A newly signed bill will go into effect January 1st, reducing the time a person can receive unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to 12 to 20 depending on the state’s unemployment rate. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
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The first round of benefits will be added to EBT for the Summer EBT also known as Sun Bucks this week. Brooke Thorington explains…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Governor Jeff Landry vetoed the Collateral Source bill that would have allowed juries to determine damages for victims of accidents using actual medical costs versus costs billed by providers. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
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A newly signed bill that goes into effect January 1st will reduce unemployment benefits to twelve to 20 weeks depending on the state’s unemployment rate. Bill author, Jennings Republican Representative Troy Romero says 26 weeks is far too generous.
Cut 4 (12) “…employees.”
The legislation keeps unemployment benefits at $250 a week. Romero says unemployment is designed to be a safety net for adults who lose their jobs and it’s not intended to be a long-term benefit.
Cut 5 (11) “…important.”
The new law says a jobless individual can receive up to 12 weeks of benefits when the unemployment rate is below five-percent and as much as 20 weeks when the unemployment rate is above five percent. Romero says an individual can get an additional eight weeks of unemployment if they undergo workforce development training.
Cut 6 (10) “…for the State.”
The current unemployment rate in the state is 4.3 percent from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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The first phase of SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, is being issued this week. Tim Jenkins with the Department of Children and Family Services says approximately 300,000 children between the ages of five and 18 who received SNAP during the 2023-24 school year will receive $120 on their card.
Cut 7 (10) “…be loaded.”
SUN Bucks is a federal program to help provide grocery benefits for eligible families during the summer months when children are not receiving meals at school.
The second phase of Sun Bucks benefits will begin in late July. He says those will include children…
Cut 8 (09) “…lunch program.”
Those schools will be sending DCFS information to certify those students.
Phase 3 is for children who attended schools that offered free lunches for all students, but the individual student has not applied for EBT.
Cut 9 (09) “…or phase 2.”
To check your benefits, order a replacement card, apply, or other information concerning SUN Bucks visit dcfs.louisiana.gov
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Governor Jeff Landry signed off on legislation to allow judges the option to add surgical castration to a convicted sex offender’s sentence if the victim is under the age of thirteen. Baton Rouge Democrat, Senator Regina Barrow believes the bill she authored will deter such abuse against children.
Cut 10 (10) “…castration.”
The bill received bipartisan support in the 2024 Regular Legislative Session.
Judges already have the option to add chemical castration to an offender’s sentence regardless of the victim’s age, but this bill allows for surgical castration depending on the victim’s age. Barrow believes a permanent procedure is warranted when children are violated.
Cut 11 (10) “…actually stop.”
Barrow says she hopes the new law sends a message, loud and clear, of what can happen to individuals who sexually abuse children in Louisiana…
Cut 12 (07) “…lifestyle change.”
The law applies to both male and female offenders and requires a medical expert to determine if the procedure can be safely performed on the offender.
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Governor Jeff Landry vetoed the Collateral Source bill that would allow juries to determine damages awarded for victims of accidents using actual medical costs versus the initial costs billed by providers. Governor Landry…
Cut 13 (12) “…health insurance.”
Landry says the Collateral Source doctrine protects those who have obtained health insurance and receive benefits. Landry believes this bill would take away and give the benefits to the uninsured.
Cut 14 (09) “..coverage.”
State Senator Greg Miller says he’s disappointed but believes Landry wants to be fair to everybody and plans to author legislation once a compromise has been reached.
Cut 15 (12) “…four years ago.”
Louisiana Association of Business and Industry CEO Will Green says a key part of the insurance reform package was the Collateral Source bill and Landry’s veto is incredibly disappointing and believes his reasoning is flawed.
Cut 16 (11) “…you whole.”
The bill passed the House in a 88-10 vote and 25-14 vote in the Senate.