Rep. Laurie Schlegel

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 summaryThis resolution expresses support for federal efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and asks Congress to cooperate with those efforts. It directly affects the Louisiana Legislature by formally recording its position on a federal policy change. The bill cites the Tenth Amendment to argue that education powers should remain with states rather than the federal government. It does not create new laws or change state education policy, but rather sends a message to the federal government about Louisiana's stance on the issue.

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 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 185 makes it illegal for agreements to prevent child sexual abuse victims from discussing or disclosing their abuse. The bill declares that any nondisclosure agreement involving such victims is unenforceable in court and against public policy. This directly affects victims in Louisiana by removing legal barriers to speaking about their experiences. The law ensures victims cannot be silenced through binding contracts, focusing solely on this specific policy change.

Maddy summarySB 206 requires all Louisiana public school districts to conduct blood pressure screenings for students during the first semester or within 30 days of enrollment, following the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommended schedule. School boards must document results, follow up on abnormal readings within 60 days, and notify parents in writing if issues are found. This applies to public schools but exempts charter schools from the blood pressure screening requirement specifically (while they still follow other health screening rules). The bill aims to identify hypertension early in students through standardized school-based testing.

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 851 prohibits intentional releases of 12 or more balloons at a single event, imposing fines similar to other littering violations. It specifically exempts balloon releases by people under 17, biodegradable balloons, indoor releases, scientific/weather balloons (by agencies/institutions), and balloons with tracking devices. The law applies to event organizers planning such releases but does not affect typical balloon use or accidental releases. This amendment to Louisiana's littering statute clarifies penalties for mass balloon releases while allowing for common exceptions.

Maddy summaryHB 613 requires Louisiana's Department of Public Safety and Corrections (Motor Vehicles office) to add an eagle symbol on driver's licenses and state ID cards for applicants whose U.S. citizenship has been verified. This applies only to verified citizens and does not change eligibility for licenses. The bill mandates that the eagle symbol be included on all new cards or during future system upgrades if current technology cannot accommodate it. It also requires the agency to create rules for the symbol's design and placement. The bill does not affect non-citizens or change citizenship verification processes.