Rep. Candace Newell

Maddy summaryHB 402 adds a new income tax deduction for veterans with service-connected disabilities, as defined under existing law (R.S. 47:297.26). This deduction directly affects qualifying veterans by reducing their taxable income, with an estimated fiscal impact of $11.3 million in state general fund revenue. The bill amends the tax code to include this deduction within Section 47:293(9)(a)(xxvii), replacing outdated references to other sections. The change provides a concrete tax benefit for veterans meeting specific disability criteria established by current law.

Maddy summarySB 58 creates a new criminal offense in Louisiana law called "child grooming" (defined under R.S. 14:81.7), making it illegal to commit or attempt to commit acts intended to build a relationship with a minor for sexual purposes. This bill directly affects individuals who engage in such grooming behavior and law enforcement handling related cases. The key provision adds "child grooming" as a specific sexual offense against minors under Louisiana law (R.S. 15:541(25)(o)), and also treats equivalent crimes committed in other jurisdictions as if they occurred in Louisiana (R.S. 15:541(25)(p)). The bill amends existing criminal codes to formally define and criminalize this conduct.

Maddy summaryHB 373 requires the Workforce Investment Council to annually analyze the return on investment for industry-based credentials earned by high school students. It mandates collecting and sharing student data - including social security numbers - with the Council to evaluate these credentials' effectiveness in preparing students for careers. The bill directly affects high school students pursuing industry certifications and the Workforce Investment Council, which must use the data to assess program value. Key provisions include standardized data collection, annual reporting, and specific sharing protocols for student information. The bill aims to inform policy decisions about high school career pathways without specifying fiscal impacts.

Maddy summarySB 156, titled "HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: Provides for in vitro fertilization," establishes a legal framework for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. The bill directly affects individuals seeking IVF services and healthcare providers offering these treatments by creating clear regulatory standards. While the provided text shows minor editorial amendments (correcting "invitro" to "in vitro" and punctuation), the bill's core purpose is to define legal parameters for IVF, though specific provisions like patient rights or provider requirements are not detailed in the excerpt. It passed the Senate with amendments and is now moving to the House for consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 468 amends Louisiana Revised Statute 36:784 by adding a new subsection (A) related to the Civilian Honor Medal Program for veterans. This is a procedural bill that modifies an existing code section without introducing new benefits, eligibility criteria, or funding. The bill does not directly affect veterans or programs beyond a technical reference update. It has advanced through committee and is now at third reading in the legislature. (Note: The context does not specify the exact nature of the amendment to subsection (A).)

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 510 authorizes the town of Golden Meadow in Lafourche Parish to establish designated pathways for golf carts and low-speed vehicles along specific state highways. This bill directly affects residents and visitors in Golden Meadow who use such vehicles for local travel. The key provision excludes Louisiana Highway 3235 from these designations, as specified in the bill's amendment. It does not create new statewide rules but allows a local municipality to manage vehicle access on certain roadways.

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 355 amends Louisiana's government ethics code to specifically allow former sexual assault nurse examiners to continue providing services to their former public employers on a contractual basis after leaving government jobs. The bill creates a targeted exception to standard post-employment restrictions, directly affecting sexual assault nurse examiners who transition from public healthcare roles. This change enables these professionals to maintain contractual relationships with their previous employers without violating ethics rules, focusing solely on their specific role in sexual assault care. The provision is limited to this profession and does not alter general post-employment rules for other public employees.

Maddy summarySB 67 is a procedural bill that requires courts to regularly review succession laws (such as inheritance or office succession rules). It makes a minor grammatical correction to the bill text and changes "may" to "shall" to mandate continuous review. The bill does not create new policies, affect specific groups, or change existing succession procedures. It passed the Senate unanimously with no debate or opposition. This is a technical amendment focused solely on procedural requirements for reviewing existing succession laws.