Rep. Stephanie Berault

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally commends Paul Hollis, the director of the United States Mint, for his return visit to the Louisiana House of Representatives. The measure expresses gratitude for his past service as a state representative and his current role as the first Louisianian to lead the Mint. It does not create any new laws or change existing policies, but rather serves as an official statement of appreciation for his contributions.

Maddy summaryHB 521 proposes a constitutional amendment to Louisiana's property tax system, allowing local taxing authorities (like parishes or municipalities) to adjust property tax rates to the maximum authorized rate from a prior reassessment without requiring new voter approval. The key mechanism permits these authorities to increase rates to the previous year's maximum level using a two-thirds vote of the governing body, after holding a public hearing with proper notice. This change would take effect January 1, 2027, and applies to all property tax collections starting that date. The bill does not change current tax rates but modifies the process for adjusting them, requiring transparency through public hearings while removing the need for separate voter referendums for these adjustments.

Maddy summaryHB 660 increases the state-paid annual salary for assistant district attorneys in Louisiana to $50,500 starting July 1, 2026. It directly affects all assistant district attorneys whose salaries are funded by the state (not local parishes), including those in Orleans Parish. The bill specifies exact salary amounts on set dates (e.g., $50,000 effective 2021, $50,500 effective 2026) and requires separate state appropriations to fund these increases. This is a concrete salary adjustment with no new program or policy beyond the specified pay rates.

Maddy summarySB 28 lowers the minimum age requirement for associate teachers in Louisiana from 25 to 21 years old. This change directly affects individuals seeking to join Louisiana's associate educator program as new participants. The bill amends existing law (R.S. 17:7.8(B)(3)) to update this age requirement, with no other substantive policy changes described in the text. The bill is currently in early stages, having been prefilled and referred to the Education Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 68 adds a specific offense to Louisiana's disturbing the peace law, prohibiting the interruption of worship services or religious ceremonies at churches or other places of worship. The bill defines this conduct as disturbing the peace, with penalties including fines up to $500, imprisonment up to six months, or both, and requires at least 15 days of the sentence to be served without probation. This law directly affects individuals who disrupt religious gatherings, making such interruptions a criminal offense. The bill does not change existing penalties for other disturbing the peace violations but specifically targets disruptions at religious sites.

Maddy summaryHB 102 creates a new criminal offense for "second degree cruelty to elderly and persons with infirmities," targeting intentional or negligent mistreatment causing serious injury to vulnerable individuals. It directly affects caregivers - including family members, neighbors, nursing homes, and care facilities - and applies to elderly people (60+), those with disabilities, or individuals in residential care settings. Key provisions define the crime, set penalties of up to 40 years in prison (with a mandatory minimum of 5 years if death occurs), and include an affirmative defense for spiritual healing methods. The bill also designates this offense as a "crime of violence" under Louisiana law, impacting sentencing in related cases.

Maddy summarySB 195, the "Danny's Dose EMS Treatment Act," allows licensed EMTs, advanced EMTs, and paramedics to administer a patient's own time-critical prescription medications during emergencies. It specifically applies to patients with rare diseases, chronic illnesses, or special medical needs who request it, using only intranasal, intravenous, or intramuscular medications. The bill establishes commission protocols for this practice and grants immunity from liability for EMTs unless gross negligence occurs. This directly affects emergency medical personnel and patients requiring immediate access to their prescribed medications outside standard hospital settings.

Maddy summaryHB 923 reorganizes Louisiana's workforce and social service delivery by establishing an integrated case management system. It creates a "One Door" model allowing individuals to access multiple services - like employment support, education, and family assistance - through a single entry point with coordinated case workers. The bill defines key terms like "integrated service plan" and requires agencies to streamline services across departments, reducing the need for clients to navigate separate offices. This directly affects individuals seeking workforce or social services and the state agencies (including Louisiana Works) responsible for delivering them.

Maddy summaryHB 294 allows houses of worship (like churches, mosques, and synagogues) to request that disruptive or trespassing individuals leave their premises. If such individuals refuse, authorized staff or security may use reasonable force to remove them, consistent with existing self-defense laws. The law protects these individuals and the religious organization from legal liability when using force that is necessary and proportional to the disruption. This directly affects places of worship and their staff by clarifying their legal authority to maintain order during services or religious activities.

Maddy summaryHB 570 modifies Louisiana's property tax rules to allow local taxing authorities (like parishes, cities, or school boards) to adjust millage rates after reassessments. It permits elected bodies to raise rates up to the constitutional maximum with a two-thirds vote (no voter approval needed), while non-elected bodies face a 2.5% annual revenue cap on increases. Unspent rate allowances expire after 2024 (2023 for Orleans Parish), resetting to 2026 rates, and rates automatically decrease if reassessment increases property values. The bill directly affects local governments setting property taxes and property owners paying those taxes, effective January 1, 2027, pending constitutional amendment approval.