Sen. Valarie Hodges

Maddy summaryHB 806, titled "Jody's Law," changes how bail is set for hit-and-run driving offenses in Louisiana. It requires courts to use specific factors from criminal procedure law instead of fixed bail amounts. The bill also mandates the Department of Public Safety to create rapid response protocols that immediately notify law enforcement about hit-and-run incidents, including details like vehicle information, injuries, and direction of travel. These protocols aim to speed up investigations and improve accountability for drivers who flee the scene. The law directly affects courts handling hit-and-run cases, law enforcement agencies, and individuals charged with such offenses.

Maddy summarySB 66 requires Louisiana courts to prioritize testimony from medical experts subpoenaed in child custody or child in need of care cases involving alleged abuse or neglect. It mandates that courts hear these medical experts before other witnesses and allows for expedited hearings to secure their testimony before granting continuances. The law applies specifically to cases under Louisiana’s Civil Code (custody) and Children’s Code (child in need of care). This changes court scheduling procedures to ensure medical evidence about potential child harm is reviewed more promptly. The bill does not alter custody standards or create new legal requirements beyond testimony prioritization.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes Lacie Thomas Fontenot for being named the 2026 Louisiana School Health Service Provider of the Year by the state Department of Education. The document highlights her role as a speech-language pathologist in Livingston Parish Public Schools and her additional community support work. It concludes by instructing the Senate to transmit a copy of this commendation to Fontenot.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Monday, April 20, 2026, as Livingston Parish Day at the Louisiana State Capitol to honor the parish's contributions and community spirit. The resolution serves as a formal recognition of the area's growth, resilience, and economic importance to the state. It does not create new laws or change government functions, but rather provides a symbolic acknowledgment to be shared with local leaders.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution formally congratulates Fernand "Ferdie" P. Genre on receiving the 2026 Bob Easterly Award from the Livingston Economic Development Council. The bill recognizes Genre's decades of service to Livingston Parish, highlighting his career as a certified public accountant and his active involvement in local community organizations. As a procedural measure, the resolution does not change any laws or policies but serves to publicly acknowledge Genre's contributions to economic development and community leadership. A copy of the resolution will be sent to Genre to confirm the state's official commendation.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to add lacrosse to the list of recognized sports alongside dance and cheer at the Louisiana High School Athletic Association. The legislation directly affects high school athletic programs in Louisiana by updating the official list of sanctioned sports. Through four specific amendments, the bill modifies existing text to include lacrosse as an official sport. This change would allow high schools to officially recognize and potentially sanction lacrosse competitions under the state's athletic association. The bill focuses on administrative recognition rather than funding or rule changes for the sport.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution expressing the Louisiana Legislature's condolences to the family of Jerry O. Arledge, a former high school football coach from West Monroe. The resolution formally acknowledges Arledge's contributions to high school athletics, noting his coaching career that included leading West Monroe High School to multiple championships and compiling a 104-22-1 record. It also records his honors from the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 2021 and directs a copy of the resolution to be sent to his wife, Sally Lytton Arledge.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Louisiana Child Welfare Death Review Panel to investigate the causes of child fatalities and unexpected deaths involving children in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services. The panel will consist of sixteen members representing various agencies, including law enforcement, healthcare, and government leadership, who will review case data to identify patterns and systemic issues. To conduct its work, the panel is granted authority to access medical records and investigation files, with strict confidentiality protections ensuring that all shared information cannot be used as evidence in court. The legislation aims to improve service delivery and prevent future tragedies by analyzing these cases to recommend necessary changes, with the program set to begin on January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state and local officials from issuing coastal use permits for new construction or development projects on Lake Maurepas. The law specifically blocks permits for building structures like piers or landfills, as well as for dredging, while still allowing exceptions for repairing existing pipelines or maintaining current infrastructure. By restricting these permits, the legislation aims to prevent additional development in the area, though it does not address the financial costs associated with enforcing these new rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Saturday, March 21, 2026, as World Down Syndrome Day at the Louisiana State Capitol. It recognizes the annual observance of this day, which honors individuals with Down syndrome and raises awareness about the condition. The resolution also commends the Down Syndrome Awareness Group and the Buddy Walk events held throughout Louisiana for their advocacy and community support efforts. This is a ceremonial measure that does not change laws or require funding, but instead acknowledges the contributions of people with Down syndrome to society.