Sen. Jay Morris

Maddy summarySB 141 transfers administrative oversight of the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board from the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (which operates under the governor) to the Louisiana Supreme Court. The Supreme Court will now provide the board with necessary staff, clerical support, and technical resources as outlined in the amended law. This change does not alter the board’s core function of managing Louisiana’s criminal justice data system but shifts its governance to the judicial branch. The bill is pending in the Judiciary Committee as of its prefiled date.

Maddy summarySB 306 creates a new criminal offense in Louisiana for obstructing freedom of worship at churches or other places of worship. It prohibits specific actions including using force to intimidate attendees, damaging church property, blocking lawful access to the building, or engaging in disruptive activities during scheduled worship services. Violations carry fines up to $25,000 and imprisonment up to 18 months for repeat offenses, with enhanced penalties if bodily injury occurs. The law directly affects individuals who interfere with religious gatherings on private religious property, aiming to protect the orderly conduct of worship as defined by the bill.

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 summaryHB 102 creates a new criminal offense for "second degree cruelty to elderly and persons with infirmities," targeting intentional or negligent mistreatment causing serious injury to vulnerable individuals. It directly affects caregivers - including family members, neighbors, nursing homes, and care facilities - and applies to elderly people (60+), those with disabilities, or individuals in residential care settings. Key provisions define the crime, set penalties of up to 40 years in prison (with a mandatory minimum of 5 years if death occurs), and include an affirmative defense for spiritual healing methods. The bill also designates this offense as a "crime of violence" under Louisiana law, impacting sentencing in related cases.

Maddy summaryHB 98 strengthens protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking by creating criminal penalties for unauthorized disclosure of their confidential information. The bill prohibits individuals from intentionally releasing, disclosing, transferring, or disseminating victim-identifying details - such as abuse status, family members, or agency involvement - and imposes fines up to $2,500 or up to one year in prison for violations. It also shields community shelters from liability if staff or others unlawfully disclose such information. These provisions apply to service providers, law enforcement, and agencies handling victim cases, ensuring sensitive data remains confidential. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes to prevent re-victimization through information leaks.

Maddy summarySB 107 sets April 17, 2027, as a statewide election date specifically for Louisiana voters to approve or reject proposed constitutional amendments. The bill requires that any constitutional amendments approved by both legislative chambers during the 2026 regular session must be submitted to voters in this election. If no such amendments are approved by the 2026 session, the bill becomes void and has no effect. This is a procedural bill establishing a voting mechanism, not a policy change affecting specific groups or programs.

Maddy summarySB 173 changes Louisiana's rules for how banks handle garnishments (where a bank must pay a debtor's money to a court). It allows banks to immediately pay the sheriff up to $1,000 in a debtor's account without a court order, if they admit holding the funds and face no opposition. For amounts over $1,000, banks must wait 30 days after filing their answer before paying the sheriff. The bill applies to banks but excludes wage, salary, or commission garnishments. This directly affects banks and debtors in civil judgment cases.

Maddy summaryHB 691 requires Louisiana’s secretary of state to annually check all registered voters against the federal SAVE system (which verifies citizenship for benefits) before federal elections. It mandates that potential noncitizen registrations identified through this check be investigated by the Division of Election Integrity, with findings sent to prosecutors. If confirmed noncitizens, their voter registrations may be challenged by parish registrars under existing law. The bill also requires annual reports to the legislature detailing checks performed, challenges issued, and cancellations, while requiring secure handling of voter data per state and federal standards. This procedural bill directly affects Louisiana voters whose citizenship is verified through this system.