Sen. Cleo Fields

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the role of the state child ombudsman by clarifying that they cannot access the names or identifying details of individuals who report child abuse, with specific exceptions for cases involving federal child support laws. It also introduces a new internal review process requiring a second level of approval within the department whenever an initial investigation into abuse allegations is deemed inconclusive. These changes aim to protect reporter privacy while adding an extra step to ensure thoroughness when abuse reports are not definitively resolved.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes the Louisiana State Archives by officially renaming it the Division of Archives, Records Management, and History and placing it under the direct oversight of the Secretary of State. It establishes clear definitions for key terms like "records" and "vital records" while granting the Secretary of State the authority to create policies for managing, preserving, and disposing of government documents across all state and local agencies. The legislation also empowers the Secretary to inspect agency records management practices and requires the creation of schedules that dictate how long specific records must be kept before they can be destroyed or transferred to storage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Community Air Monitoring and Notification Task Force to study the feasibility and impact of real-time air quality monitoring systems in Louisiana. The task force will include representatives from state agencies, legislative committees, and environmental organizations to examine the costs, benefits, and legal changes needed for such systems. Its primary focus is on communities disproportionately affected by air pollution, and it will specifically analyze how these systems could alert residents and emergency responders to air quality threats. The group is required to submit a detailed report with findings and recommendations to the legislature by February 15, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution urges Governor Jeffrey M. Landry to apply for federal funding to implement the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program in Louisiana. The bill seeks to provide eligible low-income families with pre-loaded cards offering $40 per month per child to purchase groceries during summer breaks when school meals are unavailable. While the resolution does not directly change the law, it highlights that over forty other states have already accepted this funding to help close the summer hunger gap. The text notes that the state previously declined similar federal funding for summer meals, and this measure encourages the administration to reverse that decision to support child nutrition.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the formal condolences of the Louisiana Senate to the family of Adrienne Patrice Anderson Savoy, who passed away in May 2024. The document honors her life by detailing her background, including her education, family roles, and long-standing involvement in her church community. It also lists her surviving relatives and those who predeceased her to acknowledge the impact of her loss. Finally, the Senate directs that a copy of this resolution be sent to her family as a gesture of respect.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the legal timeline for filing lawsuits related to the abuse of minors by removing references to a previous 2021 law. The primary change involves deleting specific citations from the text, which effectively updates how the statute is referenced without altering the core prescriptive period itself. By streamlining the legal language, the bill ensures the current rules for these cases remain clear and consistent with existing statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commendation resolution that recognizes the Catholic High School baseball team for winning the 2024 LHSAA Division I Select State Championship. It highlights specific achievements, including the team's sixth state title, William Schmidt's Most Valuable Player award, and Coach Brad Bass's leadership in achieving a 38-2 season record. The resolution formally congratulates the players and staff while expressing well wishes for their future success. As a procedural measure, it does not change laws or allocate funds but serves to publicly honor the team's accomplishment.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution formally congratulates the 2024 graduates of the Louisiana Leadership Institute for their academic success and leadership development. The bill recognizes the institute's mission to provide educational and cultural programs to students in the Greater Baton Rouge area, highlighting specific activities like robotics, public speaking, and community service. It also honors several former graduates who attended prestigious universities and lists the names of the current graduating class. Ultimately, the resolution serves as an official commendation from the Louisiana Senate to these students and their organization.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that formally expresses the condolences of the Louisiana State Senate to the family of Avis Delores Baker White, who passed away in May 2024. The document honors her life by highlighting her achievements as a teacher, her leadership roles in education and community organizations, and her long-standing residence in Baton Rouge. It concludes by directing a copy of the resolution to be sent to her family as a gesture of respect.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks state departments to actively seek money from state budgets, federal sources, or grants to implement laws that have been passed but lack funding. State agencies are instructed to identify these unfunded programs and submit detailed reports to the legislature by January 1, 2025, listing the specific policies, requested amounts, and any recommendations for changes. The measure targets executive branch departments, urging them to take the initiative to secure necessary resources for initiatives like school meal programs and health insurance coverage that were previously enacted without appropriation.