Rep. Kim Carver

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 summaryHB 242 establishes specific rules for deputy constables in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. It allows each elected constable to appoint one deputy, requiring the deputy to meet the same training and qualifications as a constable (but only needing to reside in St. Tammany Parish, not their specific ward). The bill mandates that deputies file their oath with the attorney general within 72 hours and clarifies they cannot receive compensation from local governments or the state - only from the constable’s office fees. It also gives constables authority to set deputy pay from their office’s generated fees.

Maddy summarySB 310, the "Signs of Hope Act," requires all public high school and college/university student health centers in Louisiana to display specific signs about pregnancy resources. The signs must read "Pregnant? Help Is Available for You and Your Baby!" with a website link to Louisiana Department of Health pregnancy resources, measure at least 16x20 inches, use large readable text, and include color graphics. These signs must be placed in patient admission areas, waiting rooms, and consultation rooms by health center staff. The Louisiana Department of Health designs the signs but may accept donated signs or use donated funds to cover costs, without requiring state funds.

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 285 allows Louisiana high school boards to partner with credit unions to operate on-site branches at high schools. The bill requires these branches to be integrated into the state-mandated financial literacy course (R.S. 17:270), giving students hands-on experience managing personal finances. School boards must establish rules for outside use of buildings, including fees, under this new partnership framework. The policy directly affects high school students, school boards, and credit unions by embedding practical financial education into existing coursework.

Maddy summaryHB 338 re-creates 16 regulatory boards (including the Louisiana Real Estate Commission and Cosmetology Board) that were previously transferred to the governor's office, effective June 30, 2026. These agencies will automatically terminate on July 1, 2033, unless renewed under existing law before that date. The bill amends Louisiana's sunset law to set this specific termination date for these entities, replacing prior sunset provisions. It directly affects the operations of these boards, which regulate professions like real estate, cosmetology, and motor vehicles. The law ensures these agencies continue functioning until 2033 without requiring annual legislative approval.

Maddy summaryHB 413 prohibits Louisiana auto insurers from using rating factors in their rate filings that are based solely on losses from natural disasters or catastrophes affecting other insurance lines (like property insurance). This directly affects auto insurance customers and insurers in Louisiana by preventing rate increases tied to events like hurricanes that only impacted other policies. The bill allows insurers to use such factors only in multi-line policies covering both auto and other insurance types. The law takes effect on January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 268 requires Louisiana public schools to provide career exposure activities for students in grades 6-8, mandating at least six activities annually per grade level. Three of these activities must align with high-demand Louisiana jobs (via Louisiana Works), involve employer interaction, link to career pathways, or offer work-based learning. It also requires schools to provide at least one career awareness activity for K-5 students before fifth grade and document at least one activity per student in their Individualized Graduation Plan. School boards must annually certify compliance to the state Department of Education and maintain records of these activities.