Sen. Valarie Hodges

Maddy summarySB 82 would require Louisiana public schools to operate a mandatory five-day school week, affecting all public school districts in the state. Exceptions allow districts with an "A" performance rating from the state education department or those already using a four-day week by December 31, 2025, to continue their current schedule. The bill does not change the required school year length but specifies the minimum weekly schedule. This legislation is pending and would take effect after the governor signs it or if the legislature overrides a veto.

Maddy summaryHB 192 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit foreign adversaries or their agents from expropriating (taking or damaging) private property in Louisiana. It would amend the state constitution to explicitly ban such actions by foreign adversaries, while maintaining existing requirements for just compensation and judicial review of property takings for public purposes. The amendment directly affects property owners by adding a new legal barrier against foreign entities seeking to seize their land or assets. If approved by voters in the November 2026 election, it would become part of Louisiana's Constitution, changing the legal standard for property rights. The bill does not create new government powers but restricts private entities acting as foreign adversaries.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors to rename the LSU Gymnastics Training Center in honor of legendary coach Sara "D-D" Breaux. The bill highlights her four-decade career, during which she transformed the program from a struggling unit into a national powerhouse and built a world-class facility. By formally requesting this name change, the legislature aims to create a permanent tribute to her leadership and legacy within the university community.

Maddy summarySB 404 is a technical amendment bill that makes minor corrections to the text of an existing eye care law. The bill does not introduce new policies or programs but instead fixes specific wording errors in the statute to ensure legal clarity. These changes include correcting pronoun references, removing incomplete sentences, and updating terminology from "agreeance" to "agreement." The legislation directly affects eye care providers by refining the language of regulations they must follow, though it does not alter their obligations or rights.

Maddy summarySB 32 establishes the Perinatal Bereavement Care Initiative within Louisiana's Department of Health to improve support for families experiencing pregnancy loss or infant death. The bill requires hospitals providing maternity care to receive staff training on supporting grieving parents, access to bereavement resources (like counseling referrals), and perinatal bereavement devices. It prioritizes hospitals serving high-risk patients, delivering many babies, or lacking current bereavement resources. The initiative can fund these services using voluntary monies, including federal grants and donations, without imposing new taxes.

Maddy summaryHB 106 prohibits child day care centers in Louisiana from providing melatonin (a nonprescription sleep aid) to children without written consent from a parent or legal guardian. The law directly affects day care centers and parents/guardians, requiring centers to obtain explicit permission before administering melatonin. Violations carry penalties of up to $1,000 in fines, six months in jail, or both. The bill specifically targets melatonin use in day care settings, not all nonprescription medications. It is currently pending before the Administration of Criminal Justice Committee.

Maddy summarySB 93 establishes minimum bail amounts for two specific offenses under Louisiana law: $50,000 for possession of child sexual abuse materials (R.S. 14:81.1) and $100,000 for production of such materials. This bill directly affects defendants charged with these offenses and Louisiana district courts, which must set bail at or above these minimums. The key provision requires courts using a bail schedule to enforce these fixed minimums, though judges may adjust bail higher for "good cause" under limited circumstances, such as rearrest on new charges.

Maddy summarySB 241 requires insurance adjusters, public adjusters, insurance appraisers, and contractors licensed in Louisiana to include their valid license number in every business-related written message, including emails and other electronic communications. This applies to all written materials sent as part of their professional work. The bill directly affects these licensed professionals by mandating clear identification of their credentials in all client and business interactions. The requirement aims to increase transparency and accountability for these service providers.

Maddy summarySB 306 creates a new criminal offense in Louisiana for obstructing freedom of worship at churches or other places of worship. It prohibits specific actions including using force to intimidate attendees, damaging church property, blocking lawful access to the building, or engaging in disruptive activities during scheduled worship services. Violations carry fines up to $25,000 and imprisonment up to 18 months for repeat offenses, with enhanced penalties if bodily injury occurs. The law directly affects individuals who interfere with religious gatherings on private religious property, aiming to protect the orderly conduct of worship as defined by the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 635 creates new Louisiana laws to protect residents from foreign agents who attempt to control their behavior using foreign laws or threats. It defines "agents of foreign adversaries" (like government-linked entities) and "transnational repression" (such as coercion or retaliation for exercising free speech, religion, or assembly rights). The bill makes it a crime for these agents to coerce people into actions violating constitutional rights or retaliate for such actions, imposing enhanced penalties on top of the underlying offense. It also declares that courts cannot enforce foreign law decisions that deny constitutional rights protected under U.S. or Louisiana law.