Rep. Kim Carver

Maddy summaryHR 296 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) passed by Louisiana's House of Representatives to commemorate St. Patrick's Day. It formally recognizes Louisiana's historical Irish cultural ties, including the 1806 St. Patrick's Day celebration in New Orleans and Irish immigrants' role in building the New Basin Canal (1832-1838). The resolution also acknowledges the American Irish State Legislators Caucus, which fosters U.S.-Ireland relations. As a non-binding commemoration, it does not create new policies or affect any specific group legally.

Maddy summaryHB 519 amends the citation process for a second violation of laws prohibiting wireless device use while driving. It specifically changes how law enforcement issues citations for a "secondary offense" (a second time caught using a device like a phone while driving). The bill updates the language in the law to clarify that a citation can be issued upon a second violation. This directly affects drivers who repeatedly use wireless devices while operating a motor vehicle. The changes apply to the existing law, not the core prohibition.

Maddy summaryHB 531 requires the attorney general to coordinate sexual assault nurse examiner services statewide, with a specific focus on improving access in rural areas. This bill directly affects sexual assault survivors, particularly those in underserved rural communities, by aiming to ensure consistent access to specialized forensic medical examinations. The key provision establishes a statewide coordination system funded through legislative grants or appropriations, directing the attorney general to manage this effort under new statutory language. The bill does not create new services but aims to better organize existing nurse examiner programs across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 357 requires health insurance plans to cover integrative cancer treatments like acupuncture, directly affecting cancer patients seeking these services and health insurance issuers. The bill limits coverage for acupuncture treatment during active cancer care to fifteen visits per year, unless additional treatments are recommended by nationally recognized cancer guidelines and the treating physician. It also modifies prior authorization requirements by adding "prior authorization" to the list of coverage conditions. This bill is currently under review by the Committee on Appropriations after passing the Insurance Committee with amendments.

Maddy summarySB 81 requires Louisiana public schools to provide parents with free access to instructional materials, including online resources and printed copies upon request. Schools must establish reasonable in-person viewing hours and may charge only reasonable fees for physical copies made using school equipment - no fees apply for online access or in-person viewing without copies. The bill limits free access to curricula adopted under state law and allows in-person viewing of nonsecure tests, but not digital copies of assessments. School boards must submit their access policies to the state education department by March 2026, with reports to the legislature on compliance. This directly affects parents of students in Louisiana public schools and school districts implementing these policies.

Maddy summaryHB 261 amends criminal code provisions related to the unlawful use of unmanned aircraft systems (drones). It makes technical changes to section references (updating "(F)" to "(G)") and clarifies that certain prohibitions apply beyond limited circumstances by removing the word "only" from one provision. The bill directly affects individuals who operate drones in ways that violate these amended criminal code sections. These changes are procedural updates to existing law, not new policy. The bill passed committee and advanced to third reading in the 2025 legislative session.

Maddy summaryHB 291 shortens the statute of limitations for wrongful death and survival claims related to medical malpractice. Specifically, it sets a one-year deadline from the date of death to file such claims, replacing the previous standard timeframe. This change directly affects families seeking legal recourse after a death caused by medical negligence. The bill modifies the legal process by establishing a fixed, shorter window for filing these specific claims. The amendment was recently passed to third reading in the legislative process.

Maddy summaryHB 72 modifies Louisiana's statute of limitations for certain debts owed to educational or charitable entities. It sets a 30-year limit for lawsuits over debts like student loans, stipends, or benefits due to charitable institutions or funds (excluding federal student loans), and a 10-year limit for non-student-loan debts owed to public universities. All claims must be documented in writing to be enforceable. The bill applies retroactively to existing debts but does not revive claims already resolved before its effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 273 establishes the official state children's Christmas book, designating a specific title as a state symbol. The bill’s amendments (Amendment No. 1 and 2) corrected minor drafting errors, such as removing unnecessary "the" before "Cajun" in the text. This is a symbolic procedural bill with no substantive policy changes or direct impact on residents or state programs. It focuses solely on naming a children’s Christmas book for official recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 60 amends Louisiana law to authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs to operate and maintain healthcare facilities specifically for war veterans with psychiatric or geriatric conditions, as well as other veterans and nonveterans meeting federal eligibility under Title 38 of the U.S. Code. It defines "war veterans" as those honorably discharged after serving during U.S. wartime periods (including Korean Conflict, Vietnam era, and post-January 1955 service). The bill also expands access to include National Guard or reservists not activated under federal duty (Title 10). This legislation directly affects Louisiana war veterans and eligible nonveterans seeking specialized healthcare services through state-operated facilities.