Latest news with #SenateBill41
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lawmakers clamp down on child abuse at early learning centers
BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Senate Health and Welfare Committee advanced legislation this week aimed at closing gaps in child abuse investigations at early learning centers. The bill moved forward following a heartbreaking testimony from a family whose three-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted by a classmate at an unlicensed private school. Senate Bill 41, introduced by Sen. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, aims to clarify who holds responsibility for investigating child-on-child abuse in early education settings and strengthen oversight of unlicensed early learning centers. They include some day care centers and pre-kindergarten programs that are not currently required to follow Louisiana Department of Education guidelines. Louisiana House passes bill that aims to stop reservation reselling without restaurant consent The proposal gained urgency after a powerful testimony from a Jefferson Parish family. The father, a member of the Army National Guard, testified that he discovered blood in his daughter's underwear after picking her up from school and helping her change into her leotard for gymnastics practice. His daughter later told him a classmate had touched her inappropriately. 'We immediately sought medical help at Children's Hospital in New Orleans,' the father told the committee. 'The weeks that followed, my mental health would be equivalent to, if not worse than, my combat deployment to Iraq.' The family explained how the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office initially refused to investigate, citing the children's young age, and how the Department of Children and Family Services (DFCS) stated that the matter fell under law enforcement's jurisdiction. It was not until weeks later that a detective was assigned to the case. 'Everybody is pointing fingers at each other,' the mother proclaimed. She explained that no agency would take responsibility for the case. That led her to pull her child out of school and have her father-in-law travel down from New York to help care for the children. Under current law, public schools are required to conduct criminal background checks on employees but are not mandated to consult DCFS's child abuse registry. 'We need to get this gap closed,' Sen. Barrow said. 'There is no reason this school shouldn't be treated like any other school.' SB41 would require all schools, public and private, to conduct both criminal history checks and consult the child abuse registry before hiring staff. It also aims to define which agency must respond when incidents like the one experienced by the Jefferson Parish family occur. Bill revives effort to criminalize non-consensual STD exposure in Louisiana State child ombudsman Kathleen Ritchie testified that such incidents often stem from a history of trauma and said both alleged perpetrators and victims must be assessed and connected to services. 'We've failed this child, and we need to fix this problem,' said Sen. Jay Luneau. 'We've got to do better.' The bill also includes amendments that limit registry background checks to school employees hired after August 1, 2018, and exempt certified teachers from duplicate checks already completed by schools. The bill received strong support from the committee and heads to the Senate floor. 'RuPaul's Drag Race' star has most of leg amputated due to serious infection Trump: Pledge to end Ukraine war on first day in White House 'said in jest' Baton Rouge police investigating possible hit-and-run that left man hurt Consumer sentiment falls to lowest level since postpandemic inflation peak Federal authorities arrest Wisconsin judge Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Louisiana senator authors bill modifying child abuse, neglect laws
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—A member of the Louisiana State Senate is proposing a bill that would significantly modify state laws related to child abuse and neglect. Senate Bill 41, authored by Senator Regina Barrow, provides precise changes in reporting and investigating cases of child abuse and neglect, and puts protections in place to prevent those who are placed on the Department of Children and Family Services' state central registry from gaining employment in schools and facilities that provide supervisory or disciplinary authority over children. Mother arrested for leaving young children unsupervised while working The 36-page bill includes language that would give the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) authority to deny an 'educator credential or teaching authorization' to a person who has been convicted of or entered a plea of no contest to any crimes included in R.S. 15:587.1 or any felony contained in the the DCFS state central registry. As written, the hiring compliance would apply to city, parish, or other local public school board, nonpublic school, or school system employees performing the duties of a bus operator, substitute bus operator, janitor, or temporary, part-time, or permanent school employee of any kind. There is also a self-reporting requirement for administrators, teachers, or other school employees to report convictions and guilty or no contest pleas (traffic offenses excluded) for criminal offenses within two business days of resolution to their district employers and the Louisiana Department of Education. Failures to report such legal interactions will be subject to fines. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gov. Lujan Grisham signs 60 bills into law
