Education

passed · Louisiana · House May 26, 2026

HB 1112: EARLY CHILDHOOD: Provides relative to prekindergarten programs

This bill amends Louisiana laws governing prekindergarten programs by removing the requirement that nonpublic prekindergarten programs be licensed as early learning centers, while applying child safety and welfare standards to all school-based prekindergarten programs. The legislation allows the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to approve nonpublic prekindergarten programs and authorizes the board to adopt emergency rules when necessary. Key provisions include revised child-to-staff ratios that vary by age group and a phased implementation schedule, with stricter ratios taking effect starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The bill also clarifies definitions for "camp" and "early learning center" to distinguish between standalone programs and those attached to schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands prekindergarten access by removing restrictive licensing requirements while maintaining safety standards, enhancing early childhood education opportunities.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Louisiana · House May 25, 2026

HB 350: EDUCATION: Provides for students at École Pointe-au-Chien (RE INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 350 creates École Pointe-au-Chien as a public French immersion school serving students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Terrebonne Parish. The bill establishes the school as independent from state education boards, operating under its own board of directors. It specifies the school’s grade levels and location while requiring French immersion instruction as part of its curriculum. This directly affects students enrolled at École Pointe-au-Chien and its governing board.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new public French immersion school, expanding educational access and curriculum options for K-4 students in Terrebonne Parish.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 522: SCHOOLS: Provides for approval for charter schools that specialize in vocational and technical education to meet workforce demands for high demand and high wage jobs. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

This bill creates a new pathway for establishing vocational and technical charter schools in Louisiana that bypass local school boards and go directly to the state board for approval. To qualify, these schools must offer programs aligned with high-demand, high-wage jobs in sectors like manufacturing, technology, and energy, and they must receive a formal resolution of support from the State Board of Commerce and Industry. The legislation allows up to 50% of student enrollment to be reserved for children of employees or residents working in the specific industry the school serves, while also permitting industry representatives to sit on the school's governing board. Additionally, the bill requires charter agreements to include memorandums of understanding with local businesses to provide support such as internships and career counseling.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a specific approval pathway for vocational and technical charter schools, expanding educational access and enhancing student programs for workforce preparation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 1132: SCHOOLS/FINANCE-MFP: Provides for funding any laboratory school operated by a public postsecondary education institution in the University of Louisiana System through the minimum foundation program

This bill ensures that laboratory schools run by public universities in Louisiana, including those under the University of Louisiana System, receive state funding through the Minimum Foundation Program. It updates existing state law to classify these schools as public elementary or secondary schools, making them eligible for annual funding allocations based on a standardized formula. The change directly affects university-operated schools like those at Louisiana State University, Southern University, and institutions such as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Monroe. By including these schools in the funding formula, the legislation aims to provide consistent financial support for their operations without altering their university affiliation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides state funding for laboratory schools through the Minimum Foundation Program, directly advancing public education budget allocations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides state funding for university-operated laboratory schools, classifying them as public elementary/secondary schools eligible for standardized funding allocations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 105: TOPS: Provides relative to TOPS eligibility. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

SB 105 amends Louisiana's TOPS program to expand eligibility for the TOPS-Tech Award to veterans honorably discharged from U.S. military installations located in Louisiana. To qualify, veterans must earn a 17+ ACT score (or equivalent SAT/ACT WorkKeys silver level) and submit their DD-214 discharge documents. The bill specifically applies to the 2020-2023 academic years and targets veterans who served at Louisiana military bases. It modifies existing eligibility rules without changing funding or creating new benefits, focusing solely on qualifying veterans for technical college financial aid.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access for veterans by modifying TOPS-Tech eligibility criteria without reducing funding.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands TOPS-Tech eligibility for Louisiana veterans with military discharge docs, meeting ACT score requirement, directly advancing educational benefits for veterans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 636: COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Provides relative to hazing at public postsecondary education institutions (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 636, the "Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act," requires Louisiana public colleges and universities to prevent, report, and respond to hazing involving student organizations. It defines hazing broadly (including physical brutality, dangerous activities, or substance consumption) and mandates annual hazing education for all students starting fall 2027, plus specific orientation education for new students. The bill also requires student organizations to report hazing incidents to both law enforcement and their institution, and institutions must document all actions and share full details with law enforcement. These provisions directly affect public postsecondary institutions, their students, and all student organizations, including fraternities, sororities, and clubs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates hazing prevention education and reporting in public colleges, enhancing student safety and institutional accountability within higher education.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 351: EDUCATION DEPARTMENT: Provides relative to children and family assistance programs. (8/1/26)

SB 351 modifies Louisiana's Early Childhood Education Fund rules by requiring local entities receiving state funds to provide a 1:1 match from non-government sources to expand childcare slots for families in the Child Care Assistance Program. It specifically targets quality slots in centers serving children under 15 months, limiting eligibility to economically disadvantaged families as defined by the State Board. The bill also expands the Advisory Council's role to advise on early education programs like Head Start and the Child Care Assistance Program. These changes directly affect local childcare providers and low-income families accessing state-funded early education services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands early education access for disadvantaged families by requiring 1:1 non-government match to increase childcare slots for under-15-month-olds.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 14: TEACHERS RETIREMENT: Provides relative to the reemployment of retired members of TRSL in positions eligible for TRSL membership and alternative retiree reemployment options. (2/3-CA10s(29)(F)) (7/1/26) (EN INCREASE APV)

SB 14 allows retired Louisiana teachers to return to eligible teaching positions while receiving partial retirement benefits, affecting those who retired before June 2010, are age 65 or older, or return within 12 months of retirement. Retirees can choose between two options: working with earnings capped at 50% of their original salary (receiving reduced benefits but no additional retirement credits) or suspending benefits to regain full membership during reemployment, with a supplemental benefit calculated upon leaving. The bill requires retirees to pay employee contributions during reemployment but refunds these contributions (without interest) upon termination, while employer contributions are retained. Disability retirees are excluded, and the bill includes reporting requirements with an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables retired teachers to return to classrooms with partial benefits, supporting educator workforce stability and retention in K-12 education.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 28: TEACHERS/CERTIFICATION: Provides relative to the appeals process for teacher certification applicants

HB 28 amends Louisiana's teacher certification appeals process to give the state superintendent of education new authority. It allows the superintendent to override a Teacher Certification Appeals Council's denial of certification if the denial resulted from circumstances beyond the applicant's control (e.g., administrative errors), but not if the certification would conflict with state or federal law. This applies to applicants denied certification after January 1, 2025, including retroactive review of past denials. The bill directly affects educators seeking certification who have been denied by the appeals council. The key change is adding this superintendent override option while maintaining the council's decision as final except under these specific conditions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends appeals process to allow superintendent override of administrative errors in teacher certification, protecting applicants from non-fault denials.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HR 194: STUDENTS: Requests the Louisiana Department of Health and the state Department of Education to provide certain visual acuity screening data to researchers

This resolution asks the Louisiana Departments of Health and Education to share de-identified student vision screening data from 2018 to the present with independent researchers. The requested information includes details such as the year of screening, grade level, visual acuity results, and demographic categories to help analyze long-term trends in student eye health. While the bill does not change existing laws or require immediate action, it seeks to facilitate studies that could inform future decisions about student well-being and educational practices. If the agencies agree to provide the data, researchers will conduct the analysis and report their findings back to the legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill facilitates research on student eye health to improve educational access and student well-being.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill facilitates data sharing to analyze student eye health trends, aiding public health research and future policy improvements.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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