements with businesses that ensure fair value exchange (e.g., businesses provide equivalent benefit for school resources used) and align with state-approved career pathways. The program directly affects high school students - especially in rural or underserved communities - by offering compensated job training in fields like healthcare or technology while meeting educational requirements. Key provisions mandate that these practicums operate exclusively within defined instructional boundaries, prioritize student safety/supervision, and integrate financial literacy and employability skills.

Maddy summaryHB 629 creates a special Louisiana license plate for the Krewe of Athena Carnival Club, available to any Louisiana resident who applies and pays fees. The plate requires a minimum of 1,000 applicants to be issued, with an annual $25 fee (plus a $3.50 handling fee) collected by the state. All $25 fees go directly to the Krewe of Athena to fund scholarships for debutantes, with the plate design including the words "Krewe of Athena" and following state plate regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 346 renames a specific section of U.S. Highway 171 in Florien, Louisiana (from Louisiana Highway 118 to Sandra Lane) as the "Speaker Joe Salter Memorial Highway." The bill directs the Louisiana Department of Transportation to install signage for this redesignation, provided local or private funds cover the department's actual costs (up to $750 per sign). This is a procedural naming bill with no substantive policy changes affecting residents, programs, or funding. It solely honors Speaker Joe Salter through a highway designation.

Maddy summaryHB 111 would allow incarcerated individuals in Louisiana to earn an additional 90 days of credit toward their parole supervision date if they obtain an associate's degree from a regionally accredited, department-approved educational institution while serving their sentence. This policy directly affects people in Louisiana state prisons who complete such a degree program. The key provision adds this specific credit to existing good time calculations under Louisiana law, reducing the time they must serve under parole supervision. The bill does not alter prison sentences but shortens the parole period for eligible individuals who earn the degree.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes minor formatting and punctuation adjustments to a larger legislative text regarding a trauma-informed training program. The changes include capitalizing the word "Domestic," adding a comma after "teachers," and inserting the word "or" at the end of a line. These amendments do not alter the substantive policy content but instead correct the text for consistency and clarity. The bill directly affects the administrative drafting of the legislation rather than introducing new operational requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes Carolyn Hill for her contributions to East Baton Rouge Parish and the state of Louisiana. It highlights her extensive background in social work, education policy, and community leadership, including her past role on the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. The measure serves as a ceremonial commendation rather than establishing new laws or changing existing policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that formally honors Etta Jane Harris as she retires from her position as deputy undersecretary of the Department of Children and Family Services in Louisiana. It recognizes her over forty-four years of public service, highlighting her work in areas such as child welfare, housing, and state budget management. The resolution expresses appreciation for her career contributions and wishes her well in retirement, without changing any laws or policies.