Sen. Adam Bass

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local public school boards in Louisiana to conduct state and federal fingerprint background checks on any chaplain they employ or accept as a volunteer. The new rule applies to both paid staff and unpaid volunteers who serve in schools under the existing chapter governing school chaplains. Before a chaplain can begin their duties, the school must verify they have passed the background screening outlined in state law. This measure aims to ensure safety and compliance by mandating a standardized vetting process for all religious leaders working in public education settings.

Maddy summarySB 195 modifies the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by removing a specific requirement for mandatory employment and training exemptions. This change directly affects individuals currently participating in the program who were previously required to meet certain work or training conditions to maintain their benefits. The bill achieves this by deleting the phrase "mandatory employment and training" from the list of exemptions in the legislative text. Consequently, the program will no longer enforce these specific work mandates as part of its eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that formally expresses the condolences of the Louisiana Legislature on the death of James David Cain, a former state representative and senator. The document honors Cain's life and career by detailing his background as a basketball coach, his military service, and his decades of public service in both the House and Senate. It serves as an official acknowledgment of his contributions to the state and extends sympathy to his surviving family members, including his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Senate Committee on Insurance to investigate how Louisiana's legal system influences the availability and cost of property, casualty, and auto insurance. The study will examine whether current laws or court rulings are contributing to the state's insurance crisis by affecting how insurers calculate risk and set premiums. The committee is required to analyze the relationship between the legal environment and insurance rates, with findings to be shared with the state insurance commissioner and the chief justice of the Supreme Court.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires automobile insurance companies in Louisiana to offer a 25% discount on liability premiums to active-duty military members, reservists, and National Guard personnel based in the state. To help cover the cost of these discounts, insurers receive a tax credit equal to the amount of the discount they provide, with any unused credit refunded without interest. The state insurance commissioner must create specific rules to define which military personnel qualify and to establish the process for verifying eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Louisiana laws to allow guardians and curators to place property and settlement funds for minors and disabled adults into protective trusts. It permits these funds to be managed by a trustee under specific rules, including the option to use special needs trusts that help disabled individuals keep government benefits. The legislation establishes that most trusts can end when the beneficiary reaches adulthood, while trusts for permanently disabled individuals may continue until their death. Additionally, the bill sets a minimum threshold of fifty thousand dollars before courts can order smaller settlement amounts for minors in state custody to be placed in trust.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies existing rules regarding noncompetition agreements specifically for primary care physicians in Louisiana. It limits the geographic scope of such non-compete clauses to the physician's main practice location and no more than two neighboring parishes where the employer operates. Additionally, the bill caps the duration of these restrictions at two years following the end of employment and clarifies that physicians have the right to challenge these terms. These changes aim to provide greater clarity and protection for primary care doctors by defining the boundaries and time limits of post-employment non-compete clauses.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Louisiana State Forester to create a training program focused on post-traumatic stress and emotional support for wildland firefighters. The legislation aims to help these workers manage the psychological stress associated with their demanding jobs by establishing an educational initiative. It does not allocate specific funding but rather mandates the state forester to develop this support system as part of their duties. The law applies specifically to individuals who fight wildfires and does not extend to other types of emergency responders.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans to include alternative imaging methods as options alongside standard mammograms. The law applies to all health coverage plans and ensures these non-mammography screening choices are available to policyholders. By mandating the inclusion of these alternatives, the legislation aims to expand the range of diagnostic tools accessible through insurance coverage. The measure was passed by the Senate and is awaiting further action in the House.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for joining insurance companies as defendants in civil lawsuits, primarily affecting plaintiffs, defendants, and liability insurers. It allows courts to add an insurer to a case after a verdict or settlement is reached to ensure the judgment can be enforced, provided the lawsuit falls within the policy's coverage limits and the insurer has not previously denied coverage. The legislation also establishes specific deadlines for insurers to formally notify insured individuals when they decide not to cover a claim or refuse to defend them in court. Additionally, it sets procedures for how insurers must communicate their decision to reserve rights regarding a claim, requiring written notice to the insured and the insured's legal counsel within a set timeframe before trial.