HB 386 clarifies funding rules for Louisiana charter schools by requiring that Type 1, 3, 3B (non-LEA), and Type 4 charter schools receive per-pupil funding based on the state's minimum foundation program, adjusted for student needs. The bill allows these schools to operate as their own local education agency (LEA) for funding purposes with local school board approval, while Type 2 and 5 charter schools are automatically treated as the LEA. It also authorizes the state to withhold 0.25% of certain fees from charter schools to cover administrative costs for financial oversight. This affects all Louisiana charter schools receiving state funding and standardizes their financial relationship with local districts.
HB 807 establishes a special fund within Louisiana's state treasury to support the Community and Technical College System's workforce training programs. It directly affects community colleges and private-sector employers in high-demand industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology by providing funding to hire more instructors and expand training capacity. Key provisions include using the fund for rapid-response instructor deployment, recruitment incentives, temporary instructors, and salary supplements - while prohibiting these funds from replacing existing state higher education funding. The program requires annual reporting to legislative committees on fund usage, supported industries, and credentials awarded.
HB 821 establishes the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools within the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice. The center will administer school and nonprofit security programs, develop statewide safety frameworks (including threat assessment models), and provide training on emergency planning, facility security, and crisis response to schools and nonprofits. It will coordinate with state agencies like the Department of Education and coordinate emergency notification systems while maintaining data privacy. The bill also creates a 13-member advisory council, including education and law enforcement leaders, to review safety frameworks and recommend grant priorities.
HB 325 revises Louisiana's TOPS-Tech scholarship eligibility by adding a new pathway for students to qualify. Instead of requiring only a minimum GPA or ACT score, students can now qualify by completing at least nine credit hours of early college coursework (through dual enrollment or technical programs) or equivalent validated skills. This change applies to first-time freshmen enrolling in college during or after the 2026-2027 academic year. The bill directly affects Louisiana students seeking this career-focused scholarship by expanding how they can meet academic requirements.
This resolution urges public school officials and employees in Louisiana to follow existing state laws against bullying. It does not create new rules but asks schools to enforce current requirements that mandate anti-bullying policies, reporting procedures, and staff training. The document directs copies of this request to local school superintendents and charter school authorities. By emphasizing compliance with current statutes, the bill aims to ensure consistent enforcement of student safety measures already established by the legislature.
This resolution asks the state Department of Education and local school districts to submit a report by January 1, 2027, on how they are helping students with seizure disorders in schools. The report must cover how seizure action plans are being used, whether staff have completed required training, and how access to prescribed seizure rescue medications is being managed. While existing law already requires seizure training and action plans, this bill seeks to gather data on implementation to identify gaps and improve consistency across the state. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but instead requests information to help the legislature evaluate how well current policies are working.
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.
This bill updates the mathematics course requirements for students to qualify for Louisiana's TOPS scholarship awards, including Opportunity, Performance, Honors, Excellence, and TOPS-Tech programs. It establishes specific math course sequences that students must complete, allowing them to choose between traditional Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II or an alternative integrated mathematics sequence. The law sets different requirements based on graduation year, with some students needing three math units while others need four, and it expands course options for TOPS-Tech recipients to include applied math and computer science classes. These changes directly affect high school students graduating between 2021 and 2030 who wish to receive state scholarship funding.
This Louisiana bill creates a specific offense for battery against school teachers, defined as battery committed when the perpetrator knows the victim is a teacher or targets them due to their job. It sets harsher penalties for non-student offenders (up to 5 years in jail or $5,000 fine) versus students (up to 1.5 years jail with 72 hours mandatory for minor cases, or up to 1 year for injuries requiring medical care). Juvenile offenders under 17 are handled under the Children's Code, requiring court-approved counseling (costs borne by the family) and secure detention for teens 14+ who commit this crime. The law applies to all school teachers during work duties and modifies juvenile court procedures for such offenses.
HB 218 requires Louisiana public schools to screen all students in grades K-12 for food insecurity at enrollment and once per semester, plus during school health clinic visits. The bill mandates using a free, age-appropriate screening tool selected by the state Department of Education and Health, with results kept confidential except for parents/guardians or authorized school staff. Schools must refer identified students to resources like meal programs, food pantries, and public assistance. Charter schools are exempt from this requirement under Section 3996(B)(24), but the bill applies directly to public school students and their families.
