Sen. Larry Selders

Maddy summaryHB 578 amends the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program by updating terminology to refer to "children" and "youths" instead of "juveniles" throughout the text. The bill also clarifies that the program falls under the jurisdiction of both the Department of Education and the Louisiana Commission on Children and Youth. Additionally, it defines "youth or youths" as any person who has not yet reached the age of eighteen. These changes are primarily linguistic and definitional, ensuring consistent language across the program's administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates specialty license plates in New Orleans dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation efforts. The plates will generate revenue, with the funds specifically designated to provide grants to licensed wildlife rehabilitators and centers through the NOLA Wildlife Center. The legislation also adjusts the number of plates available and clarifies the name of the organization receiving the money.

Maddy summaryHB 927 is a minor amendment that modifies the wording of a law regarding permits issued by parishes and municipalities. The change removes the phrase "and whose account" and replaces it with "that" in a section dealing with utility providers. This adjustment clarifies the language used when describing specific permit requirements but does not alter the substantive rules or the entities affected. The bill is currently in the legislative process and has been favorably reported by its committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the criminal penalties for individuals who unlawfully disrupt the operation of a school. It directly affects people charged with interfering with school activities by raising the maximum jail time to six months and increasing the maximum fine to $1,000 for lesser offenses. For more serious disruptions, the bill mandates a prison sentence of at least one year and up to five years, which may include hard labor, in addition to potential fines. These changes apply to anyone convicted of violating the existing laws against school disruption.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a specialty license plate in Louisiana featuring the text "LSU Baseball National Champions." The legislation directs the Department of Public Safety to design and sell these plates, which will be available to any vehicle owner in the state. By adding this new option to the list of approved specialty plates, the bill allows drivers to display their support for the LSU baseball team on their vehicles. The text of the law is updated to include this specific plate design within the existing regulations governing vehicle license plates.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public schools in Louisiana to adopt a single, uniform ten-point grading scale for assigning letter grades. Under the new rules, a score of 90 to 100 earns an A, 80 to 89 earns a B, 70 to 79 earns a C, 60 to 69 earns a D, and 0 to 59 earns an F. While this standard applies to most public schools, it explicitly excludes schools operated by the U.S. Department of Defense on military installations and does not apply to charter schools, which remain exempt from this specific mandate. The legislation also removes the previous requirement for the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to oversee the implementation of a grading scale.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a small change to the state constitution to adjust the deadline for passing spending bills. Currently, the law requires such bills to be enacted by November 5, but this amendment would move that date to December 7. The change directly affects the legislative process by giving lawmakers an extra month to finalize budgets before the fiscal year begins. No new programs or funding levels are created; the bill only alters the procedural timeline for how appropriations are approved.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing education laws to ensure that cardiac health information is provided to student athletes and their parents. It specifically clarifies that the state's requirements for this information must be met at a minimum level, removing language that previously suggested a higher standard. The change affects school districts and athletic programs by reinforcing the baseline obligation to share heart health data with families. No new funding or specific testing protocols are added; the text simply adjusts how the current mandate is phrased.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs a specific subcommittee within Louisiana's Children's Cabinet Advisory Board to study the needs of the state's child welfare system. The study will examine challenges faced by children and families receiving services from the Department of Children and Family Services and aim to provide recommendations for improving outcomes and protecting children. The subcommittee is required to submit a written report with its findings and suggestions by February 1, 2025, to the House Committee on Health and Welfare and the state's legislative research library.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Louisiana laws to allow licensed professional counselors and marriage and family therapists to receive supervision through virtual video conferencing. It requires the state board to create specific rules for this remote supervision, ensuring it meets the same standards as in-person training through secure technology. The legislation also modifies experience requirements for licensure, permitting candidates to count up to three thousand hours of supervised practice that includes this virtual format.