Maddy summarySB 102 requires the Louisiana Department of Health to ensure statewide access to obstetric care by mandating that no more than 30 miles exist between any obstetric provider. It directs the use of Medicaid funds to support hospitals and satellite clinics offering these services, directly addressing rural "maternity care deserts" where pregnant women currently face long travel times or no local providers. The bill targets Louisiana’s high maternal and infant mortality rates by prioritizing access to pregnancy and childbirth medical care. It applies specifically to residents in areas currently lacking obstetric services, particularly in rural parishes. The law takes effect upon gubernatorial approval or after the legislative session concludes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 169 expands eligibility for a tax credit on local inventory taxes to include farmers, fruitgrowers, and cooperative associations organized for marketing members' products. It allows these groups to claim the credit even if it exceeds their tax liability, providing for refunds or carry-forward of unused credits to future tax years. The bill modifies existing tax code (R.S. 47:6006(A)(4)) to clarify these provisions. This change applies to taxable periods beginning January 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 5 requires Louisiana public school systems to use savings from the Teachers' Retirement System to provide permanent salary increases for teachers and other school employees starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Certificated staff, such as teachers and administrators, must receive at least a $2,000 raise, while non-certificated staff, including aides and clerical workers, must receive at least $1,000. The bill mandates that these salary increases include associated retirement costs and applies to employees on specific leaves, such as military or maternity leave, provided they remain in their approved positions. If a school district does not have enough savings to cover the full amount of these raises, the remaining cost is to be funded through the state's minimum foundation program formula. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that charter schools participating in the state retirement system must also comply with these salary increase requirements.
Maddy summarySB 40 amends the Louisiana Seafood Safety Act to clarify administrative roles within the state's health oversight system. The bill makes minor text changes to remove redundant language and establishes a specific task force to support the commission, with the Senate Health and Welfare Committee chairman serving as its leader. These adjustments aim to streamline how the state manages seafood safety regulations without altering the core safety standards themselves.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing election laws to clarify rules regarding prohibited political materials and establishes specific criminal penalties for violations. It primarily affects media organizations and online service providers by creating exceptions that protect them from liability when they host content without controlling or influencing it. The legislation also defines key terms such as "known candidate," "media entity," and "interactive computer service" to ensure clear application of these new protections. By referencing federal definitions for internet services, the bill aims to align state regulations with established national standards for online content moderation.
Maddy summarySB 62 amends the state's seafood safety regulations by adjusting specific numerical limits within the law. The bill reduces the required number of seafood safety inspections from five to one and lowers associated monetary thresholds from ten thousand to two thousand five hundred dollars. These changes directly affect the Department of Health and Welfare, which oversees seafood safety enforcement. By modifying these specific figures, the legislation alters the frequency and cost parameters for regulatory oversight without changing the overall goal of ensuring seafood safety.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Office of Motor Vehicles to handle vehicle reinstatement applications in person at all its field locations rather than allowing them to be processed remotely. The legislation directly affects drivers seeking to reinstate their licenses or vehicle registrations by mandating an on-site visit for these specific transactions. By removing the option for remote processing, the bill changes the administrative procedure for reinstatements to ensure they occur physically at a DMV office. This change applies to every field location of the agency, standardizing the process across the state.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors John Keller as he retires from his role as Sergeant at Arms of the Louisiana Senate. The document recognizes his military service in Vietnam, where he received a Purple Heart, and his subsequent community contributions, including coaching football and serving in the state legislature. It formally acknowledges his life achievements and sacrifices without creating any new laws or changing government policies.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally commends Sharon Turcan Gahagan for her long-standing contributions to the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts. It honors the dedication of the Sharon Turcan Gahagan Art Gallery, which was named in her memory after she served as the school's board chair. The document highlights her leadership in overseeing major campus projects, such as the Center for Performance and Technology and the Living and Learning Commons, while acknowledging her extensive career in education and community service. This legislative action serves as an official recognition of her legacy rather than establishing new laws or policies.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Terrebonne Parish Communications District to raise the monthly fee it charges wireless phone users for 911 emergency services. While the standard limit for such fees in the state is $1.25 per month, this legislation specifically authorizes the district to charge up to $1.85 per month. The change directly affects residents and businesses in Terrebonne Parish who use wireless telecommunication services. By amending state law, the bill provides the district with the legal authority to collect an additional $0.60 per month per wireless connection to fund emergency communication services.