Rep. Candace Newell

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans to include alternative imaging methods as options alongside standard mammograms. The law applies to all health coverage plans and ensures these non-mammography screening choices are available to policyholders. By mandating the inclusion of these alternatives, the legislation aims to expand the range of diagnostic tools accessible through insurance coverage. The measure was passed by the Senate and is awaiting further action in the House.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the text of legislation concerning the Faubourg Marigny Security and Improvement District in New Orleans. It makes specific, minor formatting changes to the document, such as deleting certain lines and replacing commas with semicolons in the section listing the district's powers. These adjustments do not alter the district's actual authority or responsibilities but refine how those duties are written. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has been referred to a committee for further review.

Maddy summaryHB 361 is a procedural bill that makes minor text corrections to an existing law regarding colorectal cancer screening. The legislation deletes specific punctuation marks and partial phrases from the current statute without changing its substantive requirements or impact. These small edits aim to improve the clarity and formatting of the law but do not alter how healthcare providers or patients are regulated.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the text of a law regarding mandatory reporting of child abuse by changing the word "Section" to "Article" in two specific places. These changes do not alter the actual requirements for who must report suspected abuse or how reports are handled. The legislative action is purely a technical correction to the document's structure rather than a new policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new security and improvement district called Castle Manor in New Orleans, which would cover a specific area bounded by Cerise Avenue, Chef Menteur Highway, Gawain Drive, and Dwyer Road. The district would be managed by a seven-member board of commissioners, including representatives from the local improvement association, the mayor, and state and city officials, who would oversee projects to enhance security through patrols and lighting as well as beautification efforts. To fund these activities, the city could collect annual parcel fees from property owners within the district, with amounts capped at $100 or $200 per year depending on whether the property is residential or commercial, but only after voters in the area approve the fee at an election.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows insurance companies to use satellite imagery to inspect properties that already have active insurance policies. The change permits insurers to assess the condition of the property itself rather than just the repairs, potentially using this data to evaluate risk or adjust coverage. It directly affects insurance providers and property owners by expanding the methods available for policy verification. The amendment ensures the language accurately reflects that the inspection applies to the property as a whole.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new specialty license plate in Louisiana dedicated to the Grambling State University World Famed Tiger Marching Band. The plate will be available to any Louisiana vehicle owner, including those driving cars, trucks, and motorcycles, provided there are at least 1,000 applicants. Each plate will cost an additional $25 in royalties, which must be used exclusively to support the university's marching band program, along with a small $3.50 administrative fee. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections is tasked with designing the plate in collaboration with university officials and issuing it once the necessary systems are updated.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for specific domestic violence offenses in Louisiana, particularly those involving strangulation. It directly affects individuals charged with battery against dating partners or domestic abuse battery who use strangulation or cause serious bodily injury. Under the new rules, offenders who strangle their victims face up to three years in hard labor, while those who strangle and cause serious injury must serve between five and fifty years without the possibility of probation or parole. Additionally, anyone who intentionally inflicts serious bodily injury during these crimes could face up to eight years in hard labor. These changes add mandatory prison time to existing punishments for the most severe forms of intimate partner violence.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the condolences of the Louisiana House of Representatives for the death of Tammy Janell Downs, who passed away on May 6, 2024. The document highlights her life as a mother, wife, and community member, noting her connection to Representative Pat Moore as his step-daughter. It serves as a formal acknowledgment of her loss and extends sympathy to her surviving family and friends.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commends Harlem Michael Berry for his athletic and scholastic achievements on the occasion of his seventeenth birthday. It recognizes his success as a multi-sport athlete who has led his high school to multiple state titles and his plans to attend Louisiana State University. The text serves as a formal expression of praise from the Louisiana House of Representatives and does not alter any laws or policies.