Rep. Alonzo Knox

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 363) is a technical amendment to correct the reference to an existing statute (R.S. 14:93.4) within the criminal code regarding cruelty and exploitation of the elderly. It does not create new laws or change policy; it only updates the statute citation to match the correct reference. The bill directly affects legal references used by courts and law enforcement in cases involving elder abuse. It is procedural in nature, with no substantive changes to the law governing elder exploitation.

Maddy summaryHB 584 is a technical amendment to Louisiana law regarding the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program. It updates legal references by removing outdated statutory citations (R.S. 15:827.3(A)(2)(a)) and changing a percentage threshold from "Two" to "Fifteen" in the program's eligibility rules. The bill does not create new program requirements but adjusts how the program is referenced in state law. This amendment was passed by the legislature in May 2025 and affects the administrative framework of the existing youth pilot program.

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 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.

Maddy summaryHB 96 updates Louisiana law to include the U.S. Space Force as part of the defined "U.S. Armed Forces" in specific statutes. It amends references in Louisiana Revised Statutes 14:34.1(B) and 14:34.7(B) to add the Space Force to existing military definitions. This change directly affects state laws that reference "Armed Forces," ensuring consistency with the federal establishment of the Space Force as a separate military branch. The bill makes no new policy changes but aligns Louisiana’s legal language with current federal military structure.

Maddy summaryHB 202 requires Louisiana public colleges and universities to offer students a voluntary privacy waiver form. This form allows students to authorize their institution to share specific mental health crisis information - such as the nature of the crisis, actions taken (e.g., counseling referrals), and follow-up care recommendations - with designated contacts (like parents or guardians) during a mental health emergency where the student poses a risk to themselves or others. The waiver explicitly states that specific diagnoses or treatment details will not be shared without additional authorization, and students can revoke consent in writing at any time. The policy applies directly to all students at Louisiana’s public postsecondary institutions and their chosen contacts, while maintaining compliance with federal and state privacy laws.

Maddy summaryHB 298 requires the lessee of the Convention Center Headquarters Hotel Project (a new hotel connected to New Orleans' convention center) to pay annual "payments in lieu of taxes" based on a calculated rate. These payments start at 45% of a defined base rate in the first year after opening, increasing to 65% in year two, 85% in year three, and 100% in year four and beyond. The bill also mandates similar tax payment requirements for other private-public developments on authority-owned land, ensuring private entities pay either ad valorem taxes on improvements or equivalent annual payments calculated using local tax rates and property values.

Maddy summaryHCR 37 establishes the Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Task Force within the state's higher education system. The task force will develop strategies to prevent hazing at colleges and universities, directly affecting public and private higher education institutions. The resolution names the task force after Caleb Wilson, honoring his memory, though the bill does not detail specific prevention methods or funding mechanisms. This is a procedural resolution creating a new body, not a law imposing new requirements.

Maddy summarySB 9 expands restrictions on drone use by adding federal and state military installations and facilities to the list of locations where unmanned aircraft systems (drones) are prohibited. This directly affects drone operators, including hobbyists and commercial users, who would now be barred from flying drones near military bases and related facilities. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include these sites in the prohibited zones, updating the legal definition without changing penalty terms. The measure passed unanimously in the Senate and is now moving to the House for further consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 292 amends Louisiana's criminal procedure code to require written jury polling in all criminal cases. It directly affects defendants, prosecutors, judges, and jurors by mandating that courts poll juries in writing - using slips where jurors confirm "Yes" or "No" to the verdict when a verdict is reached, or state their actual verdict ("guilty," "not guilty," etc.) when no verdict was reached. Key provisions include requiring written confirmation for all verdicts, allowing courts to seal polling slips to protect juror privacy, and specifying that sealed slips require court authorization for public release. The bill aims to clarify and standardize jury confirmation procedures while safeguarding juror anonymity.