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I’m Telley Madina, a strategist, businessman, and lobbyist from the 7th Ward of New Orleans, with over two decades of experience in advocating for disenfranchised communities. My journey has taken me from local politics to national campaigns, always with a focus on championing causes such as minority rights and environmental sustainability. I currently lead The Madina Group Consulting, a multi-disciplinary lobbying and project management firm. I want regular people to understand the changes to the laws because I believe that informed citizens are empowered citizens. By staying informed, you can better protect your rights and advocate for your communities effectively, navigating and influencing the legal and political landscape that impacts your daily lives.
New Laws That Could Affect You in New Orleans
A number of new laws signed this legislative session by Governor Jeff Landry could significantly impact regular folks in New Orleans. Here’s what you need to know:
New Gun Laws, Effective July 4, 2024
Key Points of Senate Bill No. 1:
- Concealed Carry Without a Permit: People 18 years old and older can carry a concealed handgun without needing a permit, as long as they are not prohibited from having a firearm under federal or state law.
- Active Duty Military and Veterans must carry proof of their status, such as a military ID or a veteran designation on their driver's license.
Restrictions and Prohibited Areas:
- Guns cannot be carried in places where firearms are banned by state or federal law, such as schools or government buildings.
- Property owners can prohibit concealed carry on their premises. You cannot bring a firearm into any business or public place that has posted signs prohibiting firearms.
- Concealed handguns cannot be carried into someone else's home without their explicit permission.
Key Points of Senate Bill No. 2:
- Authorized individuals who use their concealed handgun in self-defense are protected from being sued by the person they defended against. This protection applies to those with valid concealed handgun permits, law enforcement officers, and certain military personnel. Important exceptions to this immunity include acts of gross negligence and intentional misconduct.
New DUI Penalties, Effective July 1, 2024
Stricter Penalties for DUI:
- If you get caught driving drunk, the court will make sure you can’t drive without a special device in your car called an ignition interlock. This device stops the car from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath. For the first offense, you have to use this device for at least 12 months. For the second offense, you have to use it for the first three years of a four-year license suspension.
Changes in Driver’s License Rules:
- If you are caught with a blood alcohol level of 0.15% or higher, you can get a special restricted license, but you must have the ignition interlock device in your car for the entire suspension period. First-time offenders get a two-year suspension and need the device for the first 12 months. Second-time offenders get a four-year suspension and need the device for the first three years.
Other Provisions:
● If you need to drive to work or school, you can apply for a hardship license, but you must have the ignition interlock device in your car. If you refuse to take the breath test, you can still get a restricted license, but you must install the ignition interlock device. Any time you spend with the ignition interlock device installed in your car counts towards your suspension period.
Mandatory Drug Testing for Drug-Related and Violent Crimes, Effective July 1, 2024
Key Points:
- This law increases the availability of drug rehabilitation programs to address substance abuse issues. The bill aims to improve the handling of drug-related offenses by introducing mandatory drug testing and screening for people arrested for drug-related and violent crimes. It increases funding for special drug courts and rehabilitation programs.
What it Includes:
- Mandatory Drug Testing: People arrested for certain drug or violent crimes must take a drug test within 24 hours after the arrest and might be followed by random tests to ensure they are drug-free.
- Drug and Specialty Court Programs: If the initial drug test is positive, the person will be assessed to see if they have a substance use disorder and if they are suitable for a drug or specialty court program.
- Confidentiality of Records: Information from drug tests and screenings is confidential. It can only be shared with people directly involved in the legal process, such as lawyers, treatment professionals, and the court. This information cannot be used in other legal actions or made public without the person’s consent.
- Probation and Rehabilitation: Courts can suspend parts of a sentence for nonviolent felonies if the person is suitable for a drug or specialty court program.
Stricter Parole and Probation Guidelines, Effective for Crimes Committed After July 31, 2024
Probation and Parole Violations:
- Introduces stricter penalties for violations and eliminates parole for nearly all people convicted of crimes that occur after July 31, 2024. It has a constitutionally required exception for juveniles who receive life sentences.
- Impact: Increases consequences for parole and probation violations, aiming to deter non-compliance. This new law does not affect inmates currently incarcerated or on parole.
Truth in Sentencing:
- Ensures offenders serve a substantial portion of their sentences, requiring prisoners to serve 85% of their sentences before they can be released for good behavior. The previous minimum was 35%.
- Impact: Reduces the possibility of early release, aiming to enhance deterrence.
Abortion Medication Tracking Legislation, Effective October 2024
Tracking of Abortion Medication Prescriptions:
- This law classifies mifepristone and misoprostol (commonly referred to as “abortion pills”) as Schedule IV controlled substances, allowing the state to track prescriptions for these drugs in an electronic database.
- Impact: Raises privacy concerns and could deter individuals from seeking legal abortion medications. Potentially affects availability for other medical uses, such as treating miscarriages and inducing labor.
Other Items:
- HB 965: Requires the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board to establish a fixed-rate option for customers. It also sets up an arbitration process for customers who dispute their bills.
- Senate Bill 60 & House Bill 716: These bills make it easier for people to transfer their occupational licenses from other states to Louisiana.
- Senate Bill 166: Prohibits misleading labels on seafood products that indicate imported products are from Louisiana. It also requires restaurants to notify customers when they sell imported crawfish or shrimp.
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