Sen. Heather Cloud

Maddy summarySB 396 requires that children in the custody of Louisiana's Office of Juvenile Justice attend required court review hearings via secure video conference instead of being physically transported. This applies to all children judicially committed to the office's custody, regardless of their physical location (e.g., state facilities or contracted private facilities). The bill mandates the first hearing within six months of commitment, with follow-up hearings every six months thereafter, unless waived by the child's counsel and the court. This change aims to reduce transportation burdens while maintaining the legal requirement for regular judicial reviews.

Maddy summaryHB 9 designates Shreveport as Louisiana's "Stuffed Shrimp Capital" through a ceremonial state symbol designation under R.S. 49:170.26. This procedural bill has no regulatory, financial, or operational impact - it simply adds a symbolic title to Louisiana's official state symbols without altering laws or affecting residents, businesses, or government programs. The bill’s sole provision is the formal recognition of Shreveport’s association with stuffed shrimp, a cultural reference without policy consequences. As a commemorative measure, it does not require implementation mechanisms or budget allocations.

Maddy summaryHB 192 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit foreign adversaries or their agents from expropriating (taking or damaging) private property in Louisiana. It would amend the state constitution to explicitly ban such actions by foreign adversaries, while maintaining existing requirements for just compensation and judicial review of property takings for public purposes. The amendment directly affects property owners by adding a new legal barrier against foreign entities seeking to seize their land or assets. If approved by voters in the November 2026 election, it would become part of Louisiana's Constitution, changing the legal standard for property rights. The bill does not create new government powers but restricts private entities acting as foreign adversaries.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors to rename the LSU Gymnastics Training Center in honor of legendary coach Sara "D-D" Breaux. The bill highlights her four-decade career, during which she transformed the program from a struggling unit into a national powerhouse and built a world-class facility. By formally requesting this name change, the legislature aims to create a permanent tribute to her leadership and legacy within the university community.

Maddy summarySB 32 establishes the Perinatal Bereavement Care Initiative within Louisiana's Department of Health to improve support for families experiencing pregnancy loss or infant death. The bill requires hospitals providing maternity care to receive staff training on supporting grieving parents, access to bereavement resources (like counseling referrals), and perinatal bereavement devices. It prioritizes hospitals serving high-risk patients, delivering many babies, or lacking current bereavement resources. The initiative can fund these services using voluntary monies, including federal grants and donations, without imposing new taxes.

Maddy summarySB 84 requires all health insurance plans sold in Louisiana to cover prostate cancer screening for men aged 40-49 (as medically appropriate) and men over 50, following National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. It mandates that insurers cover these screenings without any out-of-pocket costs for enrollees, including deductibles, copays, or coinsurance. The law applies to new policies starting January 1, 2027, and existing policies must comply by January 1, 2028. This directly affects Louisiana health insurers and their policyholders by guaranteeing no-cost access to recommended prostate cancer screenings.

Maddy summaryHB 636, the "Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act," requires Louisiana public colleges and universities to prevent, report, and respond to hazing involving student organizations. It defines hazing broadly (including physical brutality, dangerous activities, or substance consumption) and mandates annual hazing education for all students starting fall 2027, plus specific orientation education for new students. The bill also requires student organizations to report hazing incidents to both law enforcement and their institution, and institutions must document all actions and share full details with law enforcement. These provisions directly affect public postsecondary institutions, their students, and all student organizations, including fraternities, sororities, and clubs.

Maddy summaryHB 675 designates a specific section of U.S. Highway 425 in Franklin Parish (from Morgan Street to Louisiana Highway 913) as the "Bill Jewel 'Putt' Linder Memorial Highway" to honor an individual. The bill requires the Louisiana Department of Transportation to install and maintain signage for this designation, but only if local or private funds cover the costs (up to $2,250 per sign) without using state funds. This is a commemorative bill with no policy changes or direct impact on residents, businesses, or transportation regulations. It solely involves naming a highway segment and setting conditions for signage implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 39 requires all Louisiana peace officers seeking certification to be U.S. citizens, directly affecting law enforcement applicants and current officers needing certification. The bill adds a citizenship requirement to existing certification standards under Louisiana law (§2404.4), specifying that applicants must be U.S. citizens as defined in federal law (42 USC §9102(18)). It does not alter training or other existing qualifications but mandates citizenship as a new baseline for certification. This policy change applies to all law enforcement peace officers in Louisiana, including those employed by local police departments and sheriff's offices.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how victims of sex offenses can access their personal information in public records by requiring them to submit supporting documentation when making a request. Specifically, it mandates that victims include a police report, protective order, or final judgment proving their status as a victim or alleged victim of a sex offense along with their access request. The legislative changes renumber certain subsections within the public records law to accommodate this new documentation requirement. This measure directly affects victims of sex offenses seeking to control the public availability of their identifying information. The bill passed the House with unanimous approval and was sent to the Senate for further consideration.