Rep. Lauren Ventrella

Maddy summaryHB 662 modifies Louisiana wildlife laws to protect individuals caring for sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife that they legally possess. It requires Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries officials to obtain a court order before seizing such animals or euthanizing them, preventing immediate action without due process. The bill mandates a court hearing within five days if seizure occurs, where a judge determines if the animal poses an immediate public safety threat and whether the caregiver met legal requirements. This directly affects wildlife caregivers and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries by requiring judicial oversight for seizures and euthanasia decisions.

Maddy summarySB 244 would establish a new recreational alligator hunting season in Louisiana, separate from existing commercial hunting. It requires hunters to obtain a special alligator hunting license and recreational harvest tags issued by the Louisiana Wildlife Commission, and prohibits hunting outside designated seasons, without proper licenses/tags, or using illegal methods. The bill allows the Commission to set specific seasons, harvest quotas, residency rules, and permitted hunting hours by geographic area. Violations would be classified as a class three violation, with penalties specified in the bill. This directly affects Louisiana residents and visitors seeking to hunt alligators recreationally under new rules.

Maddy summaryHB 934 allows Louisiana residents to legally keep certain native wildlife they capture by hand on their own property, directly affecting households that hunt or collect local animals. It permits up to six animals total per household from specific species (like opossums, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, and whitetail deer), prohibits selling or moving wildlife out of Louisiana, and requires secure enclosures that prevent escape or injury. For deer specifically, enclosures must be at least eight feet high, with minimum sizes of 200 square feet for the first deer and 150 square feet more per additional deer. The bill also bans keeping wildlife in inhumane conditions and explicitly prohibits transferring or selling captured animals.

Maddy summaryHB 679 creates a special identification card designation for Louisiana residents diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI), allowing them to display this status on their state ID cards. To qualify, applicants must provide a medical statement from a licensed professional verifying their TBI diagnosis, with no additional fee required for the designation. The bill also establishes penalties for false claims (fines up to $500 or jail time) and mandates new law enforcement training to improve officers' awareness and communication when interacting with individuals with TBI.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal request from the Louisiana House of Representatives asking the U.S. Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require voters to show identification at federal election polling places. The resolution argues that voter ID laws help prevent fraud and increase public trust in elections, noting that 36 states already have similar requirements. It does not directly change any laws or affect voters immediately, but rather serves as a non-binding recommendation to federal lawmakers. The bill is a procedural measure expressing support for election integrity rather than implementing specific policy changes itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Consumer Legal Funding Act in Louisiana to regulate companies that provide financial advances to individuals involved in legal disputes, with repayment contingent on the outcome of the case. The legislation requires these funding agreements to be written contracts that clearly disclose all fees, charges, and the effective rate of return, which must not exceed the state's maximum conventional interest rate. It also prohibits deceptive practices, such as misrepresenting terms or requiring consumers to waive legal rights, while exempting standard attorney fees, medical liens, and other specific credit arrangements. Enforcement of these rules is handled by the state attorney general, and individuals who violate the act may face penalties including civil lawsuits for damages and attorney fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new requirement for economic development districts in Louisiana that initially imposed taxes without any residents living within their boundaries. It mandates that if at least 30 qualified voters move into such a district, the tax must be renewed through a special election if requested by at least 15% of those residents. The law also restricts the district from issuing new debt funded by these taxes until after the election results are confirmed, ensuring that current residents have a direct say in continuing the levy. Ultimately, the measure gives new residents the power to approve or terminate the tax, with the exception that any existing debt must still be paid off using the collected funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Louisiana Board of Naturopathic Medicine and establishes a new licensing framework for naturopathic doctors in the state. The legislation defines the scope of practice for naturopathic medicine, including permitted therapies, diagnostic procedures, and minor office surgeries, while also outlining requirements for education, training, and professional conduct. It grants licensed naturopathic doctors the authority to prescribe certain medications, order diagnostic tests, and compound drugs for individual patient needs, subject to specific limitations and regulations. The bill also transfers oversight of naturopathic medicine from existing agencies to the Louisiana Department of Health and sets rules for advertising, credential display, and fees associated with the new licensing system.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies who can legally identify themselves as a psychologist in Louisiana by updating the state's definition of the term. It directly affects individuals offering psychological services and those using titles that imply psychological expertise. The key provision states that only persons licensed under the state's psychology chapter may represent themselves as psychologists, while prohibiting others from using titles or descriptions that suggest they possess expert qualifications in psychology. This change aims to prevent unlicensed individuals from misleading the public by using terminology that implies professional qualification in the field.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows healthcare providers, institutions, and payors in Louisiana to refuse to provide or fund certain medical services based on their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. It defines "conscience" to include religious guidelines and protects those who object to services like abortion or contraception from facing retaliation such as job termination, license revocation, or other adverse employment actions. The law also prohibits employers from punishing healthcare professionals for providing treatments patients have consented to, while explicitly exempting religious organizations from certain employment and staffing requirements. Emergency care obligations remain unchanged, and the bill does not apply to discrimination in insurance purchasing or good-faith accommodation efforts.