Rep. Roger Wilder

Maddy summaryHB 782 provides supplemental funding for the Louisiana state government for the 2023-2024 fiscal year by adjusting specific budget line items. The bill authorizes money for various projects, including $1 million for improvements at Greenwell Springs Park and $500,000 for depot renovations in the city of Plaquemine. It also allocates funds to the city of Shreveport, a project named Project Seek, and Southern University while reducing a separate appropriation by $100,000. Additionally, the legislation includes several technical edits to the budget document, such as removing certain funding requests and clarifying which streets receive infrastructure support.

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 While the primary focus is on the Ten Commandments, the bill also permits the display of other historical documents like the Mayflower Compact and the Declaration of Independence.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 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 577 prohibits social media companies from collecting data on minors to use for targeted advertising. The law directly affects children under the age of 18 and the digital platforms that serve them. By restricting how these companies gather and utilize personal information from young users, the bill aims to limit their ability to show ads based on the habits and preferences of minors. This measure represents a concrete change in commercial regulations without speculating on its broader economic or social impacts.

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 establishes a pilot program to help prisoners transition from prison to mental health care. It requires the corrections department to allow incarcerated individuals to join the program, removing the previous requirement that they must apply for it. The legislation aims to streamline access to mental health services for inmates as they prepare for release.

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 summaryThis bill amends existing laws regarding financial transactions at firearms and ammunition retailers by clarifying that payment card networks are not considered financial institutions under current regulations. It also updates enforcement procedures to allow district attorneys to act alongside the attorney general in investigating violations and handling related fees and costs. Additionally, the legislation specifies that notices sent to retailers must be written and delivered within thirty business days to ensure clear communication. These changes aim to refine how financial rules apply to gun stores and how authorities enforce compliance with state laws.

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.