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signs Senate Bill 3, which seeks to rebuild the state's behavioral health system, during a signing ceremony at the New Mexico Legislature on Feb. 27, 2025. (Photo by Austin Fisher / Source NM) Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday signed five dozen bills on topics running the gamut from emergency services and elections to public safety and psychedelic mushroom therapy. She signed Senate Bill 41, mandating New Mexico establish an alert system for missing Indigenous people, a move praised by the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women. 'Today, we celebrate a victory for Native communities across New Mexico and beyond,' CSVANW Executive Director Tiffany Jiron said in a statement. 'The signing of SB41 is not just a policy achievement, it's a victory for every Native mother, daughter, sister, and aunt who has ever been impacted by the violence that continues to ravage our communities…The Turquoise Alert System is a powerful tool that will help law enforcement act quickly when a Native person goes missing, providing the necessary resources to respond with urgency and care.' Senate Bill 16, which allows independent voters to participate in primary elections without changing voter registration (Lujan Grisham signaled at the end of the session she liked this proposal). Other important legislation the governor signed includes: House Bill 458, which establishes the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department's authority to regulate carbon sequestration — pumping carbon dioxide into the ground. The bill collects fees for injection and establishes a fund to cover the costs of liability for ensuring carbon stays stored underground. HB458 passed on a 26-11 vote after contentious debate in the Senate's final late-night session. The governor also signed off on Senate Bill 57, which creates an exemption in the state's public records laws for any records that contain 'personal identifying information or sensitive information,' of public sector abortion providers. Senate Bill 219, which establishes a program for medicinal use of psilocybin mushrooms. Senate Bill 364, which allows immigrants authorized to work by the federal government to become police officers in New Mexico. While the governor vetoed a more comprehensive set of reforms to the state's parole system, she did sign Senate Bill 375, which allows early discharge for people who comply with probation and removes payment of court and parole costs as a condition of parole eligibility. The governor has until April 11 to act on legislation, such as signing into law or vetoing legislation. If a bill goes unsigned after the deadline, it is not enacted — called a pocket veto. Four bills contain 'emergency clauses,' meaning they went into effect as soon as the governor signed them. House Bill 206 authorizes the New Mexico Finance Authority to loan money to 62 public entities for water infrastructure projects, and Senate Bill 115 authorizes loans for up to $1 million to an additional 200 public entities, such as schools, cities and local governments. Senate Bill 33 creates a Wildfire Prepared Program in the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department's Forestry Division to provide technical assistance and training to help structures and properties in high-risk areas survive wildfire. Senate Bill 66 exempts the Early Childhood Education and Care Department; the Children, Youth, and Families Department; the Public Education Department; and other agencies considering people applying for caregiver roles from the Criminal Offender Employment Act, which prohibits employers from automatically barring people from job opportunities because of their criminal history. Here is the complete list of bills that Lujan Grisham signed into law on Monday: House Bill 41: Public Project Fund Appropriations House Bill 071: Early Childhood Ed & Care Fund Transfers House Bill 99: Nonrepairable Vehicle Certificates House Bill 101: Firearm At Polling Place for Law Enforcement House Bill 102: Violent Felonies for Meritorious Deduction House Bill 131: Caregiver Background Checks House Bill 159: Energy Project Siting & Military Bases House Bill 167: Higher Ed. Payment for Certain Tests House Bill 174: Pharmacy Reimbursement for Certain Plans House Bill 192: Digital Trunked Radio System Subscriber Fees House Bill 206: NMFA Water Project Fund Projects House Bill 233: Diabetic Foot Ulcer Equipment Coverage House Bill 244: Magistrate Judge Minimum Age House Bill 251: Ed. Retirement Beneficiary Changes House Bill 281: Hair Braiding Licensure House Bill 298: Local Government Official Changes House Bill 323: Engineer