Sen. Rick Edmonds

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Louisiana law to require the state's Interagency Heroin and Opioid Coordination Plan to be submitted annually by March 15th. The plan must include data from the previous calendar year and be sent to the governor, the state legislature leaders, and the chief justice of the Supreme Court. This change directly affects state agencies responsible for creating the plan and the officials who receive the annual report. The legislation aims to improve transparency and oversight of efforts to prevent and educate about heroin and opioid use.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds Tianeptine to Schedule I of Louisiana's Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law. By doing so, it classifies the substance as a drug with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, making its possession, sale, and distribution illegal under state law. The change applies to Tianeptine in any form, including its salts and isomers, unless it is part of a pharmaceutical product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This legislative action directly affects individuals who manufacture, distribute, or possess the substance and law enforcement officers who enforce these regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Advisory Council within the Louisiana Department of Health to provide guidance on issues affecting people with dementia. The council will be composed of specific members, including a representative from the home health industry with dementia experience, and the governor must appoint a caregiver for a person with Alzheimer's or related dementia to the group. The legislation also updates the council's connection to the governor's office of elderly affairs and adjusts the number of members to twenty-two. These changes aim to create a formal advisory body focused on dementia care without altering existing funding or operational procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new specialty license plate in Louisiana dedicated to the Grambling State University World Famed Tiger Marching Band. The plate will be available to any Louisiana vehicle owner, including those driving cars, trucks, and motorcycles, provided there are at least 1,000 applicants. Each plate will cost an additional $25 in royalties, which must be used exclusively to support the university's marching band program, along with a small $3.50 administrative fee. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections is tasked with designing the plate in collaboration with university officials and issuing it once the necessary systems are updated.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for barber colleges in Louisiana by setting the minimum age for student admission at sixteen, with an exception allowing high school freshmen to enroll if the college operates within a high school. It also adds a new section to allow out-of-state registered barbers to apply for a certificate to practice in Louisiana if they meet specific qualifications and pay the required fee. The legislation clarifies that these new provisions apply to both existing and future barbering regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the M.J. Foster Promise Award Program to allow the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance to set specific rules about when students must attend school to qualify for the award. The primary change adds a new provision requiring the agency to define the required attendance period during the year, ensuring clarity on eligibility requirements. These adjustments apply directly to students participating in the program and the administrative body managing it. The legislation does not alter the core funding or award amounts but rather clarifies the administrative guidelines for maintaining eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Course Choice Program to restrict students from enrolling in courses that conflict with guidance from their school counselor or the state department's high school planning resources. Specifically, a student will not be allowed to take a class if their counselor determines it is inappropriate for their chosen major or graduation pathway, or if it contradicts official planning materials. The change directly affects high school students participating in elective course selection and the counselors who advise them. By adding these restrictions, the legislation aims to ensure that course selections align with established academic plans and professional recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the composition of the board for the Jimmy D. Long School for Math, Science, and the Arts. It changes the oversight committee responsible for the school from an unspecified group to the Senate Committee on Education. The legislation ensures that this specific state education committee will manage the school's governance structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that asks Congress to extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, a federal initiative designed to help Louisiana residents afford internet service. The text includes minor wording changes to specify the "private-sector" rather than just "private" in its official description. As a memorial resolution, it does not create new laws or directly change state funding but serves as a formal request to the federal government. The measure has passed the Senate and is currently awaiting action by the House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution expresses the Louisiana Legislature's intent that laws regarding sexual abuse of minors should not have time limits on when victims can file lawsuits. It specifically addresses a recent court ruling that declared previous attempts to revive expired claims unconstitutional, arguing that such time limits do not create permanent rights for the accused. The bill asserts that the state has a legitimate interest in addressing child abuse by allowing victims to seek justice regardless of how much time has passed since the abuse occurred. Ultimately, it serves as a formal legislative statement supporting the removal of expiration dates for these specific legal claims.