Rep. Candace Newell

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for barber colleges in Louisiana by setting the minimum age for student admission at sixteen, with an exception allowing high school freshmen to enroll if the college operates within a high school. It also adds a new section to allow out-of-state registered barbers to apply for a certificate to practice in Louisiana if they meet specific qualifications and pay the required fee. The legislation clarifies that these new provisions apply to both existing and future barbering regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows school principals to inform parents if their child is taught by an uncertified teacher, someone with a non-standard certificate, or a teacher authorized to teach without certification. Under the new rules, principals have the option to send these notifications rather than being strictly required to do so. The law also specifies that the notice must include details about the type of non-standard certificate held or the reason for the teacher's authorization to teach without one. This change applies directly to school administrators and families in districts where such teaching situations occur.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Louisiana public school boards to create sick leave bank programs for teachers, bus operators, and other school employees. Under the new rules, employees can donate their accumulated sick leave directly to a colleague, but they cannot donate more than half of their total leave balance at the start of the school year. Additionally, the bill mandates that at least 90 percent of the leave funds in these banks must be kept available for future use rather than being spent down each year. Local school districts are responsible for developing and managing these policies to ensure the programs function as described.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the text of an existing act related to the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana by making specific wording changes. The primary effect is to clarify the names of the retirement plans involved, ensuring the optional retirement plan and the defined benefit plan are explicitly identified. Additionally, the bill corrects a grammatical error by changing "employers" to "employer's" and adds the word "on" to two other instances within the document. These adjustments are administrative in nature and do not alter the substantive rules or funding for the retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis bill contains only technical amendments to the text of a separate cannabis regulation measure and does not establish any new policies or programs. The changes involve minor word substitutions and the addition of "Research and Extension" to the name of a university center. Because the bill itself does not create substantive rules, it directly affects only the legislative record rather than the public or specific industries.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution expresses the Louisiana Legislature's intent that laws regarding sexual abuse of minors should not have time limits on when victims can file lawsuits. It specifically addresses a recent court ruling that declared previous attempts to revive expired claims unconstitutional, arguing that such time limits do not create permanent rights for the accused. The bill asserts that the state has a legitimate interest in addressing child abuse by allowing victims to seek justice regardless of how much time has passed since the abuse occurred. Ultimately, it serves as a formal legislative statement supporting the removal of expiration dates for these specific legal claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to investigate creating an appeals process for high school students who fail state-mandated end-of-course exams required for graduation. The resolution instructs the board to explore various options, such as using nationally norm-referenced tests, while ensuring that any alternative pathway confirms a student's proficiency in state standards. To prevent conflicts of interest, the bill specifies that this process must be managed by an external entity, such as the state Department of Education or the school's governing authority, rather than the student's own school. The board is required to submit a written report with its findings and any legislative recommendations to the House and Senate Education Committees by March 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes Katherine Grinstead on the occasion of her eightieth birthday. It highlights her long-term residence in New Orleans East, her twenty-five years of service as an educator, and her personal achievements as a family member and cancer survivor. The document expresses the House's commendation and well-wishes for her continued health and prosperity.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for moving retirement service credit between different public pension systems in Louisiana. It requires that when a worker transfers, the receiving system gets the smaller of the actual money contributed or a calculated amount based on employee contributions, employer contributions, and interest. The law specifically defines how to calculate employer contributions for certain systems to ensure the transfer amount is accurate. These changes take effect on June 30, 2024, and directly impact public employees who move between covered retirement plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of United States Highway 51 in St. John the Baptist Parish as the "Arnold J. Labat Memorial Highway." The designated section runs between United States Highway 61 and Interstate 10. By officially naming this road, the legislation honors Arnold J. Labat, though it does not alter traffic rules or funding. The change is purely symbolic and applies only to the named portion of the highway within that parish.