Licensure House Bill 340: DNA Of Certain Offenders in CODIS House Bill 357: Mi Via Waiver Program Provider Gross Receipts House Bill 361: EMNRD Conversion of Certain Wells House Bill 402: Health Insurance Provider Info Loading House Bill 431: Appointment Of Watershed Boards House Bill 439: Public Safety Telecommunicator CPR Training House Bill 458: Carbon Dioxide Storage Stewardship Act House Bill 553: Timber Grading Act House Bill 586: Review Of Certain Healthcare Transactions House Bill 618: Clarify DoIT Role on Agency Projects Senate Bill 007: Storm Water Service as Municipal Utility Senate Bill 008: Veterinary Medical Loan Repayment Program Senate Bill 016: Non-Major Party Voters in Primary Elections Senate Bill 033: Wildfire Prepared Act Senate Bill 037: Strategic Water Reserve Fund Senate Bill 039: Add Classes to Prior Authorization Drugs Senate Bill 041: Turquoise Alert System Senate Bill 053: Prescribing Psychologist Psychotropics Senate Bill 057: Medical Provider Patient IPRA Info Senate Bill 066: Criminal Offender Employment Exemptions Senate Bill 072: Nonprofit Condo Assoc. Remote Business Senate Bill 083: Innovation in State Government Fund Senate Bill 100: Indebtedness Limit of Arroyo Flood Control Senate Bill 101: Increase Certain Livestock Fees Senate Bill 113: Board & Commission Sunset Dates Senate Bill 115: Public Project Revolving Fund Projects Senate Bill 127: Movie Exemption from Barber & Cosmetic Act Senate Bill 155: Determination of Embezzlement Penalty Senate Bill 169: Strategic Economic Development Site Readiness Senate Bill 170: NMFA Definitions, Funds & Rates Senate Bill 201: Public Ed. Reform Fund Uses Senate Bill 219: Medical Psilocybin Act Senate Bill 236: Look Twice for Motorcycle License Plate Senate Bill 252: Social Work Telehealth Services Senate Bill 274: Board of Finance Approval for Land Sales Senate Bill 353: Search & Rescue Emergency Responses Senate Bill 364: Law Enforcement Qualifications Senate Bill 375: Probation & Parole Changes Senate Bill 376: State Employee Health Benefit Contributions Senate Bill 387: Community School Fund & Framework Senate Bill 401: Broadband for Education Senate Bill 481: State Fairgrounds District Act Senate Bill 535: Public Peace, Health, Safety & Welfare State Fees & Funds SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Mexico set to create ‘Turquoise Alert' system for missing Indigenous people
From left, Sen. Angel Charley, D-Acoma, and Rep. Michelle Paulene Abeyta, D-To'hajiilee, prepare to introduce Senate Bill 41, creating a Turquoise Alert system, on Feb. 7, 2025. (Bella Davis/New Mexico In Depth) New Mexico is set to become the fourth state to create an alert system meant to help find Native Americans who have gone missing. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham plans to sign Senate Bill 41 into law, establishing a Turquoise Alert system, according to her office, after the bill passed both chambers of the Legislature unanimously. Operating much like the state's Amber Alert system for abducted children, Turquoise Alerts would be issued for people who are enrolled in or eligible for enrollment in a federally or state-recognized tribe and are missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances or are at heightened risk due to health concerns or disabilities. Colorado, California and Washington have established similar alerts. Since Washington's system was created in 2022, 114 alerts had gone out as of August last year, and 111 of those people were located, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. This story was originally published by New Mexico In Depth Lawmakers in New Mexico have passed a couple other bills in recent years responding to a national crisis of Indigenous people disproportionately going missing and being killed. There are 186 Indigenous people missing from the state, according to the state Department of Justice, and the average number of days missing is 1,662, or about four and a half years. The alert is especially needed on reservations, where jurisdictional confusion and understaffed law enforcement agencies are major obstacles to public safety, said Rep. Michelle Paulene Abeyta (Diné), a Democrat from To'hajiilee and one of the bill's sponsors. 'When someone goes missing, we're combining our own resources outside of law enforcement and any actual government-run entity to try to locate our missing loved ones,' Abeyta said Monday in an interview. 'We know how important this is and how the lack of resources just isn't fair for us and the jurisdictional issues that get in the way. It's not right.' In the '90s, when she was a child, Abeyta's mother went missing. She was taken to a remote area and 'beaten and left to die,' Abeyta said, before being found a few days later by a person who happened to be in the area. She was brought to a hospital and survived, but her recovery was difficult. Abeyta and her co-sponsor Sen. Angel Charley (Laguna/Zuni/Diné), D-Acoma, are 'excited to see how this is going to help improve the lives of so many families that for a long time needed some type of solution, some type of resource to go to,' Abeyta said. While helping solve logistical barriers, the alert system would also raise awareness about the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people, Charley said in an interview Friday. Charley, who used to be the executive director of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, referenced Ashlynne Mike, an 11-year-old Diné girl who was kidnapped and murdered in northwestern New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation, in 2016. Law enforcement didn't issue an Amber Alert until the day after she went missing due to 'misunderstandings and jurisdictional hurdles,' according to the Justice Department. 'You never know if coordination would have happened in a way that was quick and efficient' if there had been greater awareness at the time, Charley said. After lawmakers passed the bill last week, Ashlynne's father contacted Charley, telling her he was going to write to Lujan Grisham and urge her to sign it. 'We do not want other families to go through the trauma we felt,' he wrote in a message Charley shared with New Mexico In Depth with his permission. Indigenous advocates, tribal leaders and police, and lobbyists representing several pueblos also spoke in support of the bill during the session. The bill requires the Department of Public Safety to develop a plan for getting alerts out as quickly as possible and keeping records on each alert, with information including the municipality where the missing person report was made, the date the alert was issued and the date the missing person is recovered. 'Too many Native American families have faced crisis and the heartbreak of a loved one disappearing without the swift response they deserve,' Indian Affairs Secretary Josett Monette, whose agency developed the bill, said in a statement. 'The Turquoise Alert system is a critical step forward in ensuring that missing Native American people are prioritized in the same way as other emergency alerts.' The alert aligns with a state response plan issued by a task force in 2022, Monette told lawmakers last month. That now-defunct task force discussed an alert system for missing Indigenous people, said Darlene Gomez, a task force member and attorney who represents affected families. Gomez suggested that New Mexico should create such an alert during public comment at a December meeting of a new state task force focused on the crisis.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
KRQE Newsfeed: Pena sentenced, Capital outlay, First day of spring, Turquoise alert, 100,000 celebration
13-year-old accused of hitting and killed bicyclist for fun in Albuquerque held Albuquerque City Council votes to let plans move forward for Mesa Film Studios Police arrest man accused of fatal shooting in northeast Albuquerque APS Board of Education defends change in media policy amid criticism Santa Fe County to hold wildfire mitigation and preparedness event New Mexico residents fight to protect their mobile homes from rising rents [1] Man accused of orchestrating shootings at NM lawmakers' homes found guilty – The man accused of being the mastermind behind shootings at four New Mexico lawmakers' homes has been found guilty on all charges. Solomon Peña was charged federally for his role in the shootings which investigators believe was in revenge for his loss during the 2022 election for the New Mexico House of Representatives. [2] Lawmakers seek more than $1.2 billion to fund infrastructure projects in New Mexico – More than 1,400 projects statewide may soon be getting more than a billion dollars in funding. This comes after lawmakers passed the capital outlay bill through the House. The funding will go towards upgrades for Balloon Fiesta Park, a new facility at the University of New Mexico, the Domingo Baca Aquatic Center, and improving water lines and fire stations, especially in rural communities. [3] Warmer weather on first day of spring for New Mexico – Breezier and warmer weather returns Thursday, bringing a critical fire danger back to parts of New Mexico. Much warmer and calmer weather will move in by early next week. Breezier conditions will occasionally return late this week into the weekend with relatively mild air returning as little to no precipitation will fall ahead, even for the northern communities. [4] Turquoise Alert System for missing Indigenous people heads to governors desk – A bill aimed at addressing the missing and murdered indigenous people crisis in the state is heading to the governor's desk. Lawmakers say on average more than 200 indigenous people are missing in New Mexico at any given time. Senate Bill 41 would create a new alert system called 'Turquoise Alert.' It would send a statewide notification to law enforcement and the public. The bill now heads to the governor's desk for final action. [5] Albuquerque Community Safety celebrates 100,000 calls for service – Albuquerque Community Safety will be holding a special celebration in recognition of a pivotal achievement. In just over three years of service the department has responded to more than 100,000 calls. ACS is the first civilian-led public safety agency in the country that provides an alternative first response instead of getting the police involved. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
