Sen. Beth Mizell

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 85 (SR 85) is a commemorative resolution that commends the St. Tammany Parish School System for achieving first place in the 30th Annual Elementary State Championship Fitness Meet of the Louisiana Governor's Games. It recognizes the students, faculty, coaches, and parents for their accomplishment in this statewide athletic competition.

Maddy summarySR 97 is a resolution adopted by the Louisiana Senate. It expresses sincere condolences upon the passing of James Mason Ballard Sr. and directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to his wife, Ruby Nelle Harrison Ballard.

Maddy summarySR 64 is a resolution that commends the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault (LaFASA) for its efforts to end sexual violence. It also designates Wednesday, April 30, 2025, as Denim Day at the Louisiana State Capitol to raise awareness about sexual assault and support survivors.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 55 commends the Louisiana Federation of Republican Women (LFRW) for their work as a volunteer political organization. This resolution designates April 30, 2025, as Louisiana Federation of Republican Women Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.

Maddy summarySCR 12 is a commemorative resolution that officially recognizes and celebrates St. Patrick's Day. It also acknowledges the cultural and historic ties between Ireland and Louisiana, and the establishment of the American Irish State Legislators Caucus. The resolution directs that copies be sent to the national co-chairs of the caucus.

Maddy summarySR 50 is a commemorative resolution that officially recognizes Monday, April 28, 2025, as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Day at the Louisiana State Capitol. This resolution celebrates the contributions and achievements of Louisiana's eight HBCUs.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 18 designates Monday, April 14, 2025, as Better Together-Children's Advocacy Centers and Court Appointed Special Advocate Day in Louisiana. This resolution commends the work of these organizations, their staff, and volunteers for their contributions to protecting and advocating for children and families in the state.

Maddy summarySB 152 modifies sentencing guidelines for defendants who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or human trafficking. The bill removes references to "psychological abuse" from the qualifying conditions, narrowing the scope to only these three specific victimization types. This change affects criminal sentencing decisions in cases where a defendant has experienced one of these severe crimes. The legislation streamlines the legal criteria for judges to consider when determining sentences, without creating new programs or penalties. It focuses on clarifying which victim experiences trigger special sentencing considerations under existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 5 requires Louisiana public school systems to use savings from the Teachers' Retirement System to provide permanent salary increases for teachers and other school employees starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Certificated staff, such as teachers and administrators, must receive at least a $2,000 raise, while non-certificated staff, including aides and clerical workers, must receive at least $1,000. The bill mandates that these salary increases include associated retirement costs and applies to employees on specific leaves, such as military or maternity leave, provided they remain in their approved positions. If a school district does not have enough savings to cover the full amount of these raises, the remaining cost is to be funded through the state's minimum foundation program formula. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that charter schools participating in the state retirement system must also comply with these salary increase requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the regulations governing massage therapists and massage establishments in Louisiana by clarifying key definitions and introducing new background check requirements. It explicitly defines what constitutes the practice of massage therapy, listing specific techniques allowed while excluding medical procedures like joint manipulation or electrical muscle stimulation. The legislation also establishes stricter advertising rules for businesses and mandates that all new license applicants undergo criminal history background checks through state and federal agencies. These changes aim to standardize the industry's terminology and ensure public safety by verifying the criminal records of individuals seeking licensure.