Rep. Alonzo Knox

Maddy summaryHB 541 would create a state registry for individuals and entities that provide caregiving services to referred individuals. The bill establishes a new code section (40:2120.8) requiring these caregivers to be listed in the registry, primarily affecting those offering direct care services. This registry would serve as a centralized database for tracking caregiving providers, with no significant fiscal impact expected. The bill focuses on administrative tracking rather than changing healthcare access or funding.

Maddy summarySB 61 requires insurers to provide consumers with a copy of the specific credit information they used when underwriting or setting rates for personal insurance policies (like auto or home insurance). This directly affects policyholders who apply for or renew personal insurance, giving them transparency into the credit data influencing their premiums. The key provision mandates that insurers must disclose this credit information upon initial application or renewal, rather than keeping it confidential. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate but does not change how credit data is used in rate calculations, only requiring disclosure to consumers.

Maddy summaryHB 356 creates the "Stated Value Homeowner's Policy Act," allowing insurers to offer a new type of homeowner's insurance policy. This policy would cover a home's actual value at the time of loss (rather than replacement cost), directly affecting homeowners who choose this option and insurers who provide it. The bill modifies existing language to clarify that any insurer offering this specific policy option must follow defined requirements. The key change is making the insurer's obligation to provide this option discretionary ("may" instead of "shall"), giving insurers flexibility in offering the policy.

Maddy summarySB 123 creates an income tax credit for Louisiana taxpayers who donate to public schools rated "D" or "F" in the previous year's accountability system. The credit covers 95% of the donation amount, which schools must use for specific educational needs like classroom materials, tutoring programs, child care, or health clinics. Schools must provide a receipt showing the donation amount and their grade, and the total credit value cannot exceed $10 million annually, issued on a first-come, first-served basis. This policy applies to donations made for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond, starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 327 requires Louisiana public and nonpublic schools to use a standardized 10-point grading scale (e.g., A=90-100, B=80-89) when calculating the minimum GPA needed for students to qualify for the TOPS scholarship program. This change applies to grades submitted for graduation in the 2024-2025 school year and beyond, directly affecting students seeking TOPS eligibility. Schools must resubmit recertified grades using this scale by August 31, 2025, for students graduating in 2024-2025. The bill takes effect for the 2024-2025 school year, aiming to standardize GPA calculations across all participating schools.

Maddy summaryHB 479 requires the state to create a new victim and witness notification system that integrates with the existing criminal justice information system. It directly affects victims of violent crime by guaranteeing their right to receive a free copy of their initial police report under state law. Key provisions include building this system in coordination with the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board and ensuring all components meet specific legal standards. The bill also explicitly adds the free police report access as a standard right for violent crime victims. This focuses on improving access to case information for affected individuals.

Maddy summaryHB 5 amends Louisiana law to increase penalties for sex offenses involving minors. It creates two sentencing tiers based on the victim’s age: offenders targeting individuals under 18 face minimum 15-year prison terms (without parole) and fines of $3,000-$50,000, while those involving victims under 14 face minimum 25-year terms and fines of $5,000-$75,000. The bill applies specifically to offenses like soliciting, promoting, or enticing minors into prostitution, with all fines partially funding victim services. Key provisions include mandatory minimum sentences and higher penalties for younger victims, as outlined in amendments to existing statutes.

Maddy summarySB 120 amends Louisiana law to require mental health facilities to include specific language in emergency admission certificates. The bill mandates that certificates state whether a person is unwilling or unable to seek voluntary admission, or willing to seek it upon arrival at the treatment facility. This change directly affects mental health facilities and patients during emergency admissions, ensuring clearer documentation of patient status. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate (38-0) and is now moving to the House for consideration.

Maddy summarySB 182 allows Louisiana's Department of Health to temporarily suspend Medicaid prior authorization and other utilization management requirements during a declared emergency. This applies broadly to all Medicaid recipients for essential healthcare services, removing prior restrictions that specifically mentioned cancer treatment or oncology care. The bill's key mechanism gives the Department authority to ensure uninterrupted access to medical services when emergencies like natural disasters or public health crises occur. It affects all Medicaid beneficiaries in Louisiana by streamlining access to necessary care during emergencies. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and is now pending in the House.

Maddy summarySB 153 creates limited scope licenses for certain mental health professionals providing Community Psychiatric Support Team (CPST) services under Louisiana's Medicaid program. It allows provisional license holders (like counselors, marriage and family therapists, and certified social workers) who have provided CPST services to obtain a limited license specifically for those services, bypassing full licensure requirements. The bill updates Medicaid reimbursement rules to require all CPST service providers to have staff meeting specific licensing criteria, including those with the new limited licenses. This directly affects Medicaid-funded behavioral health providers and professionals seeking to work in community psychiatric support roles. The changes aim to expand access to these services while maintaining oversight through defined licensing pathways.