Education

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 325: TOPS: Provides relative to TOPS-Tech (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds alternative pathway for TOPS-Tech eligibility via early college coursework, expanding access to higher education scholarships for Louisiana students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SB 157: SCHOOLS: Provides for paid parental leave for eligible employees. (gov sig) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

SB 157 would require Louisiana public school districts to provide eligible educators with six weeks (240 hours) of paid parental leave at 100% of base pay for qualifying events like birth, adoption, foster placement, or pregnancy loss. This applies to full- or part-time school employees with at least one year of service, covering both parents who are eligible. Schools must adopt written policies, provide advance notice to employees about their rights, and prohibit counting this leave as an absence that could lead to disciplinary action. The bill does not override existing better benefits in union contracts or other laws but mandates this new standard for public school employees.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides paid parental leave for educators, directly supporting teacher retention and well-being in K-12 schools.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides 6 weeks paid parental leave (100% base pay) for school employees, expanding worker benefits and protecting parental rights per bill language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 749: FUNDS/INVESTMENTS: Authorizes the Louisiana Tuition Trust Authority to contract with a program manager for the administration of certain savings accounts (ABLE, START, and START K12 programs) and the investment of account funds (EN +$4,000,000 GF EX See Note)

HB 749 authorizes Louisiana’s Tuition Trust Authority to hire a private program manager to administer three existing savings programs: ABLE (for people with disabilities), START (for college savings), and START K12 (for K-12 education). It allows the authority to contract with this manager for account management and investment of funds after December 31, 2026, or when the contract is signed - whichever comes later. Until that date, the state continues managing interest rates, investments, and fund transfers under current rules. The bill updates statutes to formalize this transition and requires coordination with the state treasurer and legislative leaders. This change affects how Louisiana’s education savings programs operate, shifting administrative control to a contracted provider while maintaining existing program structures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes administration of START K12 savings program, supporting K-12 educational funding access through private management contracts for savings accounts.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 271: EDUCATION: Creates the Louisiana Commission on Foundational Education and abolishes the Louisiana Literacy Advisory Commission (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 271 creates the Louisiana Commission on Foundational Education to evaluate and recommend improvements for K-8 foundational literacy and numeracy programs, replacing the dissolved Louisiana Literacy Advisory Commission. The new commission, composed of diverse stakeholders including educators, parents, state officials, and experts, will research education policies, analyze data, and develop evidence-based recommendations for early education practices. It must submit annual reports to the governor, legislature, and education boards, with the state Department of Education providing staff support and transferring the old commission's records. The bill directly affects Louisiana's K-8 education system by establishing a permanent advisory body focused on early skill development.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates commission to evaluate and improve K-8 literacy/numeracy programs through evidence-based recommendations, strengthening foundational education practices.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

in committee · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HCR 119: HIGHER EDUCATION: Establishes the Louisiana College without Debt Commission

This bill directs the Louisiana Board of Regents to conduct a comprehensive study on the state's need-based financial aid programs. The study must examine eligibility rules, how well current aid meets student needs, and how these programs align with workforce goals. It also requires comparing Louisiana's approach with other states and identifying barriers that prevent students from accessing available help. The Board of Regents must submit its findings and recommendations to several legislative committees by February 15, 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a commission to study and improve financial aid, aiming to expand access and reduce debt for higher education students.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 1058: TOPS: Requires the Board of Regents to establish and maintain a data administration system for the collection of uniform data on all state financial assistance (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

This bill requires Louisiana's Board of Regents to create a data system for collecting consistent information on all state financial aid programs. It directly affects postsecondary institutions that accept students receiving Taylor Opportunity Program for Students awards, as they must submit the required data. The system will track financial aid trends, effectiveness, and student outcomes to help evaluate how well these programs work. Institutions must follow the specific data format determined by the administering agency to ensure uniform reporting across the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes data system to track financial aid effectiveness and student outcomes, improving program evaluation and educational access for postsecondary institutions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 407: HIGHER EDUCATION: Provides relative to initial eligibility requirements for the M.J. Foster Promise Program (EN -$1,100,000 SD EX See Note)

HB 407 lowers the minimum age requirement for Louisiana's M.J. Foster Promise Program, a state-funded higher education assistance program. The bill phases in reduced age thresholds over several academic years: applicants must be at least 20 for 2024-2025, 19 for 2025-2026, 18 for 2026-2027, and 17 for 2027-2028 onward. This change directly affects prospective college students seeking program eligibility based on their age at application. The policy modifies existing eligibility rules to allow younger applicants to qualify for tuition assistance at Louisiana public colleges and universities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationLowers age requirement for state-funded higher education program, expanding access to assistance for younger students by reducing eligibility barriers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 351: CORRECTIONS: Provides relative to the reentry preparation program (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 351 repeals two specific provisions related to Louisiana's reentry preparation program for formerly incarcerated individuals. It removes a requirement (R.S. 15:827.1(E)) about reentry programs and eliminates an entrepreneurial educational curriculum component within that program. This bill directly affects inmates participating in Louisiana's reentry programs by removing these specific policy requirements from state law. The change is procedural, with no new requirements or funding added.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves entrepreneurial curriculum from reentry program, reducing rehabilitation components per bill summary95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRemoves entrepreneurial educational curriculum component from reentry program, directly eliminating an educational requirement for formerly incarcerated individuals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 399: COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Creates the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council. (1/1/27) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 399 creates the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to protect the state's colleges and universities from foreign adversaries. The law requires institutions to report and restrict gifts, contracts, research partnerships, and academic collaborations with entities from countries or groups designated as foreign adversaries, while prohibiting certain travel and gifts from such sources. It defines key terms like "foreign adversary" and "foreign source," and includes penalties for violations, such as the theft of trade secrets. The bill directly affects all Louisiana institutions of higher education that grant degrees or have a physical presence in the state.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts foreign research partnerships and gifts at universities, limiting academic collaborations per security mandates.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

passed both · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HCR 14: EDUCATION: Expresses support for federal efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and memorializes congress to fully cooperate with these efforts

This resolution expresses support for federal efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and asks Congress to cooperate with those efforts. It directly affects the Louisiana Legislature by formally recording its position on a federal policy change. The bill cites the Tenth Amendment to argue that education powers should remain with states rather than the federal government. It does not create new laws or change state education policy, but rather sends a message to the federal government about Louisiana's stance on the issue.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill seeks to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, which would restrict federal educational oversight and programs affecting K-12 and higher education.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

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