Sen. Valarie Hodges

Maddy summaryHB 584 requires Louisiana's local social services districts to provide foster children aged 14-18 with durable, reusable luggage (such as backpacks, boxes, or suitcases) instead of garbage bags when they move between foster homes. This policy change directly affects youth in foster care by ensuring their belongings are transported safely and with dignity. The bill explicitly prohibits the use of garbage bags for this purpose and defines the responsibility of social services districts to provide the required luggage. It amends Louisiana law to guarantee this specific right for older foster youth during placement transitions.

Maddy summaryHB 476 requires all public secondary schools (grades 6-12) in Louisiana to display flyers about the Safe Haven Law inside bathroom stall doors. The flyers, created by the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, must summarize the law (including how children can be legally surrendered), include the department’s website URL, a QR code, contact information, and the Safe Haven Law logo. Charter schools are exempt from this requirement under Section 3996(B)(92). The bill mandates that schools obtain these flyers from the Department of Education and post them in specified locations.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution commends Dr. Lawrence Dewayne Hardy for his spiritual leadership, guidance, and prayers provided to legislators during the 2026 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. The bill directly affects Dr. Hardy, the senior pastor and founder of Theo House of Judah Ministries in Baton Rouge, by formally recognizing his contributions and expressing gratitude for his service to the state. It does not create new laws or change policies but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of his role in supporting lawmakers throughout the legislative session.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets specific limits on how many legislative proposals individual lawmakers can submit during a single annual session. It restricts non-committee leaders to ten prefiled bills, while committee vice chairs and chairs are allowed up to twelve and fifteen bills, respectively. The legislation also caps the number of resolutions a member can introduce at ten, excluding routine or perfunctory items. Certain essential bills, such as those for state appropriations and capital projects, are exempt from these counting limits to ensure critical funding measures can be proposed without restriction.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to review safety conditions in school zones located on state highways. The bill specifically requests an evaluation of barriers that prevent the implementation of improved safety measures and lower speed limits in these areas. It was introduced following a fatal accident involving a crossing guard, highlighting concerns about speeding vehicles and unsafe driving near schools. The measure does not mandate any immediate changes but serves as a formal request for the state agency to investigate and address potential hazards.

Maddy summarySB 194 requires Louisiana state agencies to verify the U.S. citizenship or "satisfactory immigration status" of applicants for Medicaid, SNAP, and other public benefits like housing or food assistance. If verification fails after a single reasonable opportunity period, the state must refer the applicant's information to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and terminate benefits. The bill specifies that "satisfactory immigration status" includes lawful permanent residents, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and those under Compact of Free Association agreements. Agencies must also provide monthly reports to the Secretary of State for voter list maintenance and submit annual reports to legislators on enforcement actions. This bill directly affects individuals applying for federal or state public benefits who cannot prove citizenship or qualifying immigration status.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies an existing law regarding pregnant women in custody to clarify that funding for their care can come from nonprofit organizations or federal grants. The change is a minor amendment that adds specific sources of financial support to the current legal framework. It directly affects state agencies responsible for managing the healthcare of incarcerated pregnant women. The legislation does not alter the core requirement for providing care but expands the list of permissible funding origins.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HB 1137, amends Louisiana's employment discrimination laws to protect employees from being fired or retaliated against for the misuse of pronouns. It directly affects employers and employees by prohibiting termination or other retaliatory actions when an employee is misgendered or has their pronouns used incorrectly. The key provision adds a specific prohibition to the state's existing employment discrimination statute, making it illegal for employers to take adverse employment actions based on pronoun misuse. This change expands the scope of protected employment conduct under current Louisiana law.

Maddy summarySB 72 allows Louisiana's Office of Motor Vehicles to accept electronic signatures and digital documents for vehicle title transfers, registrations, and related transactions. It directly affects vehicle owners, dealers, and title agents by permitting electronic submission instead of paper forms, provided the office has the necessary technology. Key provisions include ensuring electronic signatures have the same legal validity as handwritten ones and permitting remote online notarization for required documents. The bill does not eliminate traditional requirements like notarization but enables electronic alternatives for compliance. This change streamlines vehicle transaction processes without altering underlying legal standards.

Maddy summarySB 112 allows Louisiana public school boards to adopt policies enabling K-12 students to attend off-campus religious instruction during school hours, subject to written parental consent and specific requirements. The bill requires schools to provide parents with forms detailing liability waivers (shifting responsibility to sponsoring religious organizations for injuries during transportation or instruction) and mandates that courses last 1-5 hours weekly. It also specifies that school boards must maintain attendance records and prohibits schools from using property for such courses unless they follow neutral equal-access policies for all community groups. This legislation aligns with a 1952 U.S. Supreme Court ruling permitting parental-approved religious education outside school hours.