Maddy summarySB 43 establishes Louisiana's Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Program within the Department of Health to fund clinical studies using psychedelic medications (like psilocybin) for treating opioid use disorders, co-occurring substance use disorders, and treatment-resistant mental health conditions. The program requires academic health centers to meet strict federal and state compliance standards - including FDA approval, safety protocols, and therapist qualifications - to conduct these studies. Eligible patients, including those with the specified conditions, may participate, and parishes can use opioid settlement funds to enroll residents. The bill mandates annual progress reports from participating centers and requires coordination with other states conducting similar research. This is a research-focused program, not a policy allowing general therapeutic use.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 782 regulates vapor products and alternative nicotine products in Louisiana by establishing new definitions, increasing permit fees, and adding enforcement mechanisms. It requires retail businesses selling these products to obtain permits (increasing annual fees from $25 to $100 for retailers), mandates wholesale dealers to verify retailers have valid permits, and prohibits remote sales. Violations can result in fines up to $4,000 for repeat offenses, and unpermitted products may be seized and forfeited. The bill directly affects retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers operating in this market within Louisiana.
Maddy summaryHB 431 requires mayors and governing authorities in Louisiana municipalities with 15,000 or fewer residents (per the latest federal census) to complete 16 hours annually of state-approved training. The training covers specific topics like ethics, harassment prevention, cybersecurity, procurement, and emergency preparedness, organized into 13 categories by the Louisiana Municipal Association. Compliance will be verified through annual attestation included with municipal financial reports and publicly listed by the legislative auditor. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and applies to elected officials but not temporary appointees serving less than one year.
Maddy summaryHB 1194 amends the Healthy Food Retail Act to require the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center to work with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. This collaboration aims to gather data, conduct research, and share technical information to identify and map food deserts across the state. The bill directly affects these two state agencies by mandating their joint efforts to address food access issues. It does not create new funding or alter existing programs but focuses on improving data collection regarding where residents lack access to healthy food options.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases survivor benefits for families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who die while performing their official duties. It establishes a base payment of $350,000 to the surviving spouse, or to the children or estate if no spouse exists, with an additional $50,000 for each dependent child. The law requires officers and firefighters to complete beneficiary designation forms and specifies that payments come from the state's Self-Insurance Fund. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to deaths resulting from injuries sustained while protecting life and property during official activities.
Maddy summaryHB 950 requires Louisiana's Office of Elderly Affairs to create and distribute free educational materials focused on financial protection for residents aged 60 and older. The program provides practical guidance on managing pensions, recognizing scams, avoiding exploitation, optimizing retirement income, and understanding common financial products marketed to seniors. Materials will be available in an easy-to-read format on a dedicated mobile-friendly website and through other accessible channels. This bill directly affects Louisiana seniors and their caregivers by offering tools to make informed financial decisions and reduce vulnerability to fraud or poor financial management.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Louisiana laws to increase penalties for hit-and-run driving when the accident results in death or serious injury. It specifically targets drivers who flee the scene after causing harm, with stricter sentences applied if the victim is a pedestrian or bicyclist. Under the new provisions, offenders face longer prison terms that must be served without parole, probation, or suspension of sentence, particularly if the driver has a prior record of drunk driving or vehicular homicide. The legislation also establishes that drivers who previously committed certain traffic offenses will receive even harsher mandatory minimum sentences for repeat hit-and-run incidents.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Louisiana Medicaid to cover FDA-approved weight loss medications for eligible adults over eighteen. To qualify, patients must have a BMI of 30 or higher with at least one related health condition like diabetes or hypertension, or a BMI of 35 or higher without additional conditions. Coverage will require prior authorization limited to verifying these eligibility criteria, with initial approval for six months and continued coverage depending on documented clinical improvement. The bill also prohibits step therapy requirements for these medications and mandates that the Department of Health implement the coverage while maintaining fiscal sustainability.
Maddy summarySB 42 amends Louisiana law to explicitly prohibit using artificial intelligence to create child sexual abuse materials, directly affecting individuals or entities generating such content through AI. The bill updates definitions to include "digitally generated, including by artificial intelligence" under "child sexual abuse materials" and expands "produce" to cover causing AI-generated content. It makes it illegal to create, distribute, or solicit child sexual abuse materials using AI tools, aligning with existing prohibitions on physical or non-AI generated materials. The law applies to all such content involving children under 17, treating AI-generated depictions as equally prohibited as traditional media. This is a substantive policy change adding AI to existing legal frameworks without altering enforcement mechanisms.
Maddy summaryHB 457 establishes minimum housing standards for emergency shelters, community facilities, group homes, and halfway houses serving individuals experiencing homelessness in Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Health must create rules covering safety, sanitation, privacy, and habitability for these facilities, in consultation with the state fire marshal. The fire marshal will conduct annual inspections to ensure these housing options meet safety and sanitation standards. Additionally, the Department of Health must seek federal waivers to secure healthcare funding for homeless individuals receiving these services. The bill directly affects homeless service providers and the housing conditions they offer.