Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for joining insurance companies as defendants in civil lawsuits, primarily affecting plaintiffs, defendants, and liability insurers. It allows courts to add an insurer to a case after a verdict or settlement is reached to ensure the judgment can be enforced, provided the lawsuit falls within the policy's coverage limits and the insurer has not previously denied coverage. The legislation also establishes specific deadlines for insurers to formally notify insured individuals when they decide not to cover a claim or refuse to defend them in court. Additionally, it sets procedures for how insurers must communicate their decision to reserve rights regarding a claim, requiring written notice to the insured and the insured's legal counsel within a set timeframe before trial.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill designates the northern bascule section of the U.S. Route 11 Maestri Bridge in St. Tammany Parish as the "Jimmy Buffett 'Changes in Latitude' Memorial Crossing." It directs the Department of Transportation and Development to install and maintain signs for this designation, provided that local or private funds cover the costs of materials and installation, with a limit of $550 per sign. The signage will be placed near the bridge's service building and, if additional funding is available, on the opposite side of the pier to be visible to boats.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Advisory Council within the Louisiana Department of Health to provide guidance on issues affecting people with dementia. The council will be composed of specific members, including a representative from the home health industry with dementia experience, and the governor must appoint a caregiver for a person with Alzheimer's or related dementia to the group. The legislation also updates the council's connection to the governor's office of elderly affairs and adjusts the number of members to twenty-two. These changes aim to create a formal advisory body focused on dementia care without altering existing funding or operational procedures.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the membership and duties of the Dual Enrollment Framework Task Force, which oversees high school college credit programs. It adds a new requirement for the task force to expand virtual instruction options, aiming to increase access to dual enrollment courses across different school districts. By updating the task force's responsibilities, the legislation seeks to broaden the availability of online learning opportunities for students seeking college credits while they are still in high school.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires educational institutions and agencies offering commercial driver training to include human trafficking education in their curriculum. The training must be in place by January 1, 2025, but the specific provisions take effect earlier, on August 1, 2024. This change directly affects schools and organizations that teach driving skills to commercial vehicle operators. The legislation aims to ensure that future commercial drivers are informed about human trafficking risks as part of their standard training.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires coaches in Louisiana to complete CPR and AED training, directly affecting schools and athletic programs. However, the law includes a specific provision stating that it will not take effect unless the legislature provides funding or private donations are made to cover the training costs. This means local school districts are not immediately forced to pay for the program on their own. The measure aims to ensure safety training for coaches while preventing an unfunded financial burden on public schools.
Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution expresses the Louisiana Legislature's intent that laws regarding sexual abuse of minors should not have time limits on when victims can file lawsuits. It specifically addresses a recent court ruling that declared previous attempts to revive expired claims unconstitutional, arguing that such time limits do not create permanent rights for the accused. The bill asserts that the state has a legitimate interest in addressing child abuse by allowing victims to seek justice regardless of how much time has passed since the abuse occurred. Ultimately, it serves as a formal legislative statement supporting the removal of expiration dates for these specific legal claims.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a task force to study school start times and requires the State Department of Education to submit written reports on the findings. The task force will include representatives from various education and business organizations, with the Baton Rouge Area Chamber member serving as chair. The bill mandates that the task force and the department conduct their studies simultaneously and submit their respective reports. This measure directly affects school administrators, educators, and policymakers by creating a formal process to evaluate current start times.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to investigate creating an appeals process for high school students who fail state-mandated end-of-course exams required for graduation. The resolution instructs the board to explore various options, such as using nationally norm-referenced tests, while ensuring that any alternative pathway confirms a student's proficiency in state standards. To prevent conflicts of interest, the bill specifies that this process must be managed by an external entity, such as the state Department of Education or the school's governing authority, rather than the student's own school. The board is required to submit a written report with its findings and any legislative recommendations to the House and Senate Education Committees by March 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Education to study and provide recommendations on using automated systems to track student graduation progress. The goal is to help school districts improve timely high school graduation rates by leveraging technology to monitor credits and transcripts. The bill highlights concerns about high dropout rates and the heavy workload of school counselors, suggesting that automation could assist in these areas. It does not mandate any specific changes but instead seeks guidance to inform future policy decisions for school districts.