Action Alert #13 Important Day at the Capitol – May 7

Two big issues. One day. Your voice matters.

Lawmakers will discuss two issues this Thursday that affect people with disabilities:

1. Emergency Alert for People with Disabilities (SB34) – House Judiciary Committee at 9:00 AM
2. State Budget (HB1) – Senate Finance Committee at 1:00 PM

What You Need to Know

➡️Emergency Alert for People with Disabilities

SB34 updates how Louisiana sends alerts when a person with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) is missing.

What it does:

• Adds Level II Missing Child Advisory into state law
  • Creates “Bryan’s Call” under this alert for missing children with I/DD
• Expands Silver Alerts
  • Creates “Bryan’s Call” under this alert for missing adults with I/DD
• Requires law enforcement to act fast
  • Alerts must be sent right away when rules are met
• Requires use of Wireless Emergency Alerts
  • Sends alerts to phones across the state or local area

Why this matters:

• Some people with disabilities may wander or get lost
• They may not understand danger or ask for help
• Fast alerts can save lives

➡️State Budget

HB1 will decide how the state spends its money beginning July 1.

Good news:

• $250,000 restored for Families Helping Families (FHF)
• $2 million added for Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS)

Concerns:

• No funding to increase home and community services (HCBS) rates
• No funding to increase Direct Support Worker (DSW) pay
• LRS did not get full funding ($6.8 M) needed to draw down all federal money

Fact sheets on all of these issues can be found HERE.

How to Take Action

Put on your yellow and use your voice! Tell legislators how you feel about one or both issues. Contact them by Wednesday, May 6^th!

When you write, include:

• Your name
• Your contact information
• The bill and issue (SB34 or HB1)
• Your opinion (do you or do you not support it)
• A short personal story
• A thank you

➡️Emergency Alert for People with I/DD (SB34)

Email the Committee

[email protected]

Email the Chairman and Vice-Chair

Rep. Robby Carter – [email protected]

Rep. Kathy Edmonston – [email protected]

Email Committee Members

Rep. Jacob Braud – [email protected]

Rep. Emily Chenevert – [email protected]

Rep. Kellee Dickerson – [email protected]

Rep. Jay William Gallé, Jr. – [email protected]

Rep. Kyle Green, Jr. – [email protected]

Rep. Troy Hebert – [email protected]

Rep. Edmond Jordan – [email protected]

Rep. Jeremy LaCombe – [email protected]

Rep. Vanessa LaFleur – [email protected]

Rep. Mandy Landry – [email protected]

Rep. Shane Mack – [email protected]

Rep. Candace Newell – [email protected]

Rep. Joseph Orgeron – [email protected]

Rep. Charles Owen – [email protected]

Rep. Lauren Ventrella – [email protected]

Rep. Jeff Wiley – [email protected]

Rep. Jerome Zeringue – [email protected]

Attend Yellow Shirt Day

• Thursday, May 7^th at 9 AM
• Louisiana State Capitol – Room 1 (House Side)

➡️State Budget (HB1)

Email the Committee

[email protected]

Email the Chairman and Vice-Chair

Sen. Glen Womack – [email protected]

Sen. Heather Cloud – [email protected]

Email Committee Members

Sen. Gerald Boudreaux – [email protected]

Sen. Rick Edmonds – [email protected]

Sen. Michael Fesi – [email protected]

Sen. Jimmy Harris – [email protected]

Sen. Katrina Jackson-Andrews – [email protected]

Sen. Blake Miguez – [email protected]

Sen. Thomas Pressly – [email protected]

Sen. Larry Selders – [email protected]

Sen. Jeremy Stine – [email protected]

Attend Yellow Shirt Day

• Thursday, May 7^th at 1 PM
• Louisiana State Capitol – Room A-B (Senate Side)

Need Help? Contact your LaCAN Leader for support.

You can watch the meetings live on the Louisiana Legislature’s website.

Important: Capitol Building Access
The Capitol is under construction, but it is still open and accessible.

• Use the East Breezeway to enter
• It is on the east side (to the right when facing the building)
• There is a button to open the door automatically

Please review the construction map here and plan your visit.

Stay Informed

All the issues LaCAN and the Council will be following this legislative session can be found on the LaDDC 2026 Bill Tracking List.

Confirm Your Action

• Email your LaCAN Leader after you take action
• Why confirm your action? This helps the Council know how effective we are reaching you with important information and engaging members across our state in advocacy for systems change.

Tips & Tools for Advocacy

Looking for tips and tools to help you in your advocacy? Check out the Council’s Advocacy 101 page. You can also find tips for:

• Writing/emailing your legislators
• Calling your legislators
• Writing your story