Sen. Beth Mizell

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Wednesday, March 25, 2026, as Louisiana Community and Technical College Day at the state Capitol to honor the twelve community and technical colleges in Louisiana. The resolution formally recognizes these institutions' contributions to student education and workforce training across the state. It does not change laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the colleges' role in providing affordable education and technical training. The bill is transmitted to the president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System for official record.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate Resolution that formally recognizes and commends women who work in Louisiana's industries, with a specific focus on the chemical sector. It highlights the contributions of women in various roles such as engineering, operations, and human resources within the chemical industry, emphasizing their role in economic growth and job creation. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official acknowledgment of women's critical contributions to the state's economy, culture, and social development. A copy of the resolution will be sent to the Louisiana Chemistry Association to share this recognition with industry stakeholders.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally recognizes the history of Irish Americans and commemorates the 250th anniversary of their participation in the American Revolution. It highlights the contributions of Irish Americans as soldiers, community builders, and leaders who helped shape the United States from its founding. The resolution does not change laws or policies but serves as an official statement of appreciation for Irish American heritage and their role in American democracy.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 16, 2026, as Amite Oyster Festival Day at the Louisiana State Capitol to honor the event's 50th anniversary. It recognizes the festival's historical, cultural, and economic importance to the city of Amite and Tangipahoa Parish since it began in 1976. The resolution commends the festival's role in celebrating local heritage, supporting tourism, and fostering community pride through its various activities and traditions. No new laws or funding are created; the measure serves as a formal acknowledgment of the festival's legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that formally recognizes St. Patrick's Day and acknowledges the historical and cultural connections between Ireland and Louisiana. It highlights the significant role Irish immigrants played in Louisiana's development, particularly in New Orleans, and celebrates the establishment of the American Irish State Legislators Caucus. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official statement of appreciation and recognition to be shared with state and national Irish leaders.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution commends James C. Walsh for being named the 2026 Hibernian of the Year in Louisiana by the Ancient Order of Hibernians. The resolution recognizes his achievements in sports and entertainment law, his work managing prominent athletes like Joe Namath and Andy Kaufman, and his contributions to the community. It serves as a formal acknowledgment of his career and personal accomplishments rather than enacting new policy or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Wednesday, March 11, 2026, as Funeral Directors Day at the Louisiana State Capitol to honor funeral directors and morticians. It recognizes the National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day and expresses appreciation for the work these professionals do in supporting grieving families. The resolution does not change laws or policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the contributions of funeral service workers in Louisiana.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Louisiana education laws to clarify and strengthen parental rights to choose religious education for their children. It directly affects parents, private religious schools, and state and local government agencies that oversee education. The key provision ensures that government agencies cannot impose restrictions on religious schools that are more severe than those applied to secular businesses or public schools. It also defines various types of religious educational institutions and confirms that existing religious freedom protections apply to all government educational agencies. The legislation codifies previous court rulings and federal constitutional protections regarding parental control over religious education.

Maddy summarySB 329 updates Louisiana's child abuse and neglect reporting system by requiring mandatory reporters (such as teachers, childcare staff, and healthcare providers) to immediately report suspected cases via a statewide hotline or online portal, with written follow-up within five days. The bill mandates schools to report alleged abuse to parents and law enforcement, requires physicians to test newborns for prenatal drug exposure without parental consent (reporting positive results), and establishes a dedicated DCFS liaison for child fatalities and near fatalities. It also adds requirements for film processors to report suspected child sexual abuse materials to law enforcement immediately and details specific reporting procedures for different settings. These changes aim to streamline reporting, improve response coordination, and enhance data management for child welfare cases.

Maddy summarySB 361 (Louisiana Civil Code Art. 2315.14) limits general damages in personal injury lawsuits to $500,000 per claim, unless exceptions apply. It increases the cap to $1 million for claims involving permanent mental injuries that severely impact employment or daily living. Exceptions allow higher awards for severe physical injuries (like disfigurement, loss of limb, or loss of independent self-care) or when a defendant acted intentionally or maliciously. This bill directly affects personal injury claimants and defendants in Louisiana civil courts by setting fixed damage limits with specific legal exceptions.