Rep. Kellee Hennessy

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Office of the Surgeon General within the Louisiana Department of Health to establish a formal leadership role for public health advocacy. The legislation primarily involves administrative text changes to ensure the title is consistently written as "office of the surgeon general" throughout the law. Additionally, the bill clarifies the effective date of the act, specifying when it becomes law upon the governor's signature or approval. These provisions aim to organize the state's health infrastructure without altering existing operational powers or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public schools in Louisiana to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom by January 1, 2025. The legislation allows schools to use donated funds or donated physical displays to cover the cost, ensuring no money from public school budgets is spent on the items. Additionally, schools must include a historical statement explaining the long tradition of using the Ten Commandments in American education. While the primary focus is on the Ten Commandments, the bill also permits the display of other historical documents like the Mayflower Compact and the Declaration of Independence.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires physicians and physician assistants to complete one hour of continuing education on treating sickle cell disease, a requirement that was originally set at three hours but was reduced by an amendment. The legislation also mandates that the educational materials used for this training be made available on the state board's website for public access. These changes directly affect medical professionals who treat patients with sickle cell disease by updating their training obligations and improving resource availability.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the state Office of Motor Vehicles to accept proof of vehicle insurance issued by other states. It removes language that previously required insurance to be from the state where the vehicle is registered. The change allows drivers to legally prove their insurance coverage using documents from any other state. This update simplifies the process for vehicle owners who travel or live near state borders.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Sexual Assault Survivor's Bill of Rights for licensed hospitals and healthcare providers in Louisiana, ensuring that survivors can choose whether to report an assault to law enforcement without losing access to medical care or evidence collection. It mandates that all survivors receive timely, private examinations and treatment by qualified providers, with the option to have an advocate present during forensic exams. The legislation also outlines specific procedures for collecting and preserving evidence, including a requirement that unreported evidence be stored securely for at least one year and transferred to law enforcement within seventy-two hours if the facility can maintain proper chain of custody.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals from picketing directly in front of a person's home or dwelling, specifically within fifty feet of the property. It updates existing laws to clarify that the restriction applies to the immediate vicinity of a residence rather than a broader area nearby. The legislation also expands the scope to include situations where the picketing interferes with an individual's control over their property or use of their home. These changes aim to provide clearer legal boundaries for what constitutes prohibited picketing behavior near private residences.

Maddy summaryHB 443 is a procedural amendment that corrects specific references within a law regarding the confidentiality of records for certain protected individuals. The bill does not introduce new policies or change existing rules but instead updates the text to align paragraph and subsection numbering with the current legal structure. This technical adjustment ensures the statute accurately describes how confidentiality protections apply without altering the actual rights or obligations involved.

Maddy summaryHB 976 mandates that healthcare facilities allow in-person visitation for patients, with the exception of licensed forensic psychiatric hospitals where these rules do not apply. The bill changes the language regarding visitation from optional to required, ensuring that facilities must permit family and friends to visit patients physically rather than relying solely on virtual means. This legislation directly impacts hospitals, nursing homes, and other care providers by establishing a clear requirement for face-to-face visitor access.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state crime for unlawfully entering or reentering Louisiana as an alien who is not lawfully present in the United States. It defines "alien" to include anyone unlawfully present in the state and specifies that lawful presence covers U.S. citizens, permanent residents, visa holders, and those with asylum status. The legislation establishes penalties for the offense and includes an exemption for aliens who are victims or necessary witnesses to serious crimes such as domestic violence, rape, and human trafficking. Additionally, the bill authorizes the governor to negotiate an interstate compact with other states to deter unlawful entry and reentry.

Maddy summarySB 234 prohibits state and local government entities in Louisiana from entering into contracts with companies that discriminate against the firearm and ammunition industries. The bill defines "status" to explicitly include the lawful products, services, and practices of firearm entities and trade associations, ensuring these businesses are protected from discriminatory treatment. It authorizes the state attorney general to take legal action against companies that violate these rules and allows the attorney general to recover legal costs if they win a case. Additionally, the law includes a threshold exemption, meaning the restrictions do not apply to contracts where a company receives less than $50,000 in total funding.