Sen. Patrick McMath

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 officially renames two specific sections of state highways in Louisiana to honor two individuals. It designates a part of Highway 175 in Mansfield as the "Jerius Marshall Highway" and a segment of Highway 133 in Start as the "Luke Letlow Memorial Highway." The legislation applies only to the named road sections within their respective parishes and does not alter any traffic laws or funding. By changing the official names of these roads, the bill serves as a commemorative measure rather than introducing new operational rules.

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 concurrent resolution from the Louisiana Legislature urges President Biden's administration to end the temporary pause on approving pending liquefied natural gas export permits. The bill highlights the state's significant economic reliance on the oil and gas industry, which contributes billions in tax revenue and supports thousands of jobs. It argues that halting these approvals could disrupt global supply chains, increase energy costs, and harm national security. The measure does not change any laws but serves as a formal request to the federal government to resume its review of LNG export projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Children's Code to clarify how academic and transitional plans are handled for children committed to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. It mandates that individualized learning plans for these minors must explicitly include vocational training options. Additionally, the law requires the department to provide a copy of the child's academic plan and progress reports to their parents or guardians upon release. The bill also establishes a requirement for the department to create a comprehensive transitional plan at least six months before a child is released, covering areas such as education, health, living arrangements, and employment.

Maddy summarySB 228 is a procedural amendment bill that modifies the text of an existing law regarding the use of marijuana for therapeutic purposes in Louisiana. The legislation does not introduce new policies or change the substance of the law but instead makes specific edits to the bill's wording by adding a subsection and removing two other subsections. These changes were adopted by the Senate and the bill is now moving to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the northern bascule section of the U.S. Route 11 Maestri Bridge in St. Tammany Parish as the "Jimmy Buffett 'Changes in Latitude' Memorial Crossing." It directs the Department of Transportation and Development to install and maintain signs for this designation, provided that local or private funds cover the costs of materials and installation, with a limit of $550 per sign. The signage will be placed near the bridge's service building and, if additional funding is available, on the opposite side of the pier to be visible to boats.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds Tianeptine to Schedule I of Louisiana's Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law. By doing so, it classifies the substance as a drug with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, making its possession, sale, and distribution illegal under state law. The change applies to Tianeptine in any form, including its salts and isomers, unless it is part of a pharmaceutical product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This legislative action directly affects individuals who manufacture, distribute, or possess the substance and law enforcement officers who enforce these regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws governing the conversion of mutual health insurance companies into stock companies or other organizational forms. It requires the insurance commissioner to conduct independent valuations and financial reviews of any proposed acquisition before a public hearing, with the results published online. The legislation also mandates that advertisements sent to policyholders must be pre-approved by the department to prevent false or misleading information. Additionally, the bill clarifies rules for how the reorganization plan must be voted on by the company's members and ensures that sensitive documents obtained during the review process are handled according to existing confidentiality laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Advisory Council within the Louisiana Department of Health to provide guidance on issues affecting people with dementia. The council will be composed of specific members, including a representative from the home health industry with dementia experience, and the governor must appoint a caregiver for a person with Alzheimer's or related dementia to the group. The legislation also updates the council's connection to the governor's office of elderly affairs and adjusts the number of members to twenty-two. These changes aim to create a formal advisory body focused on dementia care without altering existing funding or operational procedures.