HCR 49 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

HIGHER EDUCATION: Memorializes congress to include physical therapy as a professional degree program for purposes of borrowing limits for students seeking federal aid for postsecondary education

This Louisiana concurrent resolution requests that the United States Congress classify the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree as a professional degree eligible for enhanced federal student loan borrowing limits. The measure aims to allow physical therapy students to access higher levels of federal financial aid, similar to other professional degree programs, rather than being restricted by lower undergraduate loan caps. It specifically targets students pursuing physical therapy education in Louisiana to support workforce development and address healthcare needs in the state. As a memorial resolution, this document does not change state law directly but formally asks the federal government to adjust eligibility rules for student loans.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Governor
Introduced Apr 7, 2026 Last action Jun 2, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

HCR49 Engrossed HCR49 Enrolled · 2 edits · May 29, 2026
MINOR
The bill was finalized for signature (Enrolled) after being reviewed (Engrossed). The primary substantive change is the expansion of the list of degrees eligible for enhanced federal student loan access. Originally, the bill only included physical therapy degrees; the final version now also includes physician assistant and advanced nursing degrees. This broadens the scope to support a wider range of healthcare professionals in rural areas.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from covering only physical therapy programs to include physician assistant and post-baccalaureate nursing degree programs.
ELIGIBILITY

Added the doctor of physical therapy degree, master of physician assistant studies degree, and post-baccalaureate nursing degree (including advanced practice and doctoral nursing) to the list of professional degrees eligible for enhanced federal student loan access.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of eligible professional degree programs to reflect the inclusion of the new healthcare fields alongside physical therapy.

Floor votes · Senate May 26, 2026 · House May 11, 2026

How they voted

360
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 40
May 26, 2026
D Democratic12
10 Yea 2
83% Yea
R Republican28
26 Yea 2
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
5
Committee
3
May 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read by title, roll called, yeas 97, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.
lower
May 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate amendments read and adopted. Read by title and concurred in by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays. Ordered returned to the House.
upper
May 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably.
upper
May 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read by title, roll called on final consideration, yeas 91, nays 0. The resolution was adopted and ordered to the Senate.
lower
Apr 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (10-0).
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Education.
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors