Sen. Regina Barrow

Maddy summarySB 125 increases compensation for people wrongfully convicted in Louisiana. It raises the annual payment rate from $25,000 to $40,000 per year incarcerated, with a new maximum total of $600,000 starting August 1, 2026 (up from $400,000 previously). It also allows those convicted before July 2022 to apply for supplemental payments (up to $40,000 annually) by August 1, 2027, and offers a $250,000 lump sum option for new claims filed after July 2022. The bill directly affects Louisiana residents who were wrongfully imprisoned and seek financial redress under state law.

Maddy summarySB 251 establishes the "Louisiana Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2026" to safeguard critical infrastructure - including gas/oil systems, water delivery, telecommunications, power grids, emergency services, and transportation systems - from foreign adversaries. The bill prohibits companies and government entities from entering agreements that allow foreign adversaries (as defined by federal regulations) to access or control critical infrastructure, and bans the use of adversary cameras and laser sensors in Louisiana transportation systems. Companies must certify their access, conduct background checks on employees with infrastructure access, store data outside foreign adversary countries, and report cyber incidents to the Governor's Office of Homeland Security, with exceptions only for unavoidable needs approved by that office. This directly affects businesses and government agencies operating critical infrastructure in Louisiana.

Maddy summaryHB 430, known as the "MJ 911 Act," mandates that Lafayette Parish employers provide lifelong health insurance coverage for surviving spouses and children (including step- or adopted children) of law enforcement officers or firefighters killed in the line of duty. Specifically, it requires employers to pay for health insurance for surviving spouses for life and for children until age 18 (or until 23 if enrolled in school or disabled). The law applies retroactively to January 1, 2017, for all qualifying families and ensures coverage matches what active members receive. It does not require families to accept the coverage, allowing them to decline it if desired.

Maddy summaryHB 321 creates legal protections for victims of human trafficking who committed prostitution-related offenses. It establishes an affirmative defense allowing victims (both minors and adults) to avoid prosecution for crimes like prostitution (R.S. 14:82) or solicitation (R.S. 14:83) if those acts resulted directly from trafficking. The bill also presumes children engaged in prostitution are trafficking victims, exempting them from prosecution and requiring referral to specialized services for sexually exploited children. Adults determined to be trafficking victims must be notified about available support services, while children automatically qualify for existing victim assistance programs under Louisiana law.

Maddy summaryHB 59 requires East Baton Rouge Parish and its cities to fund specific expenses for the 19th Judicial District Court's public defender office, which serves people who cannot afford legal representation. The bill mandates that local governments cover salaries for staff (including public defenders, clerks, and investigators) and operational costs like supplies, travel, and equipment. Funding responsibility is shared proportionally between the parish and individual cities, as determined by their governing authorities. This complements existing state funding and directly affects the office's ability to provide indigent defense services in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Task Force on Secure Firearm Storage to study how to prevent accidental shootings involving children aged thirteen and younger in Louisiana. The task force will examine methods for safely storing firearms at home and may propose new laws that include incentives or penalties for secure storage practices. The committee is composed of representatives from law enforcement, gun retailers, gun owners, and advocacy groups, and it must submit its findings to the legislature by March 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Education to add the contact details of accrediting organizations to the School and Center Finder website. Specifically, it targets nonpublic schools that run prekindergarten programs and are not currently monitored by the state. The goal is to help parents identify which external standards these schools follow, allowing families to make more informed decisions about their children's education. This request does not change any laws or regulations but instead seeks to improve the transparency of information available to the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a procedural resolution that asks the Senate to form a five-member committee to work with a similar House committee. The purpose of this joint committee is to formally inform the Governor that the Louisiana Legislature has finished its work and is prepared to end its session. By adopting this resolution, the Senate sets the stage for the official notification required to conclude the legislative year.

Maddy summaryThis procedural resolution from the Louisiana Senate requests the appointment of a five-member committee to formally notify the House of Representatives that the Senate has completed its work for the session. The bill authorizes the Senate president to select these members, who will then communicate the Senate's readiness to adjourn sine die, effectively ending the legislative session.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally commends Dr. Jasper Roper Jr. for his fifty years of service to Christian Bible College and congratulates the institution on its golden jubilee. The bill recognizes Dr. Roper's leadership as president and the college's long-standing commitment to biblical education and community service since its founding in 1976. It does not create new laws or change policies but serves as an official acknowledgment of these achievements. A copy of the resolution will be sent to Dr. Roper Jr.