Sen. Valarie Hodges

Maddy summaryHB 352 requires Louisiana public school districts to create and publish policies enabling behavioral health services for students during school hours. It allows services in classrooms during instructional time (including core subjects) if parents provide a provider-approved evaluation and treatment plan showing medical necessity, with in-person supervision by certified behavior analysts required. The bill defines key terms like "medically necessary services" and mandates that schools collaborate with providers to schedule services without disrupting school operations or testing. It directly affects public school students needing behavioral health support, their parents, school administrators, and behavioral health providers.

Maddy summaryHB 180 establishes new definitions and rules for private entities seeking to expropriate (take) property in Louisiana. It defines "foreign adversary" as entities listed in U.S. Treasury sanctions databases and "agent of a foreign adversary" as an entity controlled by such entities (e.g., through ownership or profit-sharing). The bill directly affects private companies or organizations, particularly those linked to foreign adversaries, by requiring them to meet these definitions before proceeding with property expropriation. The key provision mandates that private entities must comply with these definitions as a prerequisite for any expropriation action, aligning Louisiana law with federal sanctions frameworks. (Based on R.S. 9:2717.1.1, prefiling stage as of 2026-02-18.)

Maddy summaryHB 401 designates the elevated section of U.S. Highway 190 over the Bogue Falaya River in Covington, St. Tammany Parish, as the "Corporal Justin D. McLeese Memorial Bridge" to honor a military corporal. The bill requires the Louisiana Department of Transportation to install signage reflecting this name, using local or private funds to cover costs up to $2,250 per sign. This is a ceremonial naming bill with no substantive policy changes, solely commemorating an individual through a public infrastructure designation.

Maddy summaryHB 690 prohibits Louisiana public school districts and education agencies from contracting with entities tied to foreign adversaries (like designated countries) or foreign terrorist organizations, including their agents or proxies. It directly affects education service providers (e.g., curriculum developers, school management firms) and vendors selling educational products to schools. Key provisions require contracts to include explicit prohibitions against such ties, mandate immediate payment suspension if violations are found, and allow due process for affected contractors. The law takes effect for new contracts starting July 1, 2026, with the attorney general overseeing debt recovery for improperly paid funds.

Maddy summaryHB 682 amends Louisiana law to allow veterans with an honorable military discharge (as defined in R.S. 13:5364) to serve as school resource officers alongside traditional peace officers. This directly affects Louisiana public schools seeking resource officers and eligible veterans who meet the military service criteria. The bill changes the legal definition of "school resource officer" to explicitly include qualified veterans, without creating new funding or mandatory requirements. It does not alter existing hiring processes but expands the pool of eligible candidates for these school safety roles. The bill is currently in the early stages of consideration after being prefaced and referred to the Education Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 816 prohibits foreign adversaries (as defined by U.S. Treasury) and entities with foreign adversary control from owning or acquiring land within 25 miles of designated Louisiana military installations. The bill directly affects foreign governments, corporations, or investment funds with foreign adversary ties seeking to purchase or lease such adjacent property. Key provisions include requiring affidavits to verify non-adversary status, imposing $50,000 civil penalties for violations, and allowing contract rescission if a foreign adversary interest is discovered. Exceptions cover U.S. citizens, legal residents, and residential properties (1-4 family homes). The law aims to protect military sites by restricting ownership near installations, with enforcement handled by the state attorney general.

Maddy summarySB 388 prohibits Louisiana state agencies from entering contracts with foreign entities designated as adversaries or terrorist organizations by the U.S. government (e.g., under federal designations like 15 C.F.R. 791.4 or 8 U.S.C. 1189). It grants the governor emergency authority to immediately cancel or suspend such contracts if they pose security risks to Louisiana, requiring consultation with homeland security and legal officials before action. The bill defines key terms like "foreign adversary" and "state contract" (covering goods, services, or technology) and allows affected parties to seek court review if they dispute cancellation decisions. This directly affects state agencies entering contracts and foreign entities linked to U.S.-designated threats.

Maddy summarySB 29 requires Louisiana coroners to perform autopsies on infants under one year and children under fifteen who die unexpectedly without explanation. The autopsies must include toxicology, microscopic exams, and review of immunization records from the state registry, with coroners documenting recent immunizations in the report. Coroner findings of sudden infant death (SIDS) or similar causes must be reported to local health units within 48 hours and to the CDC/NIH registry. Parents may object in writing to an autopsy, but coroners may override this if public health or safety requires it. The bill directly affects coroners, health departments, and the state immunization registry.

Maddy summarySB 341 creates the Louisiana Churches and Nonprofit Religious Organizations Self-Insured Fund, allowing eligible churches and nonprofits to form a shared insurance pool instead of purchasing private property insurance. It directly affects Louisiana religious organizations by enabling them to cover building damage, contents, liability, wind/hail, and loss of use through this collective fund. Key provisions require members to maintain positive net worth and financial solvency, define "property commercial coverage" to include specific protections, and direct the Louisiana State Law Institute to update related terminology. The bill establishes regulatory rules for the fund's operation under state oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 321 creates legal protections for victims of human trafficking who committed prostitution-related offenses. It establishes an affirmative defense allowing victims (both minors and adults) to avoid prosecution for crimes like prostitution (R.S. 14:82) or solicitation (R.S. 14:83) if those acts resulted directly from trafficking. The bill also presumes children engaged in prostitution are trafficking victims, exempting them from prosecution and requiring referral to specialized services for sexually exploited children. Adults determined to be trafficking victims must be notified about available support services, while children automatically qualify for existing victim assistance programs under Louisiana